can tourist drive in usa

• How to Drive in the United States

In order to drive in the United States (depending on how long you plan to stay in the country), you must have some sort of valid government-issued driver's license or permit to legally operate a vehicle.

Short-Term Visitors vs. Non-Citizen Residents

The type of driver license or permit you obtain while traveling in America can depend largely on how long you plan to be here.

Short-Term Visitors

If your visit to the U.S. will involve driving, and you're only going to stay in the country a short while, it makes sense for you to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) .

An IDP is an official document allowing a person to legally operate a motor vehicle while abroad —in this case, while you're in America. The IDP does NOT replace your original, valid driver's license from your home country; rather, it translates the language on your current license into that of the country you're visiting (in the U.S., this would be English) and generally includes basic driver license features such as:

• Your full name.
• Your photograph.
• Relevant driver information.

Keep in mind that:

• You must obtain your IDP from your home country. Contact your motor vehicle agency for the correct application process.
• When driving, you must have your driver's license AND IDP on hand.
• For identification purposes, be safe by carrying your driver's license and passport.

Understand that many car rental agencies require an International Driving Permit (probably along with your country's driver's license) before they'll allow you to rent a car. Always call ahead and ask for required documentation specific to your situation.

Non-U.S. Citizen Residents

Because non-U.S. citizen residents usually spend more time in the country than do short-term visitors, it's likely you'll need a U.S. government-issued driver license .

Each state sets its own residency eligibility requirements and application processes for obtaining a driver license (see Apply for a U.S. Driver's License below), so you'll need to work with your specific state's motor vehicle agency .

Learn the Rules of the Road

Not only will understanding the rules of the road help you legally operate a motor vehicle (as well as pass your driver exams, if you apply for a driver license), but also it will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe during your U.S. travel.

Driver Handbook

Each state provides a driver handbook clearly outlining everything from the state's road rules to legal ramifications of breaking those rules.

Most states provide these handbooks online; check our DMV Driver Handbook section for a link to the handbook of the state you'll be visiting. You can also contact a local driver license agency to ask about ordering the handbook or picking up a copy in person.

Safety Laws

Some safety laws are nationwide (for example, it's illegal to drive drunk anywhere in America); others are state specific (for example, some states still differ on the use of cell phones while driving).

Whether you obtain an International Driving Permit or apply for a full driver license, you need to understand these laws. Visit our section on Safety Laws and choose the state(s) where you'll be driving for an outline of some of the most important laws, as well as information on where you can find further details.

Practice Tests

Taking a few driver exam practice tests is a great way to test your knowledge on road rules and safety laws . Some states provide these tests within their driver handbooks or on their motor vehicle agency websites; you can find online practice tests designed for your specific state.

Apply for a U.S. Driver's License

If you've determined you need a U.S. government-issued driver license, understand that each state has its own application process — including processes for non-U.S. citizens .

As such, you can find clear outlines of the driver license application processes within your state's driver handbook as well as in our section on Applying for a New License .

Note that even as a non-citizen, you'll most likely follow the same application process as would a citizen; however, you might have to provide certain additional legal documents , such as a:

• Social Security card.
• Birth date/legal presence (BD/LP) document.
• Employment authorization card.
• Temporary resident identification card.

These are just a few possibilities, and depend entirely on your state's requirements as well as your specific circumstances.

Renewing Your Driver License

Depending on how long you'll be in the country and your state's driver license renewal policies for non-citizens, you might need to renew your driver's license at some point.

Again, each state has its own renewal process, and your state's process can vary depending on your non-citizen status. Refer to your state's driver handbook as well as our section on Renewing Your License for more details.

Legalize Your Vehicle

For some non-citizens (especially short-term visitors), legalizing a vehicle won't be an issue; if your visit is short, you might just rent a car (at which point, the car rental agency will guide you regarding your requirements).

However, for those of you who'll be here long enough to purchase or lease a vehicle, you must follow your state's rules regarding titling , registering , and insuring your vehicle.

Please refer to the following pages for details on how to complete these processes based on your state :

• Title Transfers
• Car Registration
• Car Insurance
• Suspended License
• Accident Guide
• Traffic Tickets
• Traffic School & Defensive Driving
• DUI & DWI
• DMV Point System
• Traffic Safety Laws
• Driving Distractions
• How To Change a Tire
• How To Pack An Emergency Kit
• Air Bag Safety
• Elderly Driver Safety
• 511 Traffic Systems
• Driving Etiquette & Safety Tips
• Carpool Lane 101
• Traffic Alerts
• Avoiding Road Construction
• Pre-trip Maintenance
• RV Handling & Driving Tips
• How To Pull A Trailer
• Traveling With Your Pet
• Gas-Saving Tips
• How To Put On Tire Chains
• Saving Money on the Road
• Crossing the Border
• U.S. Road Rules
• Car Rentals in the USA
• American Driving Style
• Gas in America
• Vehicle Maintenance Tips
• When to Use Your Headlights
• Intersections & Right of Way
• Reckless Driving 101
• How To Buy a Child Safety Seat
• How To Install a Child Safety Seat
• Reports & Records
• Driving Records
• DMV Forms & Publications
• Smog Check & Car Inspections

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Navigating U.S. Roads as an International Driver

Updated: March 7, 2024

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

On This Page:

• Staying Compliant in the US
• Driving With a Foreign License
• Common Questions From Visitors
• The Importance of Car Insurance
• Tips for Driving in the U.S. Safely
• Expert Advice

About Nadia Neophytou

Nadia Neophytou is a journalist based in New York City who writes for various leading American and South African publications, such as The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Deadline, Quartz, Glamour, the Mail & Guardian, the Sunday Times, Forbes Africa and more. Nadia also worked as an arts and entertainment journalist for Eyewitness News, and as the news network's US correspondent for South Africa. She has covered topics ranging from Occupy Wall Street, numerous mass shootings, the re-election of Barack Obama, Donald Trump's election and the #MeToo movement.

• American Automobile Touring Alliance . " International Driving Permit ." Accessed May 28, 2021 .
• Driving-Tests . " U.S. Rules of the Road ." Accessed May 28, 2021 .
• Federal Highway Administration . " U.S. Driving Last Year Was Lowest in Two Decades, New Data Show ." Accessed June 4, 2021 .
• Federal Trade Commission . " International Driver's License Scams ." Accessed May 28, 2021 .
• Injury Facts from National Safety Council . " Motor Vehicle Safety Issues ." Accessed June 4, 2021 .
• ProCon . " States (and DC) That Allow Driver’s Licenses for People in the Country Illegally ." Accessed May 28, 2021 .
• Shorelight . " How International Students Can Apply for a US Driving License ." Accessed May 28, 2021 .

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International driver’s license for U.S. citizens

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to drive while traveling abroad, find out the driver’s license requirements for the country you are visiting.

You may be able to drive in another country with your state-issued U.S. driver’s license or with an International Driving Permit (IDP).

Check which license you need while driving outside the U.S.

When visiting another country as a U.S. citizen:

• Your state driver's license is valid while driving in Canada and Mexico.
• In other countries, you may need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) for foreign drivers.

Use the Department of State's website to search for the country you will be visiting . On that country’s page, see the "travel and transportation" section. It will explain your destination’s driver’s license rules for visitors.

How to get an International Driving Permit

If you have a U.S. driver's license, learn how you can get an IDP from the American Automobile Association (AAA) .

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023

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