International drivers license for car and/or scooter rentals in the Greek Islands

Short-term Car Rentals: Greek law requires that visitors carry a valid U.S. driver’s license and an international driver’s permit (IDP), even if the rental company does not request to see your IDP. The Embassy does not issue IDPs
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html

Another discussion on the subject here---
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/greece/will-my-us-driver-s-license-work-in-greece

I see a lot of “may require.” It’s very easy to get at AAA.

It does not cost much, I think maybe $30 or a little more to include your picture.. Spending thousands of dollars on trip this is an extremely minor amount and will give you great piece of mind. As said AAA does it or they used to,

Thanks everyone. Looks like it is better to get one. I appreciate your input!

Since November 2021 it is no longer required by law. Some rental providers may still require it

An IDP is no longer required for citizens of several countries.

In November 2021 there was a change to the number of countries that do not have to provide an international driver’s permit in order to legally drive in Greece if you are staying in the country for less than 6 months.

This means that these countries join the list of European countries that don’t need to get an international driver’s permit (IDP) to legally drive in Greece.

The Greek Government website lists the countries that don’t need an international driver’s permit. Greek Law requires any country not on this list to have an International Driving Permit to legally drive in Greece.

Here are the 20 countries that, along with the European Union member countries, don’t need an international driving license in Greece:
Australia Belarus Brazil Canada
Chile Costa Rice Ghana Indonesia
Iran Israel Japan Albania
Serbia South Africa South Korea Switzerland
United Kingdom Ukraine United States of America Venezuela

We visited Crete for two weeks in May and rented a car. The rental agent said that a IDL was not required, but if the police pull you over, it's good to have one. Since we never got pulled over, or had an accident, we'll never know if the police needed our IDL.

Also, when I picked up the rental car, I was asked if I wanted a no deducible plan, I said no. He came back with a lower price for the same coverage. I still said no. I guess those add-ons can be negotiable!

The agent was really good about documenting every scratch on the car. Sometimes the roads are narrow, and when you pull over to the right when a car is coming the other way (or when the car behind you wants to pass on your left on a two lane road), I can see where you could collect some scratches.

Have a great trip!

We went on vacation in Greece in 2023, 2024, and this year. We didn’t need, nor were we asked for, an IDP. I get one anyway since we always go to Italy before and after to visit with family and friends and I do a lot of driving there. It’s not required for Americans to have the IDP by Greek law. Period. Can we please end this discussion? I wish people did research before making topics that are a waste of everybody’s time.