international drivers license?

An international driving permit isn't necessary for a tourist to drive in Germany. Your US drivers license will do. However, your expecting the authorities to be able to fully interpret an all English document. The international driving permit supplements your stateside license and basically provides a translation.

From my perspective, they're always good to have. You can get more details at:
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

Hi Susan,

It's not an international drivers license, it's an International Driving Permit. It's an interpretation of you U.S. drivers license. Yes, your U.S. license is ok, but if your stopped or in an accident, how in the world do you expect someone who may not read English to read your license? You will be in Germany, not the U.S. For the $15 to get an IDP, wouldn't you rather have peace of mind?

Paul

Good tip posted by Tom. Passport is 3 months from your return date.
I would never drive without the International Permit in Europe. AAA will tell you which countries demand it, but why take a chance. My husband does the driving, but I always get one too just in case I need it. Don't go by what anyone tells you, find out from the source. I had many tell me that I didn't need one in Greece. At that time it was needed. It could change from year to year.

And it isn't really the "name" and "date of birth" translation that is the catch here, it is the "translation" of the DL's class (i.e. what kind of vehicles can be legally driven).

Many cops will give you the benefit of the doubt if you just drive a bog-standard car, but an American couple I know had their motorcycles impounded here in Germany until they got the US embassy to certify that their DLs were in fact valid for motorcycles with an engine displacement over 50 cm^3...

Susan- Your US license is very important and is required as well. As stated, the IDP is a translation of your license that an officer who does not read English can still read your license. We have gotten one multiple times and only used it once. But believe me, when the Italian police officer asked to see it (he wanted both our US and the IDP) I was happy to give it to him. We left without a ticket...perhaps because we were able to produce the documentation he requested. Just keep in mind, you are required to have your US license as well.

Just a tip - the last time I went to an AAA office for an IDP (they're only good for a year), they told me that they couldn't issue one if my US drivers license was within 6 months of its expiration date. This was in Chicago; I'm not sure if the rule applies nationwide. But you might want to call your local AAA office to find out.

Thanks guys, that explains a lot!

The other thing it is good for is that every state has different ways of renewing their license. In my state, you just get a sticker to put on the back and it has little information on it. I almost wasn't able to rent a car in Britain because the rental agency wasn't convinced that my state license was valid. After 10 nervous minutes and some checking on their part, all was fine.

But the point is that the International Permit certifies that your state license is valid - it's not just an interpretation.