With this permit you can legally drive in over 200 countries, including the USA (with the exception of Nicaragua-its country of origin). I have been using this permit personally since 1996. I have been stopped twice and both times I was not ticketed and was treated with unusually high respect. The police even thanked me for my cooperation.

      When using the permit you are obligated to follow all the traffic laws of the jurisdiction you are in, which I encourage everyone to do. However, as you know some of the law on the books are not designed for public safety. But, they are mere excuses for the local authorities to check to see if your papers are in order. With the IDP, an officer will generally treat you better because you are not licensed in his jurisdiction and therefore he has less control over you. Even if he were to write you a ticket, the local courts would have no way to enforcing such a citation because you are not a member of there "club", and this is why in most cases, officer won't even bother to issue a citation in the first place---since it is not enforceable. This can give you a distinct advantage over most "card carrying members", I.e: holders of the state issued drivers's licenses, the ones with your Finger Prints, Social Security number, and magnetic strip and coming soon---your retina scan. None of these things are required when applying for an IDP, your privacy is always upheld.