international drivers liscence

If it is a legal requirement (which it is in some countries), then you have to have it. The car rental company may well not ask for it, but, if you are ever stopped by the police in one of those countries and do not have one you are driving illegally.
How many years since you were last stopped by the police and asked for your licence? A long time, so if somebody said to you "I have driven around for months without a licence and nobody has asked to see it, therefore I don't need one" would you say that is the correct thing to do?

Dig back about a year ago on this site for a report from someone in Italy who had a very minor fender scratch but the police were involved and didn't have an IDP. Had to beg hard according to him to keep from getting the vehicle impounded because he did not have a valid license to drive the car away. The old question ----- Better to have it and not need it or to need it and not have it. You decide.

It only takes one incident in Italy that involves the police and you not having one that will be a regret. Go to your local AAA office and get it. Painless.

I didn't have one for years, and it was not a problem - including being stopped by police a couple of times. However, I get one now after seeing a notice on the La Spezia Europcar office that said (I'm translating) 'No IDP, No car.' If an officious counter clerk will deny a car to hapless vacationers, an officious cop will certainly enjoy writing a ticket to them.

However, it is not a license, it is called a Permit. It is only an accepted form of translation for your driving license and it would not affect your responsibilities in an accident. Bottom line, it's easy and cheap, so do it.

For a few dollars and 30 minutes time are you are willing to risk it?
The times are a changin' How much are you spending on your trip? I'm sure the $ 35.00 won't hinder you from having a great time.
Lorieann

Last year in Germany, it was a requirement to rent a car. Costs $10 and a few minutes time.

sandra,

You may have driven without an International Driver's Permit for 36 years and not had a problem, but things have changed so it's prudent to have one these days. Note that it is not a license per se, but rather a translation of the terms of your license. It must be used in conjunction with your home D.L.

An I.D.P. is compulsory in Italy, Greece and some other countries, and highly recommended in others. France requires either an I.D.P. or a certified translation of the terms of your home license. This article provides some information on the topic.....

http://www.fodors.com/news/how-to-drive-in-europe-10706

There was a post here several months ago from someone who was fined €250 (as I recall) when stopped at a routine traffic check in Spain. Although they had an I.D.P., they didn't have it with them when asked, and were fined on the spot! Reportedly the Police officer marched them to the nearest ATM so they could obtain the cash.

If you're involved in an MVI while driving in Greece, you'll be in a world of misery if you can't produce an I.D.P.!!! One of the regular posters in the "Greece" section of the forum provided a good summary of the consequences, but I'd have to search to find it.

For the sake of $20-30 and two photos, it's a really good idea for each driver to pack along an I.D.P.

We hired cars twice in Italy last year and had to supply IDP both times to get car. For the 5 minutes it takes to get it, why not.

Nobody now give you no break
Italian police give you no break
When Carabiniere John Brown come for you
Tell me watcha wanna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

I've never had to show my drivers license at home before but that doesn't mean I don't need to have one. You don't need an international "license" you need and IDP-international drivers permit (a simple translation of your license).

Rental car companies are refusing rentals if one isn't produced. It's a legal requirement so pay the $20 and get one from AAA for everyone who will be driving. They are valid for a year. They are used in conjunction with your actual license and both must be produced.

Donna

I was in Italy this last April and per recommendations of this board went to AAA and got my International License for a small fee Upon arrival in Milan at the car rental place they wanted to see my American license and also my International license. I highly recommend you getting one. I usually travel twice a year to Germany as well and I was never asked for an International license perhaps its because I am native German living in the USA? No clue. We are heading back to Italy in August and my husband got his International license now as well.

An IDP is not required in Germany if your home license is in English.

Susanne, it's not a license, it's a permit. It's an official translation of your license. It is required by law when driving in Italy if you come from North America and other areas.

Donna

These questions baffle me. Why on earth would one risk getting denied their car (potentially ruining their ability to go to their planned destinations), or getting a huge ticket if stopped to save...$20? It's painless, take your normal US license to AAA, pay them, and you have it in 10 minutes. If your destination lists it as a requirement...get it. Don't count on getting rental agents or cops who ignore the regulation because we all know there are plenty of sticklers out there!

Thank you Donna :)

O.K d'accord!!! Thanks for all of the replies-we will go to get it tomorrow!!!! Better than not having it

Just got back from Italy where we rented a car in Florence through Hertz. We had forgotten to do this before we left, and I worried a little after reading things here.. but we had no problems. They just wanted the US Driver License. I'd just say it's a good thing to get before the trip, but don't lose sleep over it if you find yourself in Europe approaching a rental car counter without one. You'll probably be fine.

I've always gotten one and never had to present it EVER.

I have a Pennsylvania drivers license and have never had to present it--ever! Does that mean I don't need it? The law is the law. Just because you didn't need to show it on your trip doesn't mean you don't need to have one.

Donna

Some people seem not to understand.

You don't need it to rent a car in most cases. Rental car agents won't ask for one. I've never been asked for one and I've rented cars in Italy with a California DL for over a quarter century.

HOWEVER, if you have an accident (or if are stopped by police) you will probably need one, especially if you kill or injure someone

Got that folks?

Roberto, I've been asked the last three times I've rented a car to produce my IDP. The most recent time was in February. Some companies do require them in order to get the car.

Donna

I think some tend to minimize the purpose of the IDP by calling it a "translation" of your valid drivers license. It is really much more than that. IDPs came about as a result of an International Convention that set agreements for honoring the driving licenses of each others countries. The IDP, while it does provide information in a standard format and in multiple languages, is actually a Notarized document that attests that the bearer, in conjunction with the actual drivers license, actually does has a valid license, with any restrictions or allowances as noted. That is why they are only issued by designated agencies ( In the US the AAA, but also some Governmental entities)

Consider the alternative, some policeman in small town South Dakota pulls over a car with a driver who produces a rumpled paper card in gibberish, indicating that it is a license. What to do? Haul them in? Let them go? How would one know?....an IDP