We will be renting a car in Sweden......do we need an International Driver's license? The Auto rentalsaid nothing about this and I can't remember Rick Steve's saying anything about this?
Thank you
Debbie
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, and Vatican City require non-Europeans to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their domestic license.
If you won't be going to any of these countries, you can skip the IDP.
If you might be going to any of these, you should definitely get one. I got mine at AAA before driving in Germany, Austria and Italy. Although no one ever asked me for it (no accidents, tickets or other run-ins with law enforcement), it would have been foolish to drive without one.
Posted by
Renton, WA, USA
240 posts
Since the IDP is so inexpensive, I would suggest to get one and feel safe..because you never know.
Also, make sure you get the "super" insurance. We had a small fender bender in Italy and when we returned the car, there was no problem..even through the car had some damage. No questions asked.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
You can also print the application online
click here for the form.
You will need 2 pictures (Auto club can take it for you for $8 if you forget). Remember to sign the back of your pictures.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
The main reason for needing an International Driver's license is for the multiple translations provided for the benefit of the responding police officer. Now you might/probably would find a non English literate police officer in rural areas of much of Europe (and maybe urban areas as well) but not in Sweden. We travel to Sweden to visit family and every resturant, gas station or whatever has someone who speaks at least halting English (but usually fluent English). I can't imagine a Swedish police officer who is illerate in English. I just take my CA driver license. Still, at AAA it's 20 bucks.