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International Driver's License / Permit IDLs/IDPs are increasingly "preferred" by some authorities, but are not currently required for driving in most countries. They are only to be shown in conjunction with your valid State or Country issued Driver's License, not as a substitute. They serve to translate the information from your existing license into other languages, which is obviously likely to be helpful in many situations.
Stateside, the conventional way of obtaining one has been to go down to your local "AAA" auto club with a passport-style photo, and pay $10 for a one-year issue. Unfortunately, their website does not contain an online or mail-in method of applying, or even a search to find local offices. You must consult your phone book, and some offices require one to already be (or to become) an AAA member to obtain a permit from them. One official for AAA has stated that auto clubs offer the only legal IDPs, but the DOT will tell you that no one company or agency has sole sanction to issue them. While more traditional than many sources, AAA's IDP is not any more "legal" than a home-made one! More convenient perhaps, and much nicer in appearance by comparison, the online IDL-International offers passport sized "licenses" by mail beginning at $19.95, with 1-5 year expirations. Keep searching, and you'll find many smaller companies charging much higher fees ($80-$200) and often targeting less informed or even less legitimate clientele - those attempting to create false identities! For the sincere however, IDP/IDLs mainly provide a feeling of security, but not a legal right to drive. Again, don't even try to present one without also showing your "real" driver's license at the same time.
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