I'm currently vacationing in France (in Bordeaux through August 15) when I'll be traveling to Italy. We've just decided to rent a car in Italy and I don't have an international driving permit. Does anyone know how I might get an international driving permit for my US license from France? (Yes, I know it would have been a lot easier to get the permit in the US but we hadn't decided to rent a car when I left the US. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Laura
It has to come from your country and residence and you don't have time.
Pretty impossible once you are in France. Here's a link, but it's in French. You have to put together a file which includes your French residency permit, two photos, your French driver's license, and take it all to the local prefecture where you live. In other words, can't be done locally.
Ed is correct, you simply don't have time to do it by mail. You cannot get one outside your own country.
Anticipating your next question, while chances are no one will ever ask to see your IDP, if a police officer does and you don't have one, you can be fined. It might also affect the legality of driving, which means if there was an accident, could it void your insurance if you don't have an IDP? A tougher question but one that you would never want to have to find out.
So -- for people still at home, the message is get the IDP from AAA If there is ANY chance you may want to drive during your trip. Takes just a few minutes and about $20.
Actually, In Italy unlike in France, there is a decent chance that the rental car company representative will ask to see the IDP. I'd have a backup plan in case that happens when you go to pick up the rental.
I have rented cars all over Europe, including France and Italy through different agencies and have never had or been asked for an IDL.
The rental agency doesn't care squat about and IDP -- the fuzz does.
Get asked for one in a nation that requires it and see how deep you have to dig into your pocketbook. It's not going to come up at a regular roadblock for alcohol screening or something, but do anything that makes the law come to you and it's KatieBarTheDoor.
I've been asked for my IDP in Greece (which requires it) and in England (which doesn't). But not in Spain (which requires it). Point? You never know when you'll need it so have it.
Checkpoints are not uncommon and they may well ask for your drivers license and IDP (both work in tandem). And accidents do happen...
..." It might also affect the legality of driving, which means if there was an accident, could it void your insurance if you don't have an IDP? " Douglas nails this , I'll go one step further , It's virtually a certainty that the insurance would be voided . Insurance companies , for all the claims they make about protecting you , are in business to protect themselves . If they can use what might be considered a technicality to avoid paying a claim , count on it . As I am about to begin another protracted trip across the pond , I will , as always , have an IDP regardless of my plans ( Although on this trip a car between London and Edinburgh is a foregone conclusion , including an IDP ) .
Laura,
I always travel with an I.D.P., whether I plan on driving or not (I've already got my renewal for this year). I figure for 30 bucks or whatever, it's not going to break the bank or ruin my holiday budget. You may find it helpful to read THIS section from the excellent Ron In Rome website, as it provides a lot of good information on the topic of IDP's.
If I were in your position (and knowing that you won't be able to obtain an IDP), one option might be to find an Italian translator wherever you are, and have the terms of your home license translated. The RIR website quotes this from the Italian State Police website - "It is necessary to have an international license or your American state license accompanied by an official translation in Italian."
Good luck!
Many thanks to everyone for the speedy and thoughtful responses. I certainly should have gotten an IDP before I left home.
However, given current circumstances, I'm going to try to get an official translation of my license in Italian. FWIW, there's a list of official translators in Rome on the US Embassy's website. http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/professionals/translators/translators-rome.html I've emailed all of them to see if they can provide an official translation. Fingers crossed.
-Laura
