The International Automobile Association (IAA) is a private company that provides international driver’s permits to American drivers traveling abroad. However, the IAA has received mixed reviews from customers and is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. This article examines the background, services, legitimacy, and reviews of the IAA.
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Introduction
The IAA advertises itself as a leading provider of international driver’s permits (IDP) for over 20 years. An IDP translates a driver’s domestic license into multiple languages and allows them to legally drive private motor vehicles in foreign countries that recognize the IDP.
While it may seem like a useful service, the IAA has concerning issues regarding its reputation, legitimacy, and recognition of its IDP. Reviews reveal frustrations from customers over misleading advertising, lack of delivery, and rejected IDPs abroad. Furthermore, the IAA IDP lacks backing from official state and federal US agencies.
This article will analyze the following key aspects of the International Automobile Association:
- Background and services
- Legitimacy and recognition
- Customer reviews
- Comparisons to other IDP providers
Examining these factors will help shed light on whether the IAA provides a reliable and worthwhile service. Drivers need to conduct thorough research before obtaining an international driver’s permit.
Background of the International Automobile Association
The New York-based International Automobile Association advertises itself as a leader in the execution of international driving licenses for over 20 years. The private company offers an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) that translates and confirms driving licenses for use abroad.
The IDP document displays the holder’s domestic license details in 11 different languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Chinese. The IAA claims its IDP is valid in over 150 countries.
However, despite claiming years of industry experience, the International Automobile Association lacks accreditation or sponsorship from any governmental bodies. The company operates independently as a private service claiming expertise in international driving licenses.
Services Offered by the IAA
The primary service offered by the International Automobile Association is its international driver’s permit. The IAA IDP is intended to accompany an individual’s existing domestic license and translate it into multiple languages for use in foreign countries.
According to the IAA website, key services and features include:
- Provides an IDP valid worldwide in over 150 countries
- Translates and verifies driving privileges abroad
- Documents are printed in 11 different languages
- Fast processing and delivery in 2-3 business days
- IDP issued following online order or mail application
- Delivered to your doorstep
The company claims its IDP document is accepted worldwide. However, as explored in the legitimacy section, this claim is questionable and concerning.
Is the IAA International Driver’s Permit Legitimate?
Despite advertising expertise in international driving documentation for over 20 years, the International Automobile Association lacks any official recognition, accreditation, or endorsement from governmental transport authorities.
The IAA is not sponsored or authorized by any state agencies or the US federal government. The Better Business Bureau does not accredit the IAA, and the private company has no affiliation with the Department of State.
Without sponsorship from official state or federal US agencies, the legitimacy of IAA IDPs abroad remains doubtful.
According to the US Department of State, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance are the only entities in the US designated to issue IDPs under the United Nations 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic.
Therefore, IDPs issued by the IAA may lack acceptance and validity abroad, despite the company’s claims. Multiple customers have reported issues traveling internationally with IAA permits.
Reviews of International Automobile Association Services
With questionable legitimacy and lack of governmental sponsorship, it is unsurprising that reviews for the International Automobile Association reveal frustrated customers.
Positive Reviews
A minority of customers praise the convenience and delivery of IAA services:
- Quick online order process and delivery
- IDP received within promised timeframe
- Documents look official with license translations
Negative Reviews
However, the majority of reviews involve scathing criticism and complaints over the International Automobile Association:
- Misleading advertising – Reviews frequently cite false advertising about worldwide acceptance of permits which later get rejected when customers try to use them abroad.
- Lack of delivery – Many reviews involve paid orders where documents never get delivered, causing difficulties overseas without an IDP.
- Rejected documents – Numerous cases of borders, rental agencies, and traffic police abroad refusing IAA IDPs as invalid documentation.
- Poor customer service – Difficulties getting responses or refunds from IAA customer service agents.
Overall, the abundance of negative testimonials indicates significant issues with the reliability and services advertised by the International Automobile Association. Drivers are taking a risk using their IDP.
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick and convenient online service | Misleading claims over worldwide acceptance |
| Professional IDP translation format | Lack of delivery for some customers |
| IDP received quickly when delivered | Rejected by authorities abroad |
| Poor customer service |
Comparison to Other IDP Providers
Unlike the IAA, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are officially designated and sponsored by the US Department of State to issue international driving permits abroad.
Both AAA and AATA have better business reputations than the IAA and do not have an abundance of complaints over misleading advertising, lack of delivery, or rejected IDPs in foreign countries.
Therefore, drivers needing an international permit for overseas travel are better serviced using AAA or AATA rather than the International Automobile Association. The legitimacy and reliability of their IDPs are superior.
Conclusion
The International Automobile Association provides an international driver’s permit service online and claims over 20 years of industry experience in IDP documentation for travel abroad.
However, the private company lacks any accreditation, endorsement, or sponsorship from official state or federal US agencies. The IAA IDP has questionable legitimacy and recognition overseas.
Abundant reviews reveal customer frustration over misleading advertising, lack of delivery, rejected documents abroad, and poor customer service when using IAA permits internationally.
Drivers needing an international driver’s permit for foreign travel are advised to use officially designated providers like AAA or AATA instead of risking the services of the International Automobile Association.
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