If you are planning a trip overseas and may rent a vehicle to get around, take the time beforehand to investigate the driving regulation of the country you are planning to visit. It is important to be aware of the rules of the road in other countries, and the fact that road conditions can vary widely. It is also important to be aware of security concerns when driving abroad. American Citizens traveling abroad should also be aware of the dangers of potentially reckless behavior, including careless driving or driving under the influence. It should also be noted that penalties for persons judged responsible for automobile accidents resulting in injury or fatalities are treated very seriously by foreign authorities and can result in extremely stiff prison sentences. Again, driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants can have severe criminal penalties in other countries.

Tips on driving abroad

* Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP).
* Carry both your IDP and your state driver's license with you at all times. As many countries have different driving rules. If possible, obtain a copy of the foreign country’s rules before you begin driving in that country. Information may be available from the foreign embassy in the United States, foreign government tourism offices, or from a car rental company in the foreign country.
* Some countries have a minimum and maximum driving age.
* Certain countries require road permits, instead of tolls, to use on their divided highways, and they will fine those found driving without a permit.
* Always "buckle up." Some countries have penalties for people who violate this law.
* Many countries require you to honk your horn before going around a sharp corner or to flash your lights before passing.
* Before you start your journey, find out who has the right of way in a traffic circle.
* If you rent a car, make sure you have liability insurance. If you do not, this could lead to financial disaster.
* If the drivers in the country you are visiting drive on the opposite side of the road than in the U.S., it may be prudent to practice driving in a less populated area before attempting to drive in heavy traffic.
* Always know the route you will be traveling. Have a copy of a good road map, and chart your course before beginning.
* Do not pick up hitchhikers or strangers.
* When entering your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.

It is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in many countries. You should check with the Embassy of the country where you plan to reside, to find out more about driver’s license requirements. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Consular Information Sheet for each country.

Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver’s license. Some, however, will accept an international driver’s permit. They’re inexpensive, easy to obtain through AAA, and they’re honored as identification in more than 150 countries. The permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into 10 languages.

AAA (American Automobile Association) is the only authorized provider of International Driving Permits in the United States.

- Click here for an online application - or go to your local AAA office.

International Driver's Permit Requirements -

* You must be at least 18 to apply for an IDP.
*You must have a VALID drivers license.
These licenses are not intended to replace valid U.S. state licenses and should only be used as a supplement to a valid license. IDPs are not valid in an individual’s country of residence.
* IDPs are valid for one year and are not renewable.

An IDP is valid only when accompanied by your U.S.-issued driver’s license.

Geographical Areas Which Honor International Driving Permits (Convention on Road Traffic, United Nations, Geneva 1949) as of June, 2005
AFGHANISTAN* ALBANIA ALGERIA ANGOLA* ANGUILLA*/** ANTIGUA*/** ARGENTINA*** ARMENIA* ARUBA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN* BAHAMAS BAHRAIN* BANGLADESH BARBADOS** BELARUS* BELGIUM BELIZE BENIN BHUTAN* BOLIVIA*/*** BOTSWANA BRAZIL (Inter-American Driving Permit Only) BRUNEI* BULGARIA BURKINA FASO* (WAS UPPER VOLTA) CAMBODIA (WAS KAMPUCHEA) CAMEROON* CANADA CAPE VERDE ISLANDS* CAYMAN ISLANDS* CENTRAL AFRICAN REP. CHAD* CHILE*** COLOMBIA*/*** COMOROS* CONGO, REP OF (BRAZZAVILLE) CONGO, DEM REP OF (KINSHASA) COSTA RICA*/*** CROATIA* CUBA CYPRUS CZECH REP. DENMARK DJIBOUTI* DOMINICA*/** DOMINICAN REP.***	ECUADOR*** EGYPT EL SALVADOR*/*** EQUATORIAL GUINEA* ESTONIA* FIJI FINLAND FRANCE (INCLUDING FRENCH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) FRENCH POLYNESIA GABON* GAMBIA GEORGIA GERMANY* GHANA GIBRALTAR GREECE GRENADA GUATEMALA*** GUERNSEY GUINEA* GUINEA-BISSAU* GUYANA HAITI *** HONDURAS*/*** HONG KONG HUNGARY ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA* IRAN* IRELAND ISRAEL ITALY IVORY COAST JAMAICA JAPAN JERSEY* JORDAN KAMPUCHEA (WAS CAMBODIA) KAZAKHSTAN* KENYA* KOREA (REP.) KUWAIT* KYRGYSTAN LAOS LATVIA* LEBANON	LESOTHO LIBERIA* LIBYA* LIECHTENSTEIN* LITHUANIA* LUXEMBOURG MACAO* MADAGASCAR MALAWI MALAYSIA MALI MALTA MAURITANIA* MAURITIUS MEXICO*/*** MOLDOVA* MONACO MONTSERRAT*/** MOROCCO MOZAMBIQUE* MYANMAR* NAMIBIA NEPAL* NETHERLANDS NETHERLANDS ANTILLES NEW CALEDONIA NEW ZEALAND NICARAGUA*/*** NIGER NORWAY OMAN* PAKISTAN* PANAMA* PAPUA NEW GUINEA PARAGUAY*** PERU*** PHILIPPINES POLAND PORTUGAL QATAR* ROMANIA RUSSIA RWANDA ST. KITTS & NEVIS*/** ST. LUCIA ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES SAN MARINO SAO TOME & PRINCIPE* SAUDI ARABIA* SENEGAL	SERBIA & MONTENEGRO SEYCHELLES SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA* SOUTH AFRICA SPAIN SRI LANKA SUDAN* SURINAME SWAZILAND SWEDEN SWITZERLAND* SYRIA TAIWAN TAJIKSTAN* TANZANIA THAILAND TOGO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO*** TUNISIA TURKEY TURKMENISTAN* UGANDA UKRAINE* UNITED ARAB EMIRATES* UNITED KINGDOM URUGUAY (Inter-American Driving Permit Only) UZBEKISTAN* VATICAN CITY (HOLY SEE) VENEZUELA*** VIETNAM* WESTERN SAMOA YEMEN* ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE
*Not party of 1949 Convention: International Driving Permit Honored. **U.S. driver's license and International Driving Permit recognized on presentation to local police and payment of Special Registration Fee upon arrival. ***Geographical Areas Which Honor Inter-American Driving Permits (Convention on Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic, Organization of American States, Washington, D.C. 1943) as of June, 2005. If you intend to drive in the following countries, be sure to check INTER-AMERICAN DRIVING PERMIT box page 1: Brazil and Uruguay.

Moving to another country?
It is a good idea to qualify for a local driver’s license as soon as possible, since international driver’s permits are not valid for an extended length of a stay abroad, and often are only valid if presented in conjunction with a valid U.S. or local license. To renew a U.S. driver’s license, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your new country. See DMV Websites . For a listing of Department of Motor Vehicles abroad - Click Here

Auto Insurance

Car rental agencies overseas usually provide auto insurance, but in some countries, the required coverage is minimal. When renting a car overseas, consider purchasing insurance coverage that is at least equivalent to that which you carry at home. In general, your U.S. auto insurance does not cover you abroad. However, your policy may apply when you drive to countries neighboring the United States. Check with your insurer to see if your policy covers you in Canada, Mexico, or countries south of Mexico. Even if your policy is valid in one of these countries, it may not meet that country’s minimum requirements. For instance, in most of Canada, you must carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance, and Mexico requires that, if vehicles do not carry theft, third party liability, and comprehensive insurance, the owner must post a bond that could be as high as 50% of the value of the vehicle. If you are under-insured for a country, auto insurance can usually be purchased on either side of the border.

Rental Car - Cars for Hire
Many foreign rental car agencies may require proof that you have an International Drivers Permit and a Valid Drivers license.Some agencies may also require local insurance for the vehicle.