The International Driver’s Licence for Canadians: What It Is, Where to Get It, and Whether You Need One

By Taraji Abroad

Short answer: it’s called an International Driving Permit (IDP), it costs $32 CAD from CAA, and whether you actually need one depends on where you’re headed. For Mexico, it’s optional. For Portugal and Thailand, you’ll want one.

Driving rules vary by country and change over time. Verify the current requirements with local authorities or your country’s consulate before you rely on anything below.

What Is an International Driving Permit?

An IDP — commonly called an “international driver’s licence” — is a standardized translation of your Canadian driver’s licence into multiple languages. It’s a small booklet with your photo, your licence details, and translations in about a dozen languages so that police, rental agencies, and officials in other countries can read your driving credentials without guessing.

One thing to be clear on: an IDP is not a standalone licence. It has no legal value on its own. You must carry your valid Canadian driver’s licence with it at all times. Think of it as a companion document — your Canadian licence is the authority, the IDP is the translator.

If your Canadian licence expires, the IDP becomes useless.

Where to Get One

In Canada, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is the only authorized issuer. You don’t need to be a CAA member.

What you’ll need:

• A valid Canadian driver’s licence
• One passport-sized photo
• A completed CAA application form (available at any office or on their website)
• $32 CAD

How to apply:

• In person — Walk into any CAA office. The whole process takes about 15 minutes. You’ll walk out with the IDP that day.
• By mail — Send the application, photo, a photocopy of your licence, and payment. Allow a few weeks for processing and delivery.

If you’re already packing for your move, add this to the list. It’s a quick errand — easier than renewing a passport. We cover other pre-departure tasks in our packing list for moving abroad from Canada.

Do You Need One? Country by Country

This is where it gets specific. The answer depends entirely on which country you’re moving to — and how long you plan to stay.

Mexico

IDP required? No.

Your Canadian driver’s licence is legally valid for driving in Mexico as a tourist, typically for up to 180 days. There’s no legal requirement for an IDP.

That said, we’d still recommend getting one. If you’re pulled over and the officer doesn’t read English or French, an IDP removes any confusion. Some car rental companies also ask for one, especially the larger international chains. It’s $32 and it simplifies things.

If you’re planning a longer stay, our guide to Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa covers the visa side of things.

Portugal

IDP required? Yes — recommended.

Your Canadian licence is valid for 185 days after establishing residency in Portugal. An IDP isn’t strictly required for short stays but makes car rentals and police interactions smoother. Rental companies in Portugal are more likely to request one than in Mexico.

After 185 days, you have 90 days to exchange your Canadian licence for a Portuguese one through IMT (Portugal’s transport authority) — the fee is approximately EUR 30. For your first year, a Canadian licence plus an IDP will cover you.

If Portugal is the destination, our D7 visa guide for Canadians covers the residency path.

Thailand

IDP required? Yes — technically.

Thai law requires foreign drivers to hold either an IDP or a Thai driver’s licence. In practice, enforcement varies — plenty of expats drive on their Canadian licence alone without issues. But if you’re stopped at a checkpoint or involved in an accident without an IDP, it becomes a problem. The fine itself is small, but the insurance implications are not.

For long-term stays (more than a year), getting a Thai driver’s licence is straightforward and well worth doing. The process involves a medical checkup, a short written test, a practical test, and some patience at the Department of Land Transport office. Most expats knock it out in a day or two.

Quick Reference

Country	IDP Required?	Canadian Licence Accepted?	Notes
Mexico	No	Yes (up to 180 days)	IDP recommended for police stops and some rental companies
Portugal	Recommended	Short-term yes (90–180 days)	Exchange for Portuguese licence required for residents
Thailand	Yes (by law)	Not officially	Get a Thai licence for stays over one year

How Long Is It Valid?

An IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. That’s it — no extensions, no renewals of the same permit. If you’re abroad longer than a year, you’ll need a new one.

Your options:

• Apply before your current IDP expires. If you have a trusted person in Canada, they can submit a mail application on your behalf with a photocopy of your licence and a passport photo.
• Get one on your next trip home. Walk into any CAA office. Fifteen minutes, done.

Mark the expiry date somewhere you’ll actually see it. A calendar reminder a month before works.

Car Rental Tips

Most international rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) accept a Canadian licence paired with an IDP without issues. Some local rental companies — especially in Mexico and Thailand — will rent to you with just a Canadian licence, no IDP needed.

The safest approach: check with the specific rental company before you book. A quick email confirming they accept your Canadian licence (with or without an IDP) saves you a headache at the counter. Save the reply.

If you’re booking through an aggregator (like Rentalcars.com or Discovercars), the licence policy is set by the local agency, not the aggregator. Read the fine print or contact the agency directly.

A Note on Scooters in Thailand

A lot of Canadians in Chiang Mai and the islands rent scooters. It’s cheap, convenient, and often the easiest way to get around. But there’s a catch worth knowing.

Technically, you need a motorcycle endorsement on your IDP (which means you need a motorcycle licence back in Canada, like an M or M2 in Ontario) to legally ride a scooter in Thailand. A standard car-only IDP doesn’t cover two-wheeled vehicles.

In practice, rental shops rarely check. They’ll hand you the keys for a few hundred baht a day and that’s that. The problem shows up if something goes wrong. If you’re in an accident without the right documentation, your travel insurance may deny the claim entirely. Hospital bills in Thailand are manageable compared to Canada, but a serious accident without insurance coverage can still be financially devastating.

If you plan to ride a scooter regularly, either get your motorcycle licence in Canada before you leave or get a Thai driver’s licence with a motorcycle endorsement once you’re there.

The Bottom Line

An IDP costs $32, takes 15 minutes to get, and is valid for a year. For that price, it removes a category of hassle from your life abroad — smoother rentals, simpler police interactions, and one less thing to worry about if something goes wrong on the road.

Get one before you leave. It’s one of the easiest items on the pre-departure list.

Driving laws and licence requirements change. The information above reflects general guidance and should be verified with the Canadian Automobile Association, the relevant country’s transport authority, or your consulate before making decisions. This is not legal advice.