International Driver's License

Miss B, the international driver's license is really more of a formality and a necessary evil. If you manage to need it, a police officer will want to see it because they're more used to seeing that document. Your husband will also need his Oregon DL because the international DL is only to help out law enforcement. Think of it basically as another nearly pointless form of bureaucracy that should be followed if you'd like a police officer to make your experience a little more enjoyable.

It is an International Drivers PERMIT, not an International Drivers LICENSE. Basically, it is a document that states, in multiple languages, that you have been licensed to drive by your home country/state. You will need to bring your Oregon Drivers License with you. Multiple anecdotes have previously
been provided on the Graffiti Wall about IDPs. Some people have reported that the police officer laughed when given the IDP, and that the officer said "No, your REAL license". Other people have reported that the officer, who spoke almost no English, was relieved to see the IDP. Personally, anything that makes an encounter with a police officer in another country go smoother is well worth a few bucks.

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I know we need the ODL for renting the car. I'm just not sure what the PERMIT is other than a booklet with statements in different languages about driving a vehicle for passengers. No big deal. I just thought it would show something off his ODL to reference. Hopefully we won't encounter the Polize for the week we will have the car on the back roads of Tuscany/Umbria. We will learn the "NO PARKING" here in Italian and park where we are sure NOT to get towed!! Thank you again. Just spouting!

While an IDP is recommended in various non-English-speaking countries, it is legally REQUIRED in Italy. If you're stopped by the police for any reason, you'll be glad you have one.

Miss B; Aside from the legal ramification, put yourself in the shoes of the officer. If you were an Oregon State Trooper and pulled over a car of non-english speaking people (Maybe they were in an accident as well) and they hand you some nondescript card or slip of paper, wouldn't it be good to know that it is a valid license as opposed to something from DL.Com? That is one of the purposes of the IDP, verification. Consider that of the 50 states in the US and the variations of licenses in the state (my daughters looks different from mine) and the various restrictions noted on the license, and the US being just one country...imagine the variety of licenses seen in Tuscany! A single, recognized document seems to be a wise idea. And Yes, you syill need to present that ODL.

Miss B - I started a thread on this topic a few weeks ago and then did more research on the subject. Even though I've driven in Italy without one, I found news articles saying that Italy (which requires carrying one) intends to toughen up enforcement. The penalty for not having one is 75 Euros, payable on the spot.

There are enough random police checkpoints in Italy that I would say you should expect to be stopped at some point, even if you don't commit a traffic violation. And if they choose to enforce the IDP requirement, you'll have it.

France does not require an IDP.

Thanks for all the info. I didn't mind buying the "permit". It was just that is was a book with no ODL information printed on the booklet. I'd rather be safe than sorry and that's why he purchased the IDP.
Now I'm being told to make sure we have "Zero" liability on our rental car. We do have CDW but guess there is a "degree" of liability. We don't want to pay anything if we have an accident. Be safe and cover our.... Thank you to all of you with the information. Only 11 days left before we leave for Italy. Yeah!