Obtaining an international driving permit is crucial whether you are planning to relocate abroad or just traverse through a foreign country on a road trip.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a valuable document that allows you to drive legally in foreign countries where your domestic driver’s license alone may not be recognized.
Driving without an international driving permit can result in legal issues, insurance problems, rental car restrictions, and travel delays due to non-compliance with local laws and requirements, so it is best to be prepared before leaving your country of origin.
Securing an IDP is a simple procedure, although it does entail certain specific requirements:
What is an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Before starting the registration process, it is important to understand that an IDP translates your native driver’s license into multiple languages, facilitating interpretation of your credentials by authorities in foreign countries.
The IDP is not a standalone document , and should therefore accompany your valid domestic driver’s license.
This is a step-by-step guide on how to get an international driving permit in Kenya:
Requirements/ Eligibility
1. The person should be 18 years of age if applying for a motor vehicle license and 16 years if applying for a motorcycle license.
2. The person must have an Original/ copy of a valid Kenya driving license.
3 . Two passport-size photos with the applicant’s name written on the back.
4. Copy of National ID
5. The applicant should identify the authorised issuing authority within his/ her country . In Kenya, Automobile Association (AA) Kenya is the only authorized international driving license/permit issuer and therefore the applicant should ensure that they are a member before filing for an IDP.
Application Process
1. Visit any AA Kenya branch, there are over 50 branches countrywide.
2. Fill in the application form and attach all the required documents.
3. Pay the relevant application fees depending on your preference. The application fees are as follows:
- 1-year validity Kshs 6,000 for AA members and Kshs 9,000 for AA non-members.
- 2 years validity Ksh 11,000 for AA members and Kshs 16,000 for AA non-members.
- 3 years validity Kshs 15,000 for AA members and Kshs 24,000 for AA non-members.
4. After making the payments and filling out the application form, proceed to submit the form and relevant documents at any AA office for processing.
5. The processing time is about 20 minutes.
6. Verify the details on the IDP to ensure accuracy before traveling abroad
As a precaution, take time to familiarize yourself with the regulations concerning the use of IDPs in the countries you intend to visit. Although many countries accept IDPs, some may have specific rules or additional requirements for foreign drivers.
Be mindful of your IDP’s expiration date, which is typically a year from the date of issue. If your trip extends beyond the given period, renew your ID promptly.
