Hey everyone--
We're going to Germany and Austria in a couple of weeks and keep hearing conflicting reports about whether or not we need international driver's licenses.
What's the verdict?? Do we need to get one for each of us or not? We'll be driving from Munich, Fussen, Hallstatt, Salzburg and back to Munich.
Any advise would be helpful. Thank you!!
First of all, it's an International Driver Permit, not a license. According to the Auto Europe site, an IDP is required in Austria but not in Germany.
Thanks a lot! I guess that's a "yes" if we will be driving in Austria. Our closest office is at least 50 miles away...just one more thing to get done before travel...c'est la vie! :)
German Federal Ministry of Transportation:
For international driving licences no translation is required.
You will need a translation to accompany your national driving licence if
- your national licence was not issued by a member state of the EU or a member of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or
- your licence is in a language other than German or
- your licence does not comply with the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968 (Annex 6). Contact the relevant authorities in the country of issue to find out whether this is the case.
So a US driver's license in Germany needs to be accompanied by an IDP or a translation.
I was just in Germany and Austria where I rented a car. I too was curious about the international driver's permit. I went to AAA and got a permit anyway, it was easy however I am not sure what it's purpose is when this country gets thousands of driving visitors a month that likely do not have permits. Anyway I now have one and it expires in one year. If you are going to have multiple drivers each one should have a permit. What you do have to consider is the expense of renting a car with multiple drivers and the associated insurance! Another suggestion, check your rental agreement & insurance when visiting / driving to other countries. Austria is not likely an issue but Eastern Europen countires are.
Sounds like you have a great trip in mind and you will love Bavaria & Austria.
For Austria you also need a window sticker to show you paid to drive on the autobahn. If you will never be on the autobahn, you don't need it.
Austria also requires an orange safety vest.
You can pick up the window sticker and vest at the truck stops at the border.
Any hire car should be provided with an orange safety vest if it is a legal requirement. We hired a car on Madeira last week, and it came with a safety vest.
I may be wrong, but I understand that the problem with Americans needing to have an IDP in some countries is because US driving licences are issued by the individual states and not by the national government. There are international agreements on the format of licences, but the US federal government cannot impose the requirements of this agreement on the individual states.
I am an E.U. citizen, so although my licence is written in English, it has the same format as any other European licence and so can be understood by the authorities in other countries.
