Alert to travelers! Italy is "requiring" an IDP to rent a car now. Previously, it was not required, maybe legally required but never asked for. Now, Hertz and Sixt both require you to show your IDP to get a car. In the State of Washington, you used to be able to pop into a AAA office and get your IDP within 1/2 hour. I last got one for Croatia, based on Rick's advice, in 2022 at the Bellevue AAA office. AAA WA no longer HAS ANY OFFICES other than insurance, they said "due to COVID". There is no way to get a "same day" IDP in this state. You can only get your IDP online. I submitted my application online, with expedited shipping, and received a note back that it takes 5 business days. My trip was in 9 business days, so I reached out to the email address provided after submitting my order (please note the AAA website has no email or phone # available, other than the general phone #, which I tried, was on hold 30+ minutes, then disconnected.) to request assistance. The person with whom I corresponded told me "we have plenty of time" and said she would call me so I could drive to their secure (not a public office) office in Bellevue and pick up before my trip. I did not receive a call after 7 business days, and drove to Portland from Seattle the day before my trip to get an IDP in person. The night before my trip, I then received an email stating that the IDP had been Fed_Ex'd to me and would arrive the day after I left. This was an awful experience and completely unnecessary had I known the in person option was no longer available in WA. I don't know who granted AAA WA the sole authority to issue these permits, a monopoly with absolutely no customer service or care. If you have a similar experience, LMK as I am going to bat against AAA WA for this complete blow off of one of its prized services.
Posted by
Green Bay
22628 posts
AAA is not the sole issuer in the US. AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance) is also an issuer.
https://www.aataidp.com/idp-steps
Posted by
The Heartland USA
9417 posts
. I don't know who granted AAA WA the sole authority to issue these permits, a monopoly with absolutely no customer service or care.
I believe it was Congress that authorized specific non-governmental agencies to be the issuers of the IDP.
As I see it, AAA is primarily a travel agency that offers this service on the side. They're likely finding themselves unable to compete in the internet era.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1341 posts
Translation: IDP takes 10 business days or more when ordered online. Plan ahead. If your trip is last-minute like OP's, consider driving to a brick and mortar AAA store (edited to add) in a neighboring AAA region.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16027 posts
"consider driving to a brick and mortar AAA store."
Well, that is just it. In WA and North Idaho (which is part of WA AAA) all the physical stores are closed.
"As of the end of regular business hours on June 27th, 2025 all physical store locations are now closed."
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
1108 posts
Have you thought about contacting the BCAA (British Columbia AA). I think they have an office in South Surrey just over the border, a couple of hours drive from the Seattle area. They are open six days a week.
Good luck!