What License Do You Need to Drive in American Samoa?

You're ready to hit the coastal roads of Pago, but what license is required to legally drive? For most visitors, your overseas licence will be just fine for renting and driving a car in American Samoa.

If, however, you've read our What You Need to Hire a Car in American Samoa LINK#T010, you may have noticed that a very small selection of visitors actually need an International Driver's Permit in order to rent and legally drive a car.

We go through it all and clear up any confusion in this complete guide to using your overseas licence to drive in American Samoa.

For more car hire tips, be sure to head to the 10 Best Car Rentals in American Samoa LINK#T007.

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Overseas Licenses Accepted in American Samoa

It's pretty simple. Most overseas driver's licenses are accepted in American Samoa, as long as they are full and still valid.

The only hurdle foreigners may encounter is if their driver's license is not written in English. Some car rental companies require an overseas license to be written in English, or else you need to have a certified translation to accompany your license, such as an IDP (International Driver's Permit). More on that is detailed in the "How to Apply for an International Driving Permit" section below.

Paperwork drivers license
© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

Conditions of Driving in American Samoa on an Overseas Driver's License

Driving in American Samoa with an overseas license has a few conditions and restrictions. These include that you can only drive:

  • If you're over the age of 16 (although most rental companies only hire to ages 21+ or 25+),
  • for up to 30 days in American Samoa,
  • If your license is not revoked, suspended or disqualified,
  • and only the motor vehicle class that you are entitled to drive in your home country.
How to apply for IDP, licenses for American Samoa
© AmericanSamoaPocketGuide.com

How to Apply for an International Driving Permit

If your driver's license from your home country is not written in English, then it's best to travel to American Samoa with both your original driver's license and an International Driving Permit (IDP).

You need to apply for an IDP before you leave the country in which your driving license is issued. You cannot apply for an IDP for an overseas driving license in American Samoa.

How you apply for your IDP varies between countries. While in some countries you can only apply in person at a local transport authority or government, in others, you can simply apply online or by post.

The best way to find out how to apply for an International Driving Permit is to contact your country’s transport authority.

What You Need to Apply for an IDP

In most cases, the following is required to apply for an International Driving Permit:

  • A photocopy of both sides of your driving license
  • A recent passport-style photograph
  • A completed application form
  • Some countries may require a copy of your national identity card
  • Some countries may require a fee.

Be aware that your application could take up to a month to process, so be sure to start the IDP application process as soon as possible! Typically, IDPs are valid for three years from the issue date.

A Warning About International Driving Permit Scam Websites

We noticed that there are a lot of scam websites when researching this article. This article from the official International Driving Permit website (internationaldrivingpermit.org), lists a few of the scam websites to avoid.

More About Driving in American Samoa

Now that you know what license you need for driving in American Samoa and whether your overseas license is accepted, here are some guides with tips on how to drive, rent a vehicle and more!

Finally, check out more ways of getting around the country in our American Samoa Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around American Samoa.