Heimdall

StuDudley, if you can’t get an IDP in time for your trip to France, you can still legally drive with your US license if accompanied by a notarised translation into French. I’ve no idea where you could obtain that where you live, and it would no doubt be more expensive than an IDP from AAA, but it is an option.
https://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article376

Here is the AAA website through which you can order an IDP:
https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

rialtogrl

Heimdall for the win! I hope the OP returns and sees your post.

Heimdall

Thanks, rialtogrl!

I remember your visit to London and our discussion of where to watch NFL football. On a related topic, I have been watching the UEFA Women’s EURO football (soccer) matches on BBC, and they are absolutely thrilling. Those ladies can run, and don’t roll around on the ground dramatically when knocked over as the men do. Having a daughter and a granddaughter I am happy that women’s football is getting the attention it deserves.

For those who don’t have access, the last quarter-final is tonight between France and Netherlands. England, Sweden and Germany have already qualified for the semis.

rialtogrl

I’m in London now and watched the quarter final here. Spain played a great game but.. they got out-coached.

i will watch the semi here, hopefully on the big screen in Canada Square..

totally off topic but it IS exciting. I think England can beat Sweden.

StuDudley

We will mail the stuff needed for the IDP to the AAA office. If that fails - we will mail another set to our friend.

The "notarized" US drivers license translation bothers me. It needs to be a certified notary. Several internet sites will do it for me - but I am suspicious.
https://rushtranslate.com/documents/...SAAEgJqZfD_BwE

I've read that the prefecture of where we are staying in France can do it. But we need the car on Sat & the office will be closed. I just hope the the notary does not have to be in France.

Stu Dudley

Heimdall

Stu, I don’t think the notary would have to be in France, otherwise no one would be able to get one in advance of their trip. I hope you can get your IDP back from the AAA office in time, or your friend can come through for you.

I recall a debate with someone on this forum a while back who insisted you don’t need an IDP for France, but I believe in seeking official sources, which is why I always include the URL of the source I got the info from.

Best wishes for a happy trip to France!

Kiddo

While we've never rented a car in Greece, we have in France and Italy a few times, most recently in France about a month ago. Despite having an IDL, we have never been asked to produce it.

Heimdall

Kiddo, where did you get your “IDL”?

StuDudley

""I recall a debate with someone on this forum a while back who insisted you don’t need an IDP for France, but I believe in seeking official sources, which is why I always include the URL of the source I got the info from.""

I remember the same debate about 5 years ago. The person mentioning that you don't need one in France might have been me. I changed my mind immediately, however. My wife said yesterday that one is not needed in France according to her search on Google. And if you search for "countries requiring an international drivers permit" you won't find France. Then I searched differently and asked "do USA visitors to France need a translated drivers license", you'll find that it says France needs a translated one - and it can either be a IDP or one translated by a notarized French translator.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

If a French cop pulls you over for a sobriety test and asks for a license and you give him your license from Japan, China, etc - he's probably not going to be happy. If he then asks for an IDP and you don't have one - then what? if you give him grief - then what?

Cheap insurance - except when they are "sold out" at all the AAA offices in an area with a 6 million population.

Stu Dudley

Heimdall

Wise advice, StuDudley! The IDP is for driving a vehicle, not renting one.

No, I don’t think the debate was with you, as it occurred more recently.

Incidentally, regarding IDP vs IDL and who is allowed to issue them, this bulletin from the Federal Trade Commission was released about 10 years ago. Sadly, the practice still continues.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news...-international

Kiddo

We got ours a few years ago in Canada at the CAA - our equivalent to US AAA.. Shortly before leaving for this trip my husband went to pack it and noticed it had expired! We didn't have time to obtain another and knowing we hadn't been asked for it in the past we crossed our fingers. Luckily it worked out for us.

Heimdall

Kiddo, good thing you brought it along anyway, as sometimes, I’ve heard, expired ones are still accepted, since they have all the info from your main driver’s license. Obviously it would be better to have a current IDP, but personally I don’t understand why they they are good for only one year.

VANAARLE

It is all good using expired documents or driving with no IDP because the car hire desk clerk says it will be ok. The issue is when a country requires them and you have an accident in that country, or are stopped to be fined for an infringement. It is then that there may be a problem.
Just keep safe everyone.

Heimdall

Agree 100%, VANAARLE!