International Drivers Licence

Also in the US you don't need a drivers' license to drive as long as the police doesn't catch you. You can also drive drunk in America, as long as you don't get pulled over and given a sobriety test.

If you get stopped by the Italian police without an international driver's permit, or an official sworn translation of your home license, the fine is 400€ to 1600€. Or maybe, if you start to cry like a baby, the policeman will have pity on you and let you get away with it.

If you want to take that risk to save yourself $15 and 10 minutes of your time at AAA, go right ahead.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/international-drivers-license-2379fe58-f7b3-41e5-abff-81aa3570263b

It's not a license, it's a permit, so don't leave your state DL at home thinking you only need the permit. The people who told you you don't "need" the permit apparently didn't get pulled over by police.

Not just the fine, but the police will not let you drive the car any further. Unless someone else is an authorised driver and has an IDP or EU-licence, then that means a taxi and a tow truck to return the car, both at your expense. That would put a downer on the rest of your stay.
And, if the police are talking to you because of an accident, the insurance would be invalidated because you were not a legal driver - expensive.

P.S. dmalanch, you don't say where you are from, but you only need an IDP if your licence is from outside Europe.

Just get it. It is basically a form translating your valid license from home into a internationally standard format. Costs $20 or so at AAA and takes all of 10 minutes. I think sometimes people assume it is a license, with a test and rules, when really it is extremely easy to get.

Why would one drive in a foreign country without the legal requirement? The cost-benefit analysis doesn't work out. Plus technically the rental agency could refuse to rent to you (but I haven't seen this).

Go to AAA, show them your drivers license and for 20 bucks they will take your photo and issue you IDP (International Drivers Permit valid for 1 year). If you are not a member of AAA then $25. It's worth it considering high fine and other problems if you are caught.

Yes.

It is important to remember that the IDP requirement is ONLY for holders of drivers' licenses issued by a non -EU Member State or a state of the European Economic Area.

If you have a European license, then you can drive without an IDP.

I'd say it's the law so that is reason enough to do it.

It was super easy to get, I never had to show it but I was glad I had it just in case.

I just got mine for our upcoming trip in June. It takes only 15 minutes. With photos taken it was less than 35 bucks. Don't risk it.

Just got ours today! Took maybe 15 minutes, including the time to take and print the photos. $20 per plus $6 for the photos. You can fill out the form online and save another couple of minutes - http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html.

I would assume you would be required to show it and your drivers license upon renting the car?

I've never had to show my IDP when picking up a rental car, but I still get one every trip when I know I'm going to be driving. You never know when you might need to produce it. The potential consequences of not having one is not worth the risk.

An I.D.P. (or certified translation of the terms of your D.L. in Italian) is compulsory for driving in Italy with a North American license. This is used in conjunction with your home D.L. so you'll have to take that too. I.D.P.'s are valid for one year. You may never be asked to produce it, but especially in the event of an incidente stradale you'll be glad you decided to pay a few bucks for an I.D.P.