How to Get an International Driving Permit in Lebanon (ATCL)
What an International Driving Permit (IDP) is, who issues it in Lebanon, what it costs, and how to apply — with the official details from ATCL and LibanPost.
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving license into a standardized international format, recognized under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. It lets you drive abroad using your valid Lebanese license alongside the permit. It is not a standalone license: you must carry both your Lebanese license and the IDP when driving overseas. A Lebanese IDP is valid for one year and only outside Lebanon.
Do you actually need one?
- Lebanese drivers going abroad: yes — most countries that recognize the IDP expect you to present it together with your national license when renting a car or if stopped by police.
- Visitors driving inside Lebanon: you do not get a Lebanese IDP for this. If you're visiting Lebanon, obtain an IDP in your own country before you travel — a Lebanese-issued IDP is valid only outside Lebanon.
Who issues the IDP in Lebanon?
The only authorized issuer in Lebanon is the Automobile et Touring Club du Liban (ATCL), under the 1949 Geneva Convention. You can apply directly at an ATCL office, or submit your application through select LibanPost branches, which forward it to ATCL and deliver the permit to your address.
Beware of fake "International Driving Permit" websites
Search "international driving permit" and you'll hit dozens of slick websites promising an IDP "100% online, in minutes" for $20–$100. Nearly all of them are selling a worthless document. Here's the plain truth:
- An IDP is only valid when issued by a government-authorized body. Under the 1949 Geneva Convention, each country designates one authorized issuer. In Lebanon that is ATCL — and only ATCL (in person, or through LibanPost as a delivery channel). No website can legally issue a Lebanese IDP.
- What they sell has no legal standing. It's usually a self-printed booklet or a PDF you print yourself. Many sellers rename the product — "International Driving Document," "International Driver's License," "IDD" — to dodge the protected term, and their own fine print often admits it is "only a translation" and "not an official IDP."
- It can cost you far more than the fee. Best case, your money is gone. Worse: the document is refused at the rental counter or by police abroad, you're treated as driving without a valid permit (fines, impoundment, or worse), and your rental insurance is voided because you weren't validly licensed.
Red flags of a fake IDP seller — if you see these, walk away:
- ⚠"Apply 100% online / instant digital IDP / no paperwork needed"
- ⚠Doesn't require you to already hold a valid national driving license
- ⚠Sells a permit valid for longer than one year (some advertise "3-year" or multi-year permits) — a Lebanese IDP is valid for one year only, set by law (Article 230 of the Lebanese Traffic Law)
- ⚠Countdown timers, "today only" discounts, suspiciously perfect 5-star reviews, payment by crypto or gift card
- ⚠A polished domain with no verifiable link to a real, government-recognized automobile club
The simple rule: in Lebanon, if it didn't come from ATCL, it is not a real International Driving Permit. When in doubt, walk into an ATCL office or a LibanPost branch — not a search-ad website.
One legitimate exception: applying through a licensed Lebanese app such as Whish. There, ATCL still issues the permit and a physical booklet is delivered after you submit your real Lebanese license and passport — nothing is "instant." That's the opposite of the scam sites above, which hand you a printable file with no authorized issuer behind it.
Required documents
Applying directly at ATCL:
- Your valid Lebanese driver's license
- 2 passport-size photos
- A photocopy of the first page of your passport
Applying through LibanPost:
- A service form printed and signed by you
- 2 color passport photos
- A copy of your valid Lebanese passport — accepted regardless of remaining validity, as long as it hasn't expired
- A copy of your valid Lebanese driving license — same rule
How much does it cost, and where do you get it?
Every channel ultimately issues your IDP through ATCL — you're just paying for convenience. From cheapest to most convenient:
| Channel | Price | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Direct at ATCL — members | 3,500,000 LL (≈ $39) | ~10 min, in person |
| Direct at ATCL — non-members | 4,500,000 LL (≈ $50) | ~10 min, in person |
| Private issuing agent (e.g. Maliks) | ~$80 | 2–3 working days |
| Driving schools (they apply via ATCL for you) | $100–$120 | Varies |
| LibanPost (home delivery) | 5,250,000 LL (≈ $58) | + delivery time |
| Whish app (in-app, ATCL-issued) | $75 (delivery incl.) | App-based + delivery |
Easiest option: get it from the Whish app
NewWhish now offers the International Driving License fully in its app — no branch visit. It's still issued by ATCL; you simply apply from your phone.
What you upload in the app:
- A recent passport-size photo
- The front of your valid Lebanese driving license
- The back of your valid Lebanese driving license
- A clear photo of your valid passport
$75 total — the delivery charge is already included.
Choose free pickup from a select Whish branch, or delivery to your home address.
Remember: carry your local Lebanese license together with the IDP when driving abroad.
Cheapest is to walk into an ATCL office and do it yourself (about 10 minutes). Paying more — a private agent, your driving school, LibanPost, or the Whish app — simply buys convenience: someone else does the legwork, or the permit is delivered to your door.
Prices in LBP are official ATCL fees; USD figures are approximate at $1 ≈ 90,000 LBP. Agent, driving-school, and Whish prices are set by each provider and vary. The member/non-member distinction applies only when applying directly at ATCL.
How long is it valid?
The IDP is valid for one year and only outside Lebanon. It cannot be used to drive inside Lebanon — there, use your regular Lebanese license. Both rules come directly from Lebanese law: Article 230 of the Traffic Law sets the IDP's term at one year and states that a Lebanon-issued IDP does not allow its holder to drive within Lebanese territory.
How long does it take?
At an ATCL office, issuance takes around 10 minutes. Via LibanPost, allow extra time for processing and home delivery.
Can't I just drive abroad with the new Lebanese license?
The new Lebanese driving license is a credit-card-format card with your name and details printed in Latin (English) letters as well as Arabic. Many Lebanese travelers report using it directly abroad — especially at car-rental counters in a number of countries — without ever getting an IDP. There's a real reason it often works, but also real limits.
Why it can work. Under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic (which Lebanon has been party to since 1963), a country generally lets a visitor drive on their own national license, and may require an IDP only when that license doesn't follow the convention's standard model — a key part of which is that the license be written in Latin (Roman) characters. The old Arabic-only license failed that test; the new Latin-script card is much closer to the recognized format, which is why people are getting away with using it on its own.
But it is not a guarantee:
- Recognition is each country's choice, not automatic. The convention permits a country to accept your national license — it doesn't force it to. There is no official list of countries that accept the Lebanese card without an IDP; the reports are anecdotal.
- This only covers Geneva-Convention countries. Lebanon is not a party to the newer 1968 Vienna Convention, which many countries use instead — there, you can still be expected to carry an IDP.
- The real risk shows up after you've rented. If you're stopped by police or in an accident, driving without an IDP where one is required can be treated as driving without a valid permit, which can void your rental insurance.
Bottom line: the new Latin-script license genuinely helps and often works in Geneva-Convention countries — but it's a maybe, not a guarantee, and offers no cover in Vienna-only countries or when a rental firm or police officer insists on an IDP. If you know your destination accepts it, you may be fine. Otherwise — and anywhere you'd want insurance to hold up — get the IDP.
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Gather your documents
Your Lebanese license, the required photos, and a passport copy.
- 2
Go to ATCL or LibanPost
Visit an ATCL office, or a participating LibanPost branch if you'd prefer home delivery.
- 3
Fill in and sign the form
Complete the application form and sign it.
- 4
Pay the fee
Pay the ATCL member or non-member rate, or the flat LibanPost price.
- 5
Receive your IDP
About 10 minutes in person at ATCL, or by delivery via LibanPost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive in Lebanon with this permit?
No. The Lebanese IDP is valid only outside Lebanon. Inside Lebanon, use your regular Lebanese license.
I'm visiting Lebanon — where do I get an IDP?
Get it in your home country before traveling; you can't obtain a Lebanese IDP as a visitor for use in Lebanon.
Do I still need my Lebanese license abroad?
Yes — always carry both your national license and the IDP.
Can I just drive abroad with the new Lebanese license (the card with my name in Latin letters)?
Sometimes. Because the new card is in Latin script, it's closer to the format that 1949 Geneva Convention countries can recognize without an IDP, which is why travelers often get away with it. But it isn't guaranteed: recognition is each country's choice, there's no official list, Lebanon isn't part of the newer 1968 Vienna Convention (so many countries may still want an IDP), and driving without a required IDP can void your rental insurance. When in doubt, get the IDP.
How long is it valid?
One year, and only outside Lebanon.
Is there an official online application?
No. There is no legitimate way to buy a Lebanese IDP from a website. The only authorized issuer is ATCL (in person or via LibanPost). Any site selling an "online IDP" for Lebanon is giving you a document with no legal value.
What does it cost, and where is it cheapest?
It depends on the channel. Cheapest is directly at ATCL: 3,500,000 LL (≈ $39) for members, 4,500,000 LL (≈ $50) for non-members. A private issuing agent such as Maliks runs about $80 (2–3 working days), driving schools charge roughly $100–$120, and LibanPost with home delivery is 5,250,000 LL (≈ $58). You can also apply entirely in the Whish app for $75 with delivery included. Every channel issues through ATCL — you're paying for convenience.
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