Intl' Drivers Permit

Rented from Hertz in Venice last week. Since I had gone through the hassle and expense of getting an IDL, I offered it at check-in and he wasn't in the least bit interested in seeing it. He stated that I needed it in case I was stopped by the police, but he really only wanted to see my "real" driver's licence for rental purposes.

yes - the latest word is that you need one. Very easy to get at AAA.

Not sure how the search function works for helpline, but I read quite a lot about this about a month ago on one of the threads.

Might be a good idea to ask your rental car company if they require one as a condition of rental.

When we were there this May Hertz definitely asked for it. There is also a substantial fine (on the spot) if you are stopped by the Police and don't have it.

As mentioned above, it's not so much a car rental thing, it's a police thing.

An international drivers license is just a translation of your home license into other languages, so if a policeman stops you and knows no English, he can still read your driver's info, know that's it's valid, get the info he needs to write your citation, whatever.

If you get a policeman who's having a bad day, or one who resents people who don't speak Italian, he could burn you for not following the rules and having a license he can read. I recommend getting one. I think they're only valid for a year, so don't get one too far in advance.

It is Italian law and since it costs only $15 I am always surprised at how much resistance there is to this business of getting an IDP. If you never need it when you are in Italy, consider yourself lucky . . . it means you did not have an accident or any other reason to show your credentials to the police.

I agree with comments from others. If the law requires the international permit, why not buy one? I started driving in Europe years ago before this gimmick was invented.

I have driven thousands of miles in Europe (including Italy) without being asked for one, but I might be asked next week.

I have been stopped in Czech Rep and all the patrolman asked for was $15 in local currency. He didnt even want to see my drivers license.

When stopped in Hungary, the same experience except he looked at my drivers license and obviously couldnt read it, but asked for $9. I counted it just another travel expense like a toll.

Well Kent, Hertz certainly asked to see my IDP when we rented in Orvieto this May. The car rental reservation/confirmation also clearly stated that an IDP was required. Perhaps others are not so strict, don't know...

Required in Italy - it's the law. Most reputable rental car vendors will ask for it. Some do not. If stopped by the polizia, you will be expected to have one if you are not a local or EU citizen.

Ciao,
Ron

Neal - like you, we had been to Italy before and did not need the permit. We went again last year, didn't bother with it and were never asked about it at the rental car agency. I found out later though that the law had CHANGED since the last time we were in Italy and I should have gotten a permit. Next trip to Italy I'll get it.

Thanks so much for all the posts - we will certainly get one!

That is a good decision Neal. From what I read the Italian police are now asking for the IDP much more frequently now and if you don't have one they fine you right on the spot. Much more than the $15 or so it cost to get one.

Just a note, police officers in Italy don't usually stop you for speeding or whatever (they have machines for that). Instead they randomly stop people to see that they have their car insurance in order, that they have a valid license etc. It's just a big load off your mind to know that if they do wave you over, you have nothing to worry about.

I was in Italy and did not have one - as the others have said the rental company never asked. But ironoically I was stopped by the police at a roadblock and they never asked either. I used to get one in the past (80s and 90s) but the last few times I have not bothered - next time I will get it just in case.

I lived in Italy five years, got the IDP and was never asked for it, and I would still do it again. Italian law requires it (I looked up the code, in Italian) and you might just get the one policeman who asks for it. Fines in Italy are paid on the spot. $15 vs. on-the-spot fines...no brainer, really.

Neal, beside getting the IDP, please make sure you get the extra insurance too!! We had an accident within 3 hours of arriving in Italy. Thank goodness we had that extra peace of mind!! When we took the car back after 4 weeks, we were completely covered and they said nothing about the damage since we had the super insurance! Even if they person that ran into us been hurt, they would have been covered too! BTW..this accident happened in Naples, and there are NO LAWS towards driving there..take your life in your hands! Watch out for the crazy vespas!!