Do I need an international driver's license for Barcelona? Will my California Driver's License do? My friend told me he used his Calif license for Italy, but not sure about Barcelona.

An International Driver's License is needed for Italy. I believe that the same applies to Spain, but I have driven in both countries without it. As long as you do not get involved with the police, you're OK.

We just rented a car in Barcelona (from Hertz) and were not asked for an international driver's license.

In fact, we have rented cars multiple times in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland, and the UK, and have never had one.

After reading some of the posts here, I got paranoid, and had my husband go get one from AAA (about $20) prior to this trip, and then he forgot to bring it!

My impression is that the only time you might possibly need it is if you get stopped by the police for some reason, which (knock on wood) hasn't happened to us yet.

You do not need an international driver's license for Spain. I was there in February, and my Virginia license was fine.

Karen

Generally, the supposed "need" for an international license comes from the possibility that if you are stopped by the police, in an accident, etc., the information on that international document somehow makes it easier for the authorities to understand whatever it is they might need to know about you.

People here have repeatedly said they did not need one to rent a car.

Thanks everyone for the helpful information. In that case, I will just bring my California license.