international drivers licenses

No. But I have one.

Jean,
Italian law says you need an International driving permit,http://www.italia.it/en/useful-information/faq/visas-permissions-and-authorizations.html You can get it from AAA.

You only need one if you plan to drive. When we rented a car in Italy I was the only driver, so my husband didn't need one. If I remember correctly the charge for an extra driver was about 20€ per day. We saved a lot by only having one driver. They did not ask to see the IDP at the rental office. When you really need one is if you encounter law enforcement by being pulled over or if you are involved in a accident.

The rental agencies will probably not ask you for one. However, if you get stopped by law enforcement (quite possible), and they cannot read your American (or other country's) drivers license because it is not in Italian translation, you may get into bigger trouble. This is the main prudential reason for getting an IDP. It is the law, and even if the rental agencies don't enforce it and you might get away with not having one as far as they concerned, you might really regret it if you should get pulled over for some reason.

Jean, For driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. Regarding "fines on the spot", the U.S. State Department website states "U.S. citizens driving in Italy should also note that, according to Italian regulation, if a resident of a non-European Union country (e.g. the United States) violates a traffic law, the violator must pay the fine at the time the violation occurs to the police officer issuing the ticket. If the citizen does not or cannot pay the fine at the time, Italian regulation allows the police officer to confiscate the offender's vehicle (even if the vehicle is a rental vehicle)." You may not be asked for an I.D.P. when you rent the vehicle, however if you're involved in any kind of "Incidente Stradale" where the Police attend, you'll be glad that you spent a few bucks and obtained one. You'll also need to be VERY AWARE of the dreaded ZTL areas, which are increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns (especially Florence). There was a recent example here on the HelpLine of an individual that was contacted by a Collection Agency to retrieve a fine from Italy (by the time this was resolved, the fine was about $500). Happy travels!

A couple of other things to think of: Italian law enforcment agencies quite often set up checkpoints and pull people over at random. This has happened to me 3 times in 2 years and I was asked for my IDP each time. So you don't neccesarily have to be involved in an incident to have to produce it. Also, it'd be a kick in the butt to get to the rental counter and get the one guy in all of Italy that wants to see the IDP before giving the car out.
The IDP is cheap and easy to get.

Were in Italy 3 weeks ago.Never been asked at the rental counter to show it. But if police stop you,you better have one.
$15.00 for a permit is VERY cheap peace of mind.

Jean -- We picked up an IDP yesterday at our local AAA. Painless transaction. We simply showed up, filled out the form, had a picture taken ... $15 and fewer than 10 minutes later, we walked out with IDP in hand.

"Also, it'd be a kick in the butt to get to the rental counter and get the one guy in all of Italy that wants to see the IDP before giving the car out." I've had this happen in Greece, where an IDP is required. Not a pleasant experience to learn your vacation plans are now in the garbage because you cannot rent a car. I've also had this happen in England, where an IDP is not required. But the agent could not verify my state license because it had a renewal sticker on the back, but the front expiration date was past. They finally gave in, but it was a close call and they did ask for an IDP, which would have verified my license was valid. And as everyone - but one :( - has said, it is the LAW. I'd also hate to think that your insurance might be negated if in an accident because you were cited for not having the IDP.

Thanks for all your advice. For new travelers to Italy it is good to hear your comments. We have been to England and have never had this problem so it was a puzzle why Italy would require it. But for ten minutes at AAA it is worth getting! Jean

Umm. The point of an IDP is to be a translation of your drivers license, not a substitute. It comes in handy in Italy, where it is required, and France where it is not but yet keeps your gendarme happy. A British police officer requesting one of an American is unheard of. Why? The license is in ENGLISH!

"A British police officer requesting one of an American is unheard of. Why? The license is in ENGLISH!" Doug - I'm not sure if this quote was in reference to my post, but I was the only one that mentioned needing it in England. It was not a police officer, it was a rental car agent. It wasn't the translation that was needed, it was to verify that my license was valid. My state license had a renewal sticker on the back, but the expiration date on the front was out of date. The sticker was not very clear and the agent was hesitant to accept it. She asked if I had an IDP, as that would have verified for her that my license was indeed still valid. An IDP doesn't just translate your license, it validates it too. There is no way rental agents and police throughout Europe can easily confirm the validity of all 50 state licenses. So based on my own experiences, I always now recommend having an IDP whether it is required or not. It's just good practice.