International drivers license required in Portugal?

Hi Alex, i have rented cars in Portugal over 20 times and never had one. This summer my nephew rented a car and was involved in an accident and was not asked for it. Others may have differing opinions...Good luck!

It appears from previous posts you will be doing a good bit of driving on this trip. If that is the case, why not get an IDP? Better to have it and not need it than the other way around. They should be available at your nearest AAA office for a price that is very low compared to the overall cost of the trip. Just food for thought.

The law in Portugal, as well as those in France and Italy, require you to carry an IDP. You'll only need it if requested by the police. I don't know what the fines would be in Portugal, but in Italy if you are asked and don't have one you can be subjected to a €400 fine. For twenty bucks, why take the chance?

"We have never needed in France or Italy" - You almost certainly did need it, but you never knew because you were never stopped by the police. Would you say you don't need a licence in your home town, based on the fact you have never been required to show it?

If you are stopped by the police stopped and you do not have an IDP plus your original licence, not only will you be fined (for driving without a valid licence), but you will not be allowed to drive any further, and if you have had an accident the insurance will be invalid as you are an unlicensed driver.

Thank you for the info!

This is for my daughter and son in law and they actually will only be driving for 3 days in Portugal.
When I said we didn't need in France or Italy I meant that we were never asked for it (by police, car rental etc).

Seems like in theory good to have but I have yet to hear of anyone being asked for one.

Well, I can tell you that we have been stopped twice in France, one time near Gap and I can't remember the other place. They were just routine pull-overs (not knitted sweaters) to check our papers. We gave les gendarmes our documentation, including our IDP, all was well and they wished us "Bonne Route". What I cannot say is what would have taken place had we not had the IDP, except that I would have been very nervous.

Alex,

As Chris and others have said, an I.D.P. IS required for Italy and France. It's the law! France will also accept a certified translation of the terms of your home D.L. in French. You were very fortunate that you weren't stopped by police and even more fortunate that you weren't involved in an incidente stradale as it could have been a most unpleasant holiday experience. The same rules apply in Greece and Spain.

There was a post here several months ago from a traveller who was stopped in Spain and wasn't able to produce an IDP. The police accompanied her to an ATM and she was fined €500 on the spot (I believe that was the amount but I'd have to try and locate that thread again). I haven't checked on Portugal but given the small cost for an IDP, I'd highly recommend that each driver get one.

Hi there:
This is our 2nd year in Portugal/Azores and we do a lot of driving. I was advised to get an IDL by a friend, but noone's ever asked for it. When I rented the car and produced it, the Clerk shook her head, laughed and said: you don't need that here. But: I believe that if you're in an accident, you may be asked to produce it, I'm not sure, but best to be Safe, as it's only $39 AND, it's good for 1 year if you travel again. Good Luck!

"Would you say you don't need a licence in your home town, based on the fact you have never been required to show it?"

Well, I have been required to show it. It has been decades since I received any traffic citations, but there are frequent police stops set up around where I live to catch drunk drivers. Everyone is stopped and required to at least show valid license and insurance papers.

As far as the IDP, get it. Then you won't have to worry.