Hold an IDP to be on the safe side
If you have the time, we always recommend to purchase an IDP, even if the information on our website says with confidence that you won't need one.
While renting a car in the USA, Australian drivers are uncertain whether their license will be accepted. We will clear the uncertainty in this article.
To determine with confidence whether you need an IDP or not, we check multiple data sources. Please review the following legal terms of: the Australian laws, the local laws in the USA, the rental company requirements and real life reports we collected from other Australian travelers in the USA.
The laws in the USA say the following:
Each state may set different rules and laws for driving with a foreign driving license via its local DMV or similar authorities. There is no federal law about it.
Source:
It means that:
You should check the state specific laws and guidelines. Select the appropriate state from the list:
Different rental agencies might still require an IDP even while the local laws do not require it. Please find your appropriate local supplier in the list above to verify.
We don't have any real life reports by Australian travelers in the USA.
If you've been there and was pulled over by the local officials, please share your experience with us and we will publish it to help others.
Facts check reviewed on 16 September 2024 at 1:56 pm by international-drivers.org researchers team.
Have you found a mistake or rented a car and can report with an up-to-date status?
Please help us helping other travelers with recent actual requirements of your rental agency or after being pulled over by the local police.
If you have the time, we always recommend to purchase an IDP, even if the information on our website says with confidence that you won't need one.