Two more questions for driving...

One only "needs" an international driver's permit if they are stopped (for any reason) by local traffic authorities. If that occurs and you don't have one, you will wish you did. The permit is a mere $20 at AAA - with a small charge for passport size photos (2). Call it a "peace of mind" investment". You do not need to be a AAA member to request one.

It took me all of 20 minutes including the picture to get my IDP at AAA. I showed it, my Driver’s license and credit card when renting from AutoEurope/Hertz in Naples.

Yes, we have always had one for other countries. But, I believe it is for the translation, maybe?? So, in Ireland they speak English and it isn't required..?? I'm not sure, just heard it from someone else. We'll get it unless we really don't need it. I don't read it in RS Ireland book unless I'm missing something.

As I was informed at AAA, your (California issued) driver's license doesn't mean much in Europe, other than a secondary form of identification. I've only driven in Iceland - where (proudly) presenting my International Driving Permit netted me a 12% rental discount - although the rental agency didn't require that I have one.

The International Driving Permit (not license) issued by AAA is simply an authorized, multi-language translation of your current driver's license so that an officer can quickly see that you have a valid driver's license. Probably not as critical for English speaking countries but fairly important for nearly everyone else. This is a classic case of ---- Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Your choice.

It isn't just a translation - it is a statement of authenticity.

OK, sounds like we should get one. Thanks!

This question engenders an absurd amount of ink considering how little the IDP costs and how little time it takes to obtain it. I was glad to see that the responders, so far, have not gone the “ I’ve never gotten it; I’ve never needed it” route. I can tell you that, yes, it’s quite unpredictable; but I was asked for it at the car rental desk at the Athens airport. Also, random police stops on roads in Italy are common, but English-speaking cops, not so much. We were flagged down a couple of times, and producing my IDP seemed to facilitate them speeding us on our way. I have no idea what the object of the exercise was, and the officers could not clarify it because of no common language between us.
The reply in Frank’s next to last sentence above sums it up very succinctly.

Yes, we have always had one, and been stopped in Italy and Germany, however we were never asked for it. The only reason I asked is because I was told by someone we didn't need it for Ireland. We are only traveling to Ireland on this trip. Yes, I realize it's only a few minutes and $20, but if it wasn't needed then I could save that. Sounds like its just better to get it. No big deal.

Thanks all!

I don't know if this is fake news, but:
https://walkingontravels.com/driving-in-ireland-with-a-us-license/

CAN YOU DRIVE WITH US LICENSE IN IRELAND?

Good news for U.S., Canadian and European Union residents! You don’t
need to get an international driver’s license. You can drive with a US
license in Ireland and Northern Ireland, as long as it is valid while
you are traveling. You must also meet the usual car rental age
requirements (check rental car agency for details). The same goes for
Canadian and EU citizens. So, save yourself the $15 (or so + passport
photo costs) on that international license when going on a trip to
Ireland. Just don’t forget your home country driver’s license.

Whoever wrote that, Edgar, clearly has the name of the document wrong - so what else is wrong, I ask myself. There is no such thing as an International Driver's License. It is an IDP ... Permit.

If he can't get the name right how much other research has done - or not done?

Auto Europe assessment:
https://www.autoeurope.com/international-driving-permit-ireland/

DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE IN IRELAND?

Ireland International Drivers Permit Although Americans are allowed
to drive in Ireland for up to 12 months with their US license,
having an international driving permit in Ireland can be beneficial.
This permit is used alongside your everyday drivers license and makes
things much easier in many different instances. One example of a
situation when an international drivers permit is useful is when
renting a car in Ireland. Although most car rental agencies do not
have mandatory requirements for international licenses, it certainly
makes the entire process much easier. An international drivers
license in Ireland can also come in handy if you are stopped by police
while driving on the roadways or if you happen to get into a
fender-bender. The license eliminates language barriers in Ireland
and any other location throughout Europe so you can get back on the
road and enjoy your time in the country.

Susan and Monte,
We spent the month of May in Ireland, both the Republic and NI. I used the following for navigation:
1. Google maps—downloaded offline map so data was not required
2. AA Road Atlas Ireland 2019
3. Michelin Ireland Map 712

And although we did not purchase gps as part of our car rental, the car had sat nav which we utilized some. We relied the most on google maps which worked beautifully.

From the State Department website:
You may use your existing U.S. driver’s license in Ireland for a temporary stay; this can be for any period of time up to a maximum of one year. Some insurance and car rental companies may request an International Driving Permit in addition to your existing driver’s license. To apply for an International Driving Permit, please contact the American Automobile Association. You are required to apply for an Irish driver’s license if you become a resident of Ireland.

We knew technically that our Canadian permit was ok to use on its own in the U.K. but we got the international one just in case and we could also leave it when required for rentals of touring audio guides in museums instead of our legal one from home as if they misplaced that one, I would have the one that counts.

For maps, we had our Garmin with the European maps loaded for the U.K. and will use it again this fall in Ireland. We supplement it with our google maps on our phones (in towns while walking around) and I brought a planning maps to keep in the car just to have an idea where we are in general terms and what is nearby. ( if that makes sense ). We never had a detailed map. I wonder if we should for Ireland.

International Driver's Permit (note not "license") isn't required for Ireland, either Republic or UK. I had an unexpired one from last year, so packed it just in case - even though I knew it wasn't required.

None of our group in 2014 had an IDP, and when we got in an accident, there was no problem from the Garda or our rental agency.

My only experience with the police while in Europe was about 10 years ago, we had a significant accident in Austria (no injuries). The 2 Austrian officers who seemed to know little English were our best friends after about 45 minutes, eventually driving us to the nearest city with a train station so we could get back to Salzburg. We were never asked for an IDP (was asked to take a breathalyzer!). Having said that I go to AAA every year and get an new IDP, seems for $25 or so pretty minor part of the expense of a European vacation! Yes I had a shiny new unwrinkled IDP for our 10 days in Ireland earlier this month.

I found Garmin to be "generally" reliable although occasionally led us astray. So did the GPS in the Renault we rented (never really figured out the programming for this unit). The one time on the Ring of Kerry we were completely befuddled Google Maps to the rescue. Kills your phone pretty quickly though.

John, what you said about Google maps killing your phone quickly makes me ask, do the rental cars in Ireland have cigarette lighters/charging ports that will handle an American car charger?

Rebecca, they look and work just like the power points in cars all around the world, and the US and Canada.

Many modern cars don't have cigarette lighters to go in them, but the power points are in most cars - unless they are part of the world wide design for a particular car to not be there.

Many newer cars have USB and HDMI ports too.

Thank you. I figured it might be a stupid question, but thought I'd check anyway! So now I need to remember my car charger! :)

Never had a rental that did not have at least one conventional "cigarette lighter" plug.

Most have a couple of USB ports now also.

Auto Europe and other Rental car agencies now require drivers to possess an International Drivers Permit. Ibid re AAA