IDL (Int'l Driver license

Pedantic Alert: It's actually an ID P...International Driving Permit. It goes along with your valid drivers license from home, and mostly serves as a translation aid (a courtesy to the police officer who may be examining your exotic and unfamiliar drivers license).

You probably won't "need" an IDP to rent a car - the rental agency has no skin in the game; if you wind up in jail, it's not their problem, they'll get their car back, so they usually don't care.

The time when you (may) "need" an IDP is if you get stopped by police for a violation, or (god forbid) if you're in a serious accident. Technically, the IDP is required. Some folks choose to do without it. Like insurance, you only need to have it when you really need it.

I figure it's cheap (about $25 at the local Auto Club office), quick and easy to get. If I was in a serious accident or pissed off a local cop, I'd be wishing I had all possible ducks in a row. (In fact, I HAVE been stopped by cops in foreign countries a few times, each time I handed my IDP to them along with other paperwork...they have always let me go and just warned me to be more careful, even though I had clearly and obviously busted some traffic law right in front of them....did the IDP help smooth things over? Would those cops have been just as forgiving if I hadn't had an IDP along? Who knows.).

Some folks think that's silly, or even an outrage. For me, it's 25 bucks and 10 minutes, so pretty easy to justify when stacked against the "what if". Personally, I'll always bring one along on any foreign trip if I think I might be driving. YMMV. It's your call.

From the Embassy of France webpage: You may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license if it is accompanied by a notarized translation in French. It is strongly recommended that you carry an International Driving Permit. You must be 18 years of age or older to drive in France. (More information may be found here).

IDP is only $20 at AAA plus two passport photos. I’ve never been asked for it,

We always get one when driving in non-English countries just for the peace of mind. When you are some spending hundreds of dollars to travel, it is just a minuscule amount of money.

The only time we had a situation with the car, the cop asked for the IDL and seemed a bit disappointed that we were able to produce it. I think he hoped to be able to scold us about it. Mostly it just sits there doing nothing, until you need it. Kind of like travel insurance. We have only used it once in decades of travel; we were happy we had it when I ended up in the hospital.

Tom_mn

That's why I don't wear a crash helmet when I ride a motorbike. I don't intend crashing*

(Actually, yes I do, because I can't control everyone else's actions)

To drive in France as a short term visitor, and having a foreign driver's license, two things are required (according to the French government):

1. Your license must be otherwise valid
2. It must be in French or accompanied by an official translation or an International drivers permit (IDP).

https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1459

Official translations are valid as long as the license if valid. IDPs (there is no such thing as an IDL) are valid for two years, except those issued in the US which are valid for only 1 year.

I do not see the value in continually raising this question. People have already made up their minds to follow or to ignore the requirement.

"IDPs (there is no such thing as an IDL) are valid for two years, except those issued in the US which are valid for only 1 year."

Nope. IDPs issued in France are valid for three years.

If I still lived in the U.S., that would be one of my beefs with AAA. They want their money every year whereas other signatories to the treaty, such as France, issue an IDP at no cost to the driver that is valid for three years.

In my opinion, AAA's practice would be what a reasonable person would call a scam.

In my opinion, AAA's practice would be what a reasonable person would call a scam.

You are correct, Sammy. Those countries signing the 1968 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic did have IDP validity extended to a period of up to 3 years. The USA never signed the 1968 Convention, which is why US issued IDPs are only valid 1 year. The 1 year period has nothing to do with AAA or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), the only two certified issuing agents of IDPs in the USA, and if it is a scam, a claim that is difficult to substantiate, particularly by a reasonable person, it certainly is not one perpetrated by AAA.

AAA follows the US law, doesn't set it. Grumpy? See your politicians...

Again, ty for all the input. Interesting topic to say the least. So, went to my local AAA office, 15 min. and $32 later I'm official. They actually take a better quality pic than the MVC. The card itself, with the designated AAA stamp of approval looks like it is from a quality board game. A little piece of mind, just in case. Now onto packing. Leave Thursday. Again, ty all.