Art

I just got an Intl drivers License yesterday and had a though. (very rare for me.) <BR>Since you have to have a valid license and the Intl is only used for translations purposes, why would you have to renew it every year and pay the $10.00? <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

Bob

Been to Europe over 25 times and rented cars most of those trips. No one has ever asked me for an International Driver's License or even mentioned one in conversation.

Steve

I have never been asked for an Intl Drivers Permit when renting cars in Europe either. However, I have heard that it can be very useful to have one if you are stopped by the police or involved in a car accident. So I guess the $10 is cheap insurance for the rare instance where you might need it. I also do not understand why it has to be renewed every year. It is a pain.

Tammy

I've been wondering the same thing. My IDL expired in June and I'm going to Spain in October. I'm not going to get it renewed. Personally, I think it is just a source of revenue for AAA, since my real DL only expired every 4 years.

Bob Brown

In Switzerland I have never been asked for anything other than my US driver's license. <BR>I heard that I needed an International License for Austria. Then I read the fine print. A driver does not need an International License if the language of the original license is in English, or German. <BR>So I got one of those international do funnies that I don't need!!! <BR>Here is the quote from the Avis site: <BR>"Must have held a valid drivers license from country of residence at least one year. An international driving permit is required for licenses not printed in English." <BR> <BR>I do not know how anyone can tell from my license how long I have been driving!! There is no date of original issue. I do not know if that is an Avis procedure or an Austrian requirement. <BR>

american

Hi, I know it is a real pain to renew the liscense every year (experience), but if you are coming to Italy, I strongly suggest you get it. <BR>The reason being is that you never know when you will be asked for it. <BR>In Italy the police can stop you anywhere and there are many blocks all over. <BR>If you happen to be the lucky one the randomly flag over, they will ask for it. <BR>I do admit, there have been times when the cop was not smart enough to know about it and ask to see it (I noticed this more in the south), however, more and more are learning and they are asking to see it. <BR>You can never be sure of what type of officer will stop you. <BR>Some are nice and just check to be sure you are who you are, while others are really nitpicky and will check every fine detail. <BR>

john

Save your $10 and buy a beer. In other words, you don't need the license or probably never will..... <BR> <BR>

Art

Thanks for all of your answers. I know that you don't need in most western European countries, but if you are asked for it, in Italy for example, and you show one from a prior year, would they accept that as long as your regular license is current? <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

StCirq

Art: Italy used to be among the small minority of European countries that required the IDL. As of two years ago, according to the embassy's website, they no longer require it, so you needn't fret about thatfrom a legal standpoint, anyway. What you might fret about is whether the Italian police are cognizant of this change. I don't know first-hand, as I've been in Italy only once in the past two years and wasn't stopped by police. The whole concept of the IDL was, as you've discerned, based on the issue of translation. I think you're pretty safe traveling with your American license and an old copy of your IDL. And if you have enough Italian to translate the important parts of your American license, well, so much the better.