International Driver's License

Kyle,

Just to clarify the terminology, it's an international Driver's Permit (you've used both terms in this thread). Given the small cost, I'd suggest getting an IDP as it could avoid problems if you do have any interactions with the police. You will of course have to pack along your home D.L.'s as well, as the IDP is not a licence per se. Your 2012 permit won't be any good, as IDP's are only effective for one year. I always pack one along, whether I plan on driving or not.

It depends on which countries you are visiting (and on which country issued your licence).
You have posted this under France, so I assume France is one of the countries you are driving in.
France requires a certified translation of your licence if it was issued by a country outside the Europe; and an IDP is a certified translation, so it is the simplest option. As the IDP is a translation, you require one for each licence, i.e. for your husband as well if he is going to drive.

Somewhere on your 2012 IDP there should be an expiration date. They are only valid for 1 year.

It is ALWAYS a very good idea to have one, not to mention required in France as a certified translation. And if it's not valid, it does no good. All drivers must have one.

Keep in mind that rental agencies often do not care if you have one or not. It is usually the police that will care. Hopefully you won't have a need for it.

I have never understood the avoidance of getting this. It's not a big expense as compared to the overall cost of your trip... and trust me, it can make things much easier. I have had to give mine to a police officer and it was incredibly helpful.

Thanks to all for your response. Thought it would be wise to get, and you have confirmed. Was hoping since it was not required I could skip over that prep item. Hope we won't have any encounters with the police but always better to be safe than sorry. Many thanks to all for responding.

Beware of those who say you 'don't need it'. You do need a certified translation, the IDP is just the easiest and cheapest way to get a certified translation.
It is also irrelevant whether the car hire company asks for it, or how many times you have been to France without having been stopped by the police. Would you drive in your own country without a licence on the basis that "you have never been stopped by the police"? A licence plus a certified translation (IDP) is a legal requirement, you are breaking the law without them.

You need an IDP for each driver. If only one of you has an IDP, that's the only person who should operate the car. I know the IDP is also required for Spain and Italy.

My IDP has come in handy when renting audio guides, etc at museums-after I have finished with car rentals, of course.

One other thing to consider - if you are involved in an incident which results in property damage or personal injury your insurance underwriter can easily invalidate your coverage on the grounds that you are not a properly licensed driver if you lack an IDP . As insurance companies are known for keeping clients best interests at heart I would be certain to have the IDP ( I always carry one )

Ben, your evidence almost completely contradicts your point: an official translation of your license is required to legally drive in France. The IDP provides an official translation (the main point of the IDP). The only other option is to obtain some other certified translation. But that doesn't include getting your high school French teacher to write it all down on a scrap of paper. So the most straightforward, easy way to have the paperwork is to get the IDP.

Your contention that it is highly unlikely to be needed may be valid, but is completely beside the point. It doesn't matter how safe you drive, accidents can and do happen. Police can and do provide checkpoints or traffic stops. It may have nothing to do with your own actions. To tell someone not to worry about doesn't help them if they do get in a jamb and need it and is irresponsible advice.

Furthermore, people have posted here that the IDP can be useful for other circumstances. I'll add one to that: The IDP also certifies that your US state license is valid and legal. Not all police will be able to tell that and sometimes even the rental agencies have a hard time. All 50 states issue their own license with their own quirks. Illinois used to give out stickers for renewals that you just pasted on the back. Didn't even have an expiration date on them. So it actually looked like the license had expired on the front until you turned it over and figured out the math from a dinky little paste-on sticker. My point being that I had a rental agency in England almost deny me a car because they were not convinced my license was valid. They asked for an IDP, which would have resolved it on the spot (didn't have one - who needs an IDP in Britain right?) After 15 minutes of sweating, a manager finally relented, and I got a car.

And for those that think the IDP is some sort of money making scheme devised by AAA: it is not. AAA just happens to be the authorized agent for issuing the IDP in the US. All other countries have their own authorized agent per international law.

My Intl license was also received in 2012 yet mine has an expiration of 2016.

Scott,

There is no such thing as an "Intl license". Where did you get it? The proper document approved by the relevant agencies is an International Driver's Permit and these are always valid for one year.

Ben,

I agree that having a translation of one's D.L. is also acceptable for driving in France, but it's hardly practical for thousands of travellers to hire translators prior to driving in Europe, especially if they'll be travelling in multiple countries. The I.D.P. is a much easier and more practical method of accomplishing the same thing, covers a number of different languages, and is also the "official" document of the countries which ratified the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic.

I know guys, sometimes it's tough to have someone be critical of your post. However, Douglas lays out some additional benefits of an IDP, merely showing that they have benefits beyond the translation. Britain is closer to Europe than most of the places we frequent so it's likely better than nothing.

Ben makes excellent points regarding the requirement of the IDP. I usually get them in Italy, never in France. I head to France in a few weeks and if I can drop by a AAA office, I'll pick one up. Totally worth it vs. spending hours dealing with police regarding my license.
Remember, Rick would want all of us to be nice to one another...

Some thoughts:

1. The law in France has recently changed to an IDP or certified explanation of your driver's is "strongly recommended." That translates to only an idiot would go without one.

2. Your 2012 IDP is worth the scrap value of the paper it is printed on.

3. The people at the rental car agency are not your friends, they care that they get their commission on the rental and know that regardless of what happens to you, they have you by the credit card and will get their bucks.

4. As pointed out above if you have an accident you run run the chance that the insurance company (the only people in the world who care less about you than the rental car people) will invalidate your insurance. If you just get caught in a traffic stop the cops can, if they wish, impound your car because you are not properly licensed to drive it. That's on top of all the fines.

It would have expired so you and your husband should both get them. Keep your regular driver's licenses on you at all times you are driving as well. We get ours from AAA as well. I can tell you that having the International Driving Permit is cheap and wise and those who would suggest you don't need it won't be there at that accident or traffic stop to explain to police why not nor pay your expenses when some misfortune costs you money.