Everyone's favorite argument, the IDP

You don't need it, unless you do.

The uncertainty is when it will be needed.

Most US states and Canadian provinces are exempt from the IDP in Germany because this clause isn’t true:

“domestic driving licences that do not conform to the provisions of Annex 6 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968”

Look for the single digit numbers on the license. California does not have a compliant license design, and the article’s author is from California.

You don't need it, unless you do.

The uncertainty is when it will be needed.

as so well put earlier.

Surely you don't want a whole many thousand of your currency vacation to go up in smoke because the guy behind the counter, for whatever reason, won't let you have the car.

Just because some States have modified their ID doesn't mean that for whatever reason you might not run into a difficulty with an official or worker. $20 cheap insurance, eh?

I haven't rented a car in Europe in nearly a decade (several times in France and Germany in the prior years), and IDP was a big topic of discussion then, too. However, I never got one, and fortunately never needed one, but I think anyone in 2022 planning to rent abroad would be foolish not to obtain an IDP. it seems like there is more enforcement of this today, however randomly it is applied, than pre pandemic. Why risk it?

When one considers the ease of obtaining an IDP (any AAA office can do it all), and the small cost of the IDP compared to the overall cost of the trip, I just don't understand the reluctance of some to get one. But then, I don't understand many of the almost defiant attitudes about rules and regulations anymore. When one is a guest in another country, is it really too much to ask that the host country's rules and regulations be followed?

When one is a guest in another country, is it really too much to ask that the host country's rules and regulations be followed?

And the IDP, in addition to eliminating the risk of not getting the rent car, will also be pretty handy if you get pulled over for a traffic violation by a cop who doesn't speak English well, or one who insists upon seeing your IDP...

Cops in the field have all kinds of discretion, it goes with their job. They can be happy and easy going, and they can be **** breakers. It's really their choice. If they want to hassle you over not having a IDP, they easily can. Just as they can laugh when you offer it and say, who needs that silly thing.

So it's up to you, to get or not to get. Seems easier to have it and not need it. This was also my rule in December when I went to France, I had every single bit and scrap of document that the French, the US and/or Delta hinted I might need. And sometimes I did need to show them, and sometimes not. But my old pal Murphy knew exactly what would happen if there was one little document I didn't have ...

I've never been asked for an IDP (I've rented cars in Spain, France and Germany). I was curious to see if I should consider one. I looked up on AAA's website and they say you select a desired effective date, and the IDP is good for 6 months from that date. It also says it takes 4 to 6 weeks for them to get it back to you after you mail your application. I could see how keeping one up might be burdensome for someone who might need to travel to Europe on short notice, say for business, especially if that happens several times a year. I've been in that situation a few times for projects I was working on. But like I said, I've never been asked for an IDP.

are you sure 6 months, Mark? It has always been one year in the USA.

on the Texas AAA site it says, "IDPs are valid for 1 year and aren't renewable"

Texas is the largest state with the single digit numbers required by German law already printed on the licenses (the numbers greater than 9 are items not required by the Vienna Convention). In 2 months when I renew my license I will have them also. I will confidently eschew the IDP after that. I eschewed it previously but with fingers crossed.

Nigel, I am looking at this website:
https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idp.html
Which says:
"Must be used within six (6) months of desired effective date"
Am I interpreting that incorrectly? Or is this particular page wrong?

Nigel, I am looking at this website:
https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idp.html
Which says:
"Must be used within six (6) months of desired effective date"
Am I interpreting that incorrectly? Or is this particular page wrong?

On the Application form there is a effective date, which has to be no more than six months after the application date.

APPLICATION
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS:
 Eighteen Years or older
 Hold a Valid U.S.A. or Territorial Driver’s License
PERMIT RESTRICTIONS:
 Valid for One Year
 Valid only in conjunction with a current driver’s license
IMPORTANT NOTE: VALID U.S.A. OR TERRITORIAL LICENSE MUST BE CARRIED WITH THE PERMIT AT ALL TIMES
 Not valid for driving in the United States
 Must be effective within 6 months of application date
 Does not give driving privileges
REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attach 2 identical recent Passport Type Photos (2" X 2") signed on back
2. $20.00 Permit fee
3. If mailing application, a photocopy of BOTH SIDES of U.S. Driver’s License must accompany completed signed application, and
check or money order only (NO CASH by mail)
4. Optional: Additional postage in U.S. funds for expedited return mail (see usps.com for rates)
Please Print / Must Match License Exactly
First: Middle: Last:
Email: Phone:
Driver’s License Number: State of Issue: Expiration Date:
Birthplace City: State or Country: Birth Date (Mo Day Yr):
Home Address Street: City/State/Zip:
Foreign address if known or country/s visiting:
Departure Date from the U.S.A. _____ Permit Effective Date______ (Within 6mo of Application):

Here's a link to the agreement that is moving state and province licenses into conformance with ISO and EC standards:

https://www.aamva.org/getmedia/99ac7057-0f4d-4461-b0a2-3a5532e1b35c/AAMVA-2020-DLID-Card-Design-Standard.pdf

On the bottom of page 5 it refers to the "reference numbers" which are the key behind the non-lingual European licenses now in use, and what German law specifically asks for (ref my post above, "single digit numbers"). Then on pages 6-8 is the detailed table showing a cross-referencing between customary US an Canadian license fields and the ISO/EC standards.

It may be difficult for people to accept that some state and province driving licenses follow German law when others don't, but that's where we are now.