Tips for Driving Abroad for the First Time
The car insurance you have at home almost never covers you once you cross a border, so you need to arrange it separately before you go.
Check your coverage before you check the map
Your US auto policy generally stops at the US border. Some insurers extend limited coverage into Canada, but almost none cover Mexico or anywhere overseas. If you're renting a car abroad, the rental company's insurance or a credit card benefit is usually what protects you, not your home policy.
What you need depends on where you're going and whether you're driving your own car or a rental. Call your insurer before you leave and ask them directly what happens if you have an accident in the country you're visiting. If the answer is unclear, buy coverage through the rental company or a travel insurance provider instead of assuming you're protected.
Your license may not be enough on its own
Many countries require an International Driving Permit alongside your US license, especially if the local traffic signs or paperwork aren't in English. The permit itself is just a translation of your license, so bring both, not one or the other.
Some countries also set a minimum age for renting or driving that's different from what you're used to at home, and rental companies there can refuse you even if you're licensed to drive. Check the specific country's requirements and the rental company's policy before you book, not after you land.
If you're renting, bring your license, your passport, and the permit to the counter. Missing any one of them can mean the rental company turns you away, and that's not something travel insurance will fix.
Driving rules and conditions vary more than people expect
Which side of the road to drive on, how roundabouts work, what the road signs mean, all of this changes from country to country, and it changes how much attention driving takes for the first few days. Give yourself time to adjust before you're on a highway or in a city center.
Some countries have stricter rules around speed, phone use, or alcohol than you're used to, and the penalties for breaking them as a visitor can be more serious than a fine. Look up the specific rules for where you're going rather than assuming they match home.
If you're older and haven't driven a manual transmission in years, check whether the rental car is automatic before you arrive. Automatic cars can be harder to find and more expensive in some countries, so this is worth confirming when you book, not at the counter.
Questions people ask about this
Does my credit card cover rental car insurance abroad?
Some cards do, but the coverage and the countries it applies to vary by card and by issuer. Call the number on the back of your card and ask specifically about the country you're visiting, since many cards exclude certain places or require you to decline the rental company's own insurance to activate the benefit.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for every country?
No, some countries accept a US license on its own, but many don't, and the requirement isn't consistent from one country to the next. Check the specific country before you go, and if you need the permit, get it from AAA or a similar authorized issuer before you leave the US since it can't be arranged once you're abroad.
What happens if I get in an accident while driving abroad?
What happens depends on the country's laws and whatever insurance you arranged before the trip, not on your US policy. Keep the rental company's emergency contact number and your insurance documents with you, and know in advance whether local police need to be called for any accident, since that requirement varies by country.
Is it safe for an older driver to rent a car in a foreign country?
Age alone doesn't make it unsafe, but some rental companies do set upper age limits or charge a surcharge for older drivers, and this varies by company and by country. Ask the rental company directly when you book rather than assuming the terms are the same as at home.
Should I buy the rental company's insurance or decline it?
That depends on what you already have through your credit card or a separate travel insurance policy, since buying both means paying twice for the same protection. Check your existing coverage first, then decide at the counter, and ask the rental company to explain exactly what their coverage includes if you're not certain.
Compare your options so your coverage is sorted out before you leave, not after something happens.
Call your auto insurer this week and ask exactly what, if anything, applies if you drive in the country you're visiting. If you're renting a car, check whether your credit card or a travel insurance policy covers the rental, and get that confirmation in writing if you can. Look up whether your destination requires an International Driving Permit and, if so, apply for one through AAA before you leave. Confirm the rental company's age policy and whether an automatic transmission is available if you need one. Pack your license, passport, and permit together so nothing is missing at the counter.
