International Driver's Permit??

The real reason to have one is so that if you get pulled over by local police it is a valid drivers ID for them. Passport is not enuf as it does not say you have a license to drive.

In Greece, the rental car companies won't give you a car without it.

Bob, in Italy, it's the law for US citizens to have an IDP and their US drivers license if they are driving an automobile. Read this International Driving Permit post for clarification. I have rented cars in Italy perhaps 30 times - I've been asked to show my IDP maybe 5 or 6 times; primarily at the larger vendors like Hertz and Avis. (Depends on who is behind the counter). More importantly, I drove a motorino in Italy for 3+ years and was stopped at rolling roadblocks or security checks multiple times. As an American driver in Rome, I was asked to display my IDP, along with the the bike's paperwork (proof of insurance, ownership, etc). These random security checks net many "paperwork" offenders. The fines are severe if you are discovered NOT to have a valid Italian license or an IDP to supplement your non-Italian (or non-EU) license. In smaller towns they tend to ignore the IDP rules, but certainly in Rome - not the case. If you have an accident and have to deal with the local police, there are "postings" that not having an IDP negates your rental agency insurance coverage. I've never had this happen to me but if it is true, that would be reason enough to spend the $15. You spend a couple of thousand flying over here - why not spend the $15 to protect your vacation? Simply put, it's the law in Italy - as outlined by the US State Dept and the Italian government. You have to ask yourself, "Would you knowingly drive at home without the proper legally required documentation?"

Ron's article describes random traffic stops in Rome. I've encountered them throughout Italy. Each time, my passport seemed to suffice, but I've seen reports that Italy may be enforcing the IDP requirement more strictly. Plus, as people here point out, they're required. One benefit is that they relieve the police officer of the headscratching required to make sense of your English-language drivers license.

I have rented many times in Europe and knew about the license but never got one nor have I ever been asked. I must have been told by someone it was not necessary, but I am going in a few months and will rent so I will go to AAA and get the license. Not being able to get my car could present some problems.

Even though it's only $15 (and I always get one), the IDP is a bit of a ripoff because it's only good for one year, even though your underlying "real" drivers license - which the IDP is supposed to reflect - might have an expiration date that's much further out. My experience renting cars in Europe - including Italy and Greece - is that I offer the IDP every time, but the rental clerk is NEVER interested. They always and every time want my regular drivers license. I'm sure that's because my regular license contains way more identifying information than does the IDP. Nevertheless, I always have an IDP just in case.

The IDP is really just a translation of your current driver's license. I've never been asked for one when renting but others have said they have been asked. I've never been pulled over or in an accident but I always carry one when it's required. It's not expensive or hard to get.

The one time I rented a car in Italy, we did show our IDPs, but I cannot recall if we were asked to or whether we simply presented them without prompting. I like to think of the IDP like the oxygen masks on the flight to Italy. Hopefully I won't need it or need to think about it during the entire trip, but I'm glad it's there in case I do.

Yes, they are usually not asked for unless you have an "incidente" or... you run into one of these!

I took my IDP to Spain last year and will be taking a new one to Britain in May. For the low cost, who needs the hassle of meeting the one police officer or rental agent who asks to see yours and you don't have one.....then what? Like an umbrella or rain jacket - if you have one with you than hopefully you won't need it!

I agree. Taking it to Britain is especially important. Darndest language barrier I've ever seen..

Bob, I have never known one to be required (or even suggested) in Britain or Ireland since they speak English there, but if it makes you feel better to have it, go ahead.

Actually, the one time I did get one was for a trip to the England, Ireland and Scotland. Wasn't quite clear on the concept then. But, by god Rick Steves said I should get one! Oh, and for the aforementioned reasons, I will get one the next time I travel to a non English-speaking country, required or not.

First of all, IT IS THE LAW IN ITALY. At Malpensa Airport in Milan Renault would not turn over my fully paid non-refundable lease car until both my wife and I produced our IDPs. I have not been stopped in Italy but I met a lady who was stopped without an IDP and she said it got very ugly very fast and had she not come up with a substantial amount of cash to pay the fines they were going to put her in jail and impound her car in the middle of rural Tuscany. Oddly enough I met her at AAA when I was getting my IDP as was she also getting one in preparation for her next trip. Secondly, in places in places like Germany and Austria drivers involved in traffic accidents tend to get really pissed. If you think your German is good enough to explain a Minnesota drivers license to a thoroughly PO'd German driver and/or traffic cop, by all means be my guest. Lastly, stop being such a cheap skate. I am one of many who are sick and tired of hearing people who are planning on spending all the money involved in going to Europe and renting a car whining about whether or not to pay a couple of bucks to get an IDP. It's like health insurance, you pay for it and pray you will never need it.

In certain countries they are legally required. If you get into some incident or traffic stop and don't have one, good luck. In Greece the main rental companies won't even rent a car to you unless you have one. Even in countries where not required, they can be helpful as proof of your valid state license. The USA has 50+ different license issuers, so you can't expect foreign authorities and rental agents to be familiar with the validity and differences of all of them. I almost didn't get a rental in England because they weren't convinced my license was valid. IDP is not some scam generated by the AAA, they are simply the authorized issuer in the US for foreign legal requirements.

I rented a car in Austria, and while I had an IDP with me, and had it out, the clerk who took my booking showed about as much interested in it as he was in the size of my feet( and I saw no evidence to suggest that he was interested in that...lol ).
Sooo, while I didn't need it, for the sake of the cost, and the POSSIBILITY that you might need it, I'd say better safe than sorry...

Ron & Irv, I wish there was a thumbs up button for your posts. Italy, in particular, is a pain if you don't have one when required to show it.

Another reason I got an IDP the last 2 times I rented in Europe was because in Illinois to renew my license you can renew on-line and place a sticker on the back, which if you look at the front it looks like it is expired. Avoids alot of questions and potential problems if you have it.

We always get an IDP. I've been stopped at random checks in Italy, probably about 3 times. No problem because I had all of the things they neededrental agreement, passport, IDP, AND I was asked for my US drivers license. I had everything handy, except the IDP which I had in a bag in the truck. It was strongly suggested that I have it on my person when driving. They also asked for our itenary where we had been and where we were going. It's cheap piece of mind to get an IDP.