Hello...I am enjoying reading all the very helpful ideas and answers! My daughter & I are flying to London end of June...will rent a car and our plan is to travel to Salisbury the 1st night...hope to get to see StoneHedge the next morning and then on to the Cotwold area. Here is my question: the other day I stopped in at our local AAA office to browse and the woman asked me if we had gotten our "Inter-American driving permit"...Has anyone heard of this? My son--in-law travels to Europe & he is not aware of this. The woman told me they would take our pictures & attach and the fee is $15.00 per person & it would be very helpful if stopped for any reason. Thank you for any help in this...also does anyone have any favorite car rental places? We want to get the car at the airport and don't want to travel by train on this trip. I am so excited for this trip and want to be sure we are ok with a car rental.
Posted by
1 posts
Hi linful127!
I hope you have a lovely vacation in England! I have gotten my International Drivers Permit (IDP) each time I anticipate driving in a country outside of the US. It's only valid for one year (which is a pain), but the intent is to translate your personal information into ten other languages (to support wherever you are). Some countries may not let you take a rental car without having an IDP. To be honest, I have never been asked to see mine in Europe. As England speaks the same language as our homeland and a police officer or emergency official can read your license / passport information without translation, I believe it would be unnecessary for this particular adventure. Please be reminded that driving is done on the opposite side of the road in England - be extra cautious!
Sixt is all over Europe, but I cannot say they are my "favorite". I go with the cheapest fare and reasonable reviews.
Enjoy!
Posted by
North Carolina
2499 posts
There is an International Driving Permit, which you are required to have, and which AAA provides. You may have mis-heard the woman at AAA.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
As said, an IDP translates your licence into English, as it will already be in English I've never heard of Americans being asked for one. BTW it's Stonehenge, nothing to do with "hedges" and The Cotswolds.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
An IDP is not required for the UK:
AAA uses both terms
Welcome AAA Affiliates - AAA.com
www.aaa.com/ppinternational/IDP_IADP_Apply.html
AAA
To apply for an International Driving Permit or an Inter-American Driving Permit,
From gov.UK
https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-visitor-to-great-britain/any-other-country
Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence
1Are you:
a visitor to Great Britain?
Change this answer
2Where did you pass your test?
Any other country
Change this answer
You can drive any small vehicle (eg car or motorcycle) listed on your full and valid licence for 12 months from when you last entered Great Britain (GB)
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
There is an Inter American Driving Permit but is of no use for driving in the UK. As its name suggests its for driving within the Americas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-American_Driving_Permit
Providing your licence is in English there is no requirement for an International Driving Permit in the UK.
More importantly for driving in the UK is to familiarise yourself with the relevant sections of the Highway Code.
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1075 posts
I would also question arriving off a transatlantic flight, jumping into a hire car and driving on unfamiliar roads (and on the other side).
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for the replies! I apologize for the misspelling...of course it is Stonehenge.