- Authorised issuer: the AAA, through state and territory motoring clubs; the NRMA fee was $55, GST free, on 5 October 2026.
- Check: the cover of a genuine permit shows “Convention on International Road Traffic of 19 September, 1949”.
- We found no Australian regulator warning specific to fake IDPs, so we describe the NRMA’s guidance and the pattern, without naming sellers.
Why this scam suits the product
An IDP is bought rarely, in a hurry and online. The buyer does not know what a real one looks like, may not know who issues it, and is comparing a $55 club price with a seller’s “instant digital permit” at a fraction of it. In our keyword data for Australia, the phrase “international driving permit scam” draws very few searches, which suggests people discover the problem at a hire counter overseas rather than in advance.
What separates the real from the fake
| Check | Genuine (per the NRMA) | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Who sells it | A state or territory motoring club acting for the AAA, such as the NRMA | A general website, a marketplace listing or a social media page |
| Cover wording | “Convention on International Road Traffic of 19 September, 1949” | No convention wording; or only a vague “international licence” |
| Price | $55 GST free at the NRMA, plus postage (checked 5 Oct 2026) | A much lower price, or a much higher “processing” charge |
| Delivery | Post in 3 to 5 business days, or Travelex pickup in 2 business days | “Instant digital” permit by email |
| Link to your licence | Valid for 12 months or until your Australian licence expires | A validity longer than your licence, or “no licence needed” |
What it risks at the other end
A counterfeit permit is a document that no authority issued. The consequences abroad are set by the country you are in, which we cannot summarise. What we can say is that the permit exists to translate a real licence, so a fake adds nothing to your legal position and may add suspicion. It also means you gave a seller your licence details and card number for nothing. Treat the personal data as compromised.
How to do it properly
- Find your motoring club from the list on the AAA website, or use the one you are a member of.
- Apply on the club’s own page and pay the club directly.
- Allow time: postage takes 3 to 5 business days at the NRMA, so do not leave it to the last week.
- Read the cover of the permit when it arrives.
If you bought one
If the seller took money, call your bank and ask for the payment to be stopped, then follow what to do if you paid a scammer. If you sent a photo of your driver licence, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160: a licence photo and number are enough for someone to try to open accounts. Then buy the real permit from your club. Report the seller to Scamwatch; the report guide shows how.
If you are not sure yours is genuine
- Find out who sold it. A motoring club will have emailed or posted a receipt in its own name.
- Read the cover for the 1949 Convention wording.
- Compare the dates: the NRMA says validity is 12 months from issue or until your licence expires.
- If any of these fail, buy a genuine permit from your club before you travel; at $55 at the NRMA (checked 5 October 2026) it costs far less than the trouble a bad one could cause.
Why the last-minute buyer is the target
Scamwatch says scammers create time pressure to stop you checking whether what they say is real. A traveller with a flight in a week is already under that pressure before any seller speaks. The honest fix is boring: apply early, from a club, and give yourself the days the post needs.
What we could not find
We found no Australian regulator warning specific to fake International Driving Permits, no prosecution and no figure for how many are sold. Everything on this page rests on the NRMA’s own guidance about authorised sellers and cover wording, plus Scamwatch’s general advice on websites. If your motoring club has a stricter check, such as a serial number lookup, use it; we did not see one described.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my IDP is fake?
Check who sold it and read the cover. The NRMA says only state and territory motoring clubs sell IDPs and that genuine ones display the 19 September 1949 Convention wording, which counterfeits usually do not.
Can I buy an IDP from a website that is not my motoring club?
The NRMA says IDPs are only available from state and territory motoring clubs. A general website selling them is not an authorised seller.
Are digital IDPs real?
We found no official information on a digital IDP. The NRMA describes a printed permit delivered by post or collected from Travelex, so treat an instant emailed permit with suspicion.
What should I do if I paid for a fake IDP?
Contact your bank, call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if you sent licence details, report it to Scamwatch, and buy a genuine permit from your motoring club.
Does an IDP replace my licence?
No. The NRMA ties validity to your Australian licence, which it expires with, so the permit only works alongside it.