Croatia- International Driver's License Required?
 

We've seen conflicting information - is an int'l license required to drive in Croatia, or will a US license suffice? Advice welcomed.

It's my understanding that an IDP (a flimsy paper booklet you get from AAA for $15) is required for Croatia. It's not a license, but merely a document which is supposed to aid authorities to translate the info into various languages.

Whether or not all car renters are asked to show one when renting a car is irrelevant.

Personally I think the document is unnecessary anywhere given modern drivers licenses. Show me a police officer who can't figure out my name, DoB, and DL # regardless of where in the world they hail from. But, that's also irrelevant. It's the local law that one needs to follow.

It takes all of 10min to get one at your local AAA office - no membership required. Bring 2 passport sized photos, or they can take them there for you for an additional fee.

The IDP, International Driving Permit, is required in several countries. You will need your regular driver's license in order to rent a car or drive legally. The IDP only provides information should you get stopped by the police for some reason and don't speak Croatian.

We rented a car in Croatia for about 10 days a few years ago, and did not have an IDP. It was not required for the rental, but I don’t think we were ever stopped by the police. Roads and road signs were good (we did not have a GPS because we picked and dropped off the car in different towns – those were the rules then).

You’ll love Croatia, it is a beautiful country with nice people and good food.

We just returned from Croatia and rented a car from Ecomony car rental in Rovinj and returned it in Split. We just needed a valid US driver's licence. Same in Slovenia.

According to http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...y-country.html, you do.

This list is regularly checked, but aimed at a UK audience. So it understates the necessity for IDPs in Europe, since many countries accept EU standard format driving licences, but not other countries'

The fact that others have hired cars and not been asked to present an IDP is immaterial. If a country requires one, it's a legal, not a car hire company's requirement, and car hire staff aren't police officers. Not having one might still leave you uninsured, or breaking the law.

It's still possible, of course that the AA is wrong. The definitive answer should come from the Croatian tourism office in your country

Last year, we went to Croatia with an IDP and rented cars twice. We never were asked for it, and used the credit card/ US drivers license when renting the cars. That being said it is $15/$20 and is good to have, just in case.

Don't confuse renting a car with the laws regarding having an IDP.

The car rental agency will not pay your fine if push comes to shove and in places like Greece your insurance is void without an IDP... leaving you on on the hook.

Whether you like it or not, in some countries you need an IDP. Heck, I hate having to renew and pay 80 bucks for a new passport every 5 years but it's the rule so I do it. At least the IDP is only 20 bucks.

Re: <i>"This list</i> [The AA IDP Requirements By Country] <i>is regularly checked, but aimed at a UK audience. So it understates the necessity for IDPs in Europe, since many countries accept EU standard format driving licences, but not other countries. The fact that others have hired cars and not been asked to present an IDP is immaterial. If a country requires one, it's a legal, not a car hire company's requirement, and car hire staff aren't police officers. Not having one might still leave you uninsured, or breaking the law."</i>

The IDP is recognized in Croatia but not required. Croatia recognizes most driving licenses in their original form. Croatia is not party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, which contains the main regulation on IDPs.

Re: <i>"It's still possible, of course that the AA is wrong. The definitive answer should come from the Croatian tourism office in your country."</i>

Agreed. AA (UK) and AAA (USA) are private contractors or licensees in the business of selling IDPs, among other services they sell or provide. In view of this, it is perhaps understandable that they do not draw a fine point between countries which require an IDP and those which recognize an IDP.

"Same in Slovenia."

When we got pulled over in Slovenia, the first thing they asked me for was my International Drivers License. That made it well worth the 15 bucks. They let me go with a warning.

((H))

I have an old style UK driving license - still the old pink paper one. (I object to having to pay to upgrade it to a photocard license at this time in my life, because when I move house I can do that for free. But that is by the bye, and irrelevant in this case.)

However, when I drive in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina I am not required by law but I am advised to have an IDP. So the twice I have done this I have acquired an IDP.
Neither time have I been asked for it, not when actually collecting the rented car, nor at any border crossing - even the more remote ones.

My passport and the correct paperwork for the car seem to be all that is required. However, I would prefer not to risk not having the IDP, just in case of any accident or occurrence.

Actually, I'm sure AAA makes is not getting rich on IDPs at $15 a pop. It would barely pay the salaries of the employees who handle the IDPs.

From the Croatian Tourist Board: ". . . a driver’s licence, an automobile registration card and vehicle insurance documents are required. An international driving licence is required for the use of rent-a-car services. The permit is issued by the parent motor-club."

In the USA and some other countries, the "international driving license" is called the "international driving permit (IDP)." As others have pointed out, it is a translation of your license into several languages, and you still have to carry your regular license.

Just returned from Croatia and rented a car thru Economy Car Rental in Split. An IDP was not required. Your choice.

Rented a car in Italy and drove to Croatia. Rental car company did not ask for an IDP; however, we were stopped in Croatia and had to produce both an IDP and proof of insurance in Croatia. Note that if you rent a car outside of Croatia, you will need extra insurance to drive into Croatia.
Having said this, we were stopped for not having our driving lights on (apparently this is a 24 hour requirement in Croatia) and still had to pay a fine.
My impression is that the police are looking for reasons to issue a fine, which is payable on the spot.
Have a great trip.

Why is this such an issue? Spend the $15 and get the IDP!!!! It's a small price to pay and if you need it, you will be glad you have it.

Having been in an accident in a foreign country I can tell you it was worth the %15. Two Americans were hit by the idiot... one of us had and IDP, one didn't. The accident report for the one with the IDP took 10 minutes and I was told to go. The other American was still working on "translation" for his police officer!

Thanks everyone for your help, we'll be in Croatia in two hours and should get a "final" answer then!

That's great! We'll soon get the definitive answer whether the rental car company in Croatia requires an IDP! Maybe (but hopefully not) we'll later get the definitive answer whether one is required by the authorities.