Driving in Andorra with an Alaska Driving Licence: IDP Requirements and Rules
A holder of a valid Alaska driving licence can drive in Andorra when the licence is carried with the required International Driving Permit (IDP). For a U.S. licence, use the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP. No separate translation was verified as necessary when that IDP is carried. No fixed visitor-day maximum was verified, but residence triggers separate six-month foreign-licence rules.
Quick answer
Do not rely on the Alaska card by itself. Andorran law recognizes a 1949 Geneva IDP when it accompanies the national driving licence of the holder, and current U.S. Department of State guidance says travellers who plan to drive in Andorra must obtain an IDP before arrival. The IDP does not replace the Alaska licence, so carry both originals.
Legal treatment of an Alaska licence in Andorra
Alaska is a U.S. state licensing jurisdiction, while Andorra is a separate sovereign country. The current Andorran traffic code and driving-permit regulation recognize international permits issued under Annex 10 of the 1949 Geneva Convention when they are accompanied by the national licence and used only for the categories authorized. U.S. guidance specifically requires the IDP for Andorra, so this page treats the Alaska licence as conditionally usable rather than sufficient on its own.
IDP requirement, recommendation and applicable model
The IDP is legally required for this pair according to current U.S. Department of State destination guidance. The applicable U.S. permit is the 1949 Geneva Convention model. Alaska DMV does not issue IDPs and directs applicants to AAA. The U.S. Department of State identifies AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance as the active authorized U.S. issuers meeting the 1949 Convention standard.
Visitor and resident rules
No fixed maximum number of visitor days was verified in the Andorran licensing sources checked, so no numeric visitor limit is stated here. The U.S. IDP itself is valid for up to one year, but that is not the same as an immigration or residence limit. Once habitual or temporary residence in Andorra is obtained, the current regulation limits qualifying foreign permits to six months. The relevant exchange process must be completed within one year, while the exact Alaska reciprocity and examination outcome should be confirmed with the Andorran driving-permit registry.
Rental-car requirements
No named rental-company policy was verified for the Alaska-to-Andorra pair. A rental company may impose contractual conditions beyond the legal driving requirements. Because the IDP is already required for this licence holder under U.S. government guidance, bring the original Alaska licence and 1949 IDP and check the supplier terms for age, licence-holding period, payment and any additional documentation.
Police documents and insurance
Andorran law requires a driver to carry a valid driving permit, the vehicle registration certificate, a current insurance certificate or proof that the policy is in force and, when applicable, the vehicle inspection certificate, and to present them when requested by traffic authorities. Foreign vehicles must carry insurance covering at least the liabilities required for Andorran-registered vehicles. For an Alaska driver using the 1949 route, the valid driving documents are the Alaska licence and accompanying IDP.
Relevant exceptions
The resident rule is the main exception to the visitor position. After six months of habitual or temporary residence, the foreign permit no longer satisfies the current regulatory validity period. Andorran procedures provide an examination-based homologation route where no agreement exists or reciprocity does not apply. The exact Alaska-specific exchange tests and category mapping are unverified – confirm with official authority.
Official sources used
- Govern d’Andorra Legal Portal, Llei 12/2021 del Codi de la circulació, verifies valid foreign and international permits, documents carried for checks and insurance duties. https://portaljuridicandorra.ad/L2021012. Checked 2026-10-03.
- Govern d’Andorra Legal Portal, Reglament del 2 de juliol del 2025, verifies accepted foreign permits, the six-month resident validity rule and the one-year exchange framework. https://portaljuridicandorra.ad/R20250702B. Checked 2026-10-03.
- Govern d’Andorra e-Tràmits, homologation of a foreign driving permit with examination, verifies the available procedure when no agreement exists or reciprocity does not apply. Official procedure. Checked 2026-10-03.
- U.S. Department of State, Andorra Travel Advisory, verifies that U.S. travellers planning to drive must obtain an IDP before arrival and should carry driving, vehicle and insurance documents. Andorra travel information. Checked 2026-10-03.
- Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, International Driving Permit, verifies that Alaska DMV does not issue IDPs and directs applicants to AAA. Alaska DMV IDP information. Checked 2026-10-03.
- U.S. Department of State, International Driving Permit scams guidance, verifies AAA and AATA as the active authorized U.S. issuers and the 1949 Convention basis. U.S. IDP issuer guidance. Checked 2026-10-03.
Practical recommendation
Obtain the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP before departure and carry it with the original Alaska licence throughout the trip. Keep the vehicle registration and current proof of insurance in the vehicle, plus the inspection certificate when applicable. If renting, confirm the selected company terms before collection. If moving to Andorra, contact the Registre de permisos de conduir early because the foreign-licence driving window is six months.
Last verified date
This information was checked against the sources listed above on 2026-10-03.