Anyone know of an EU member state (country) that exchanges a California drivers license for a license of that country?
I am here on an extended vacation/sabbatical in Europe and I didn't think about this until i arrived here in Spain where i am starting my stay. However since they do not honor California drivers license i was thinking of going to a EU country that does.
When my wife [Canadian License] came to the UK for 5 years she was allowed to drive on her Canadian license for a year but then still had to take the full UK test. I am not aware of any country that will do a straight exchange for a US or Canadian License.
Jimmy, I think you can drive in Germany with your American drivers license. Perhaps checking with Rental Car agencies via their websites would answer your question. An international license, I believe, is not strictly necessary in some European countries. Be sure to have insurance, though.
In Germany you can only drive for 6 months on your American drivers license. As to which countries honor your drivers license, that is better researched on line. I believe that each state has its own reciprocal agreement with each country about their drivers license. For example, if I was from Michigan, I could just walk in and they would trade me my Michigan for a German license. Not a bad deal, considering a German license costs a min. of a 1000-1500 € to get. I am from Ohio though and they have no reciprocal agreement. There are some states where the Germans only require you to take the written test and other states where you have to take the driving and written tests. Confusing huh? That is why the best way is to look this up on line with your state and whatever country you are looking at. It may be that no country will honor your license and what will you do then? Why not go to a country where you don't need a drivers license? I haven't owned a car in 22 years and don't feel the need to either. I know though, that people drive on vacation, I am wondering that you could not do this up until your 6 months is finished. Look at the American consulate website too for Spain, it might give you some more information about this too.
Another thing to be aware of is most (all?) countries will only issue licences to residents. So even if you find a country that will exchange a California licence you probably won't be able to acquire a licence during a short visit but will have to establish and prove residency.
P.S. Are you sure that Spain will not let you drive on a US licence? I'm pretty sure visitors can drive on a US licence (with an IDP,) and you only need a local licence if you become a resident.
Peter is right, the residency is the first hurdle. For any meaningful comment one would have to know Jimmy's immigration status.
If hes a tourist he wouldnt be able to get a European DL at all. And if he's a Spanish resident, only Spain may issue him a DL.
You cannot "shop around" for the most favourable DL regulations...
Assuming you are a US citizen (US Passport) and have valid California Drivers License, you can drive with an IDP for at least the 90 days of your tourist visa. Since you have no IDP it sounds like, you may be able to contact the US Embassy and obtain either that or an accepted stamped translation. If you are on an extended (6 month or student) visa, the above may work for short periods as well. This would apply to all EU countries. Because of reciprocal agreements, it is your California license that is valid (in combination with the IDP) in all of these countries, no need to obtain a "local" license unless you are a long term resident. If you have other factors (not a US passport, no visa, license not valid) then you have greater issues than driving.
Most European countries do not require the IDP. Instead, your US license suffices, at least for a several month period of time. Spain is apparently an exception, as it does not recognize a USDL, or so I've read elsewhere.
@ Mike: "Most European countries do not require the IDP."
How is that supposed to work?
Imagine: You're a cop, and you've just stopped a vehicle. It's a camper with a gross weight of more than 4,000 kg. You`re on a highway and it's night. The driver sits on a seat cushion, but wears no glasses or contacts.
He has a foreign ("Republic of Example") driver's license (but no IDP or translation) that reads:
Class: E; Restrictions: EL; Endorsements: P
What do you do?
Just to add; according to the US State Dept, your US issued DL in conjunction with the IDP is valid in Spain. There are insurance requirements as well, details here:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html
Whether you can get an IDP there, im not sure, possibly from the equivalent auto club to the AAA in spain.
Mark said: "@ Mike: "Most European countries do not require the IDP."
How is that supposed to work?"
Mark - I was just commenting on what the rules are, not the practicalities. The IDP is recommended by AAA and other groups as a convenience. AAA explains it this way: "Valid in over 150 countries, the permit contains your name, photo and driver information translated into ten languages."
Personally, I always travel with the IDP simply because I think it's kind of cool. Having never been stopped while driving in a foreign country, I can't personally attest to its helpfulness or lack thereof in an actual situation. I just know that most European countries do not require the IDP so its value is really up to the individual traveller.
Mike, the more permissive countries may or may not be more numerous, but quite a few (Italy, Spain, and Germany, just to name the bigger ones) do require some official translation.
There is an easy solution!
Apply for an International Drivers Permit through AAA!
It's good for six months at a time, costs $15 and is valid in 150 countries.
You are supposed to bring the form to a AAA office in the US, but if you are already overseas, you can mail it into a branch office in the UK somewhere.
Works like a char, I have done that too.
I did this for years, since I had an American license because I was living in the USA for many years, and on my extended trips home to Europe I drove with the International one.
I'm not sure it matters if most countries do or don't require an IDP. It only matters if the country(s) you a planning to drive in do. Or you could take Corinna's approach and get one anyway.
My apologies! I had quickly scanned the responses and my brain just didn't make the connection betwee International Drivers Permit and IDP . . . duhhhh . .
I have always had difficulties with the American love affair with acronyms. Don't ask how long it took me to figure out what TGIF meant. Couldn't find it in any dictionary, and at first assumed it was a type of train! ;-))
Regarding the International Driver's Permit, I'm not sure whether this is required for driving in Spain or Germany, but I believe it's mandatory for driving in Italy with a foreign license.
I'm sure some foreigners have driven in Italy without an IDP and never had any problems, however Italian tourism advises that traffic fines (such as not having the correct documentation) can be severe, and are applied "on the spot".
From Spain-Info:
Drivers licence
Non-Residents can drive in Spain on a foreign driving license for a maximum of 6 months in the calendar year.
EU residents can drive on their existing EU license until it runs outs. When it does run out you must apply for a Spanish driving licence. Non-EU residents must obtain a Spanish driving license after one year.
