International Driving Permit Portugal

The requirement (or wisdom) of having an IDP is not about a rental car company, it's about the police. FWIW, I've rented dozens of cars overseas, and no car rental agency has ever asked to see my IDP. They don't care about it - why would they? If you get a ticket, it's not their problem.

Get stopped by a police officer, though, and they very well may expect an IDP and there may be consequences if you don't have one. Seems like an unnecessary risk to just skip it. I drive a lot overseas and always, ALWAYS have an IDP. I figure if it helps make the cop even a little bit happy at the beginning of our encounter, it's money well spent. Last couple times I was stopped by a police officer overseas, I handed them my US DL and the IDP. Both times, I was just given a warning and told to drive on, no ticket.

I look at getting an IDP as very cheap insurance, and for a few bucks every couple years, seems like a no brainer to me. YMMV. Good luck.

Sorry, but I believe that the conclusion you have reached is incorrect.

Portugal is a signatory to the 1949 Convention, as modified in the EU for EU format licences, and as such requires an IDP in conjunction with a valid home license.

Rental car companies have their own rules, and their incentive is to rent you a car, not keep you out of trouble with the police, and as such their call centre staff member and even the car hire guy/gal behind the counter don't check an IDP usually nor even inquire if a customer has one.

It is for your dealings with the police and perhaps an other party (and their insurance) in a collision or other traffic issue.

If you want the authoritative answer ask the 1949 Convention as modified.

Why do so many people object to the IDP?

IF you get stopped by the police, they can fine you for not having one if you are in a country where the language on your license is not that of the location you are in. Hope you don't get stopped, and it would be rare unless you are in an accident, but what if you do? For all that you are already spending on your trip would it kill you to spend $20 - $30 to get the IDP and then have zero worries about whether anyone will ever ask for it?

And the other topic you stated this conclusion in is still open for comments. The answers you will get have not changed.

Roberto, if you stick around here long enough, you'll see anyone can get fake licenses from any country pretty easily. The IDP is not just about translation, its a third party certification (the notarized signature of an authorized representative) that your state-issued license is valid. It must be hard for a cop in Portugal or anywhere else to recognize a valid license from every one of the 56 states and territories of the US. When I present my DL from my friend the Nigerian prince, I'm guessing the police might care, even if its in Latin alphabet.

I think people are suspicious of dealing with a non-governmental third party (AAA) - thats its some kind of money-making gimmick. I understood that if you dont have one, the rental agency can decide their insurance (if you paid for it) is not valid.

Does anyone know if foreign visitors to the US are required to have something like this?

Roberto, if you stick around here long enough, you'll see anyone can get fake licenses from any country pretty easily...

Indeed, from Fridays around closing time in Edmonds, through mid-Monday mornings, not just drivers licenses but university diplomas and even passports from all around the world.

Makes the trip down to your local Auto Club seem charming and quaint by comparison.

Does anyone know if foreign visitors to the US are required to have something like this?

Florida.

Passed the law, never enforced it.