What a snarky little remark that is. What business is it of yours whether I post in the lounge or on the other forums? I READ the other forums and travel frequently. Actually, I don't recall seeing much of you, either.
Someone posted, I replied in good faith, haven't seen anything to make me think it wasn't a legitimate post, and if something was removed, well, I don't sit here 24/7 waiting to catch something being removed.
I agree with you about suspicious posts, advertising, malicious, etc., but since I obviously didn't see the link or whatever it was that has been removed, I don't think that makes me an ignorant poster or one not concerned with the safety or legitimacy of travel advice.
I know how to read a thread and sort through the BS. I also know how to be polite, something I'm thinking you need to work on.

Challiman - I've read that an int'l license isn't necessary, but it seems you found it was?

Thanks.

When we went to Spain in 2008 we were informed from several sources that an International Driver's License was required. The only reference I can put my hands on at this time is a Lonely Planet Spain book, and it states that if you are a non-European Union driver you are "supposed to obtain a 12 month International Driver's License..." I was asked for it at the car rental agency in Barcelona, but never had to show it again. I will try to find a link to this information. We were also told we must have an extra pair of eye glasses in the car, but the rental agency didn't check for that. And the rental agreement specifically excluded any travel to Andorra, due to the difficult roads.
It was our understanding at the time that the IDL was not an optional requirement. And I suppose if you don't have any accidents or tickets it might not even come up. When we went to France we didn't have the IDL and it was never asked for.
Laws change, but I will still check for a link.

Here's one link:

http://www.aaa-calif.com/travel/idp.aspx

I'm sure there are others out there.

An IDL is so cheap and easy to get why not just do it to be sure?

Some information which is not always apparent to a traveller. So some information here could be very misleading.
An International Drivers Permit is required.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...Driving_Permit
The office staff may or may not check this. But the Police or Guardia Civil may ask to see it if you are either stopped at a check point or involved in any sort of incident. For the sake of a few dollars it is advisable to obtain one even if you have never had it looked at in the past.
Spare glasses are required by Spanish law, the same for child support seats; warning triangles and high visibility jackets. If you are stopped and do not carry any of these you could be fined. This you will have to pay immediately as you do not live in Spain.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...tips/spain.pdf

bookmarking

ifnotnow_when, that's exactly my travel philosophy! In fact, it is my life philosophy!

About the "warning triangles and high visibility jackets" does the rental car company supply these routinely? I've driven in Spain and dont recall having these. Thanks

We weren't given any of these that I recall. Maybe they were in a hidden compartment but were not pointed out or even mentioned. Our car didn't have a trunk, so not sure where it could have been, but it would seem very odd to expect tourists to provide such things.

Yes, they do supply it, they are compulsory all over Europe.

can't go wrong with the usual, HERTZ and Europcar. it's only when i've tried to get cheaper with an unkown company things go wrong..

of course a simple google search and you'll come up with

http://www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire/spain.html

for Santander....
http://www.carrentals.co.uk/car-hire...ort-about.html

I'm reading the fine print and it seems that there is a $64 surcharge on auto rentals commencing from an airport in Spain. I can see no such fine print indicating there will be a charge on a car being returned to an airport when the pick up point was in a location other than and airport or railstation.

What do you think?

There shouldn't be a drop-off charge, only the pick up charge. If you want to avoid the higher charge at an airport like Madrid's Barajas, which can exceed one days rental, then arrange to pick up the car at a train station, Atocha or Nuevos Ministerios. There’s usually no additional charge if you where to pick up the car at a downtown location.

I've generally found the prevailing rate higher at train stations than at city offices.

Tandoorii......There is no fixed charge for all airport pickups. When picking up at airports some locations maybe more than others. You have to shop around.

Hi,

Does someone know how to interpret:

Full risk insurance without excess ?

Thank you.