Patrick,
I was indeed stopped in Florence by the caberneri for making a wrong turn. City Center of Florence can be confusing and Faaassst....I was never asked for an IDP and luckily did not get a ticket as he could tell I was obviously confused and directed me exactly how I needed to go.
Also I have rented cars in several countries and not one car rental place even asked for one. If driving a car required one wouldn't the car rental companies, once seeing a foriegn drivers license, then request your IDP? I think they would only if it were required to have one in order to drive. Since they don't request it I am sure it is not required as I have read in several travel books they are not necessary but a few books indicate that while not legally required to have one that they can be helpful. I don't see how but they say so, so it must be true.....The IDP carries no more information on it than what appears on your own drivers license and passport, so, of what use could it possibly be?

Areala: In the face of others' experience to the contrary, you are steadfast in your misconception!

Rufus - can you point me to your source for that? I've been looking through what I think is the applicable UN treaty and can find no reference to a one-year expiration date, but maybe I have the wrong source. I'm really curious about this. Thanks.

Areala--Just because a particular policeindividual didn't ask you for an IDP does not mean that none of them ever do so.

Brian--no, this is not something that is a burning issue in my life, so I don't carry the documentation sources with me or even maintain them in a special, password-protected data base somewhere. However, I did find the information on the internet a couple of years ago when I was researching whether or not I should get and IDP for a trip we were planning.

Fortunately, our financial state is such that quibbling over $15 to get photos and and IDP is not an issue for us.

Well, you'll have to forgive me if I don't just take your word for it. Until I find the treaty, I'm still considering it a racket LOL.

I, for one, was mighty glad I had an IDP when the Slovak police specifically asked for it after the accident two years ago. They asked for it in English, but that was the only English they spoke. They had to call HQ for a cop who did speak English. It contributed to a favorable outcome. (Other driver was fined on the spot)

When researching Alamo for car rentals a few days ago, I did come across this information on their website under Driver's License Requirements:

International renters must present a valid readable un-expired license from their country of residence. If the country of residence is not in English, an un-expired International Drivers license must be presented in conjunction with their country of residence license.

I also found this information from the U.S. Department of State website (http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...es_1225.html):

Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license. However, most countries accept an international driver's permit. Before departure, you can obtain one at a local office of an automobile association. The U.S. Department of State has authorized two organizations to issue international driving permits to those who hold valid U.S. driver's licenses: AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance. To apply for an international driving permit, you must be at least age 18, and you will need to present two passport-size photographs and your valid U.S. license.

We always purchase a IDP when driving in foreign countries whose primary language is not English. Several countries, including Italy, now require one. We've never been asked for it when actually renting the vehicle (although we've also never rented through Alamo in Europe), but I think its always best to carry one in case something happens. At $10 plus the cost of photos, why not? Its a small price to pay for piece of mind. Most of us probably never have to use it, but that rare chance something does happen, I prefer to be prepared.

Tracy

"Since they don't request it I am sure it is not required as I have read in several travel books they are not necessary but a few books indicate that while not legally required to have one that they can be helpful."


Yes, such a good idea. Ignore the actual LAWS of a country and decide that if the travel guide doesn't mention it then it must not be required. After all a travel guide is a much better source of information that the published laws of a country!


"I don't see how but they say so, so it must be true....."

Now THERE's a really good thought to live by!

Try this it might explain ithttp://www.aamva.org/Documents/drvForeignReciprocityResourceGuide.pdf

I'm swayed - 2nd thought i may get one next time - i've driven extensively in France, Belgium, Holland, UK, Germany and though have encountered police checks on several occasions in these countries - not unusual - alcohol checks and checks to see if cars are legally registered and they always just glanced at my US driving license - never mentioned IDP. But for $10 and with AAA offices everywhere why not get it? I don't think it's a scam - like someone said $10 can't make much on that. You can get IDPs in Europe at the equivalent of AAAs there - AA in UK, etc. - at least you could several years ago just by presenting your US license.

Bravo xxx30!

RufusTfirefly and Patrick,
I definitely do not mean to imply to ignore the laws of any country. One would think though that while researching for a trip and when reading on the subject of renting a car or driving in a foreign country the travel books or sources would indicate imperatively that an IDP was required. By the mere fact that not all do and some that do simply state that while not required it may be a good idea, leading me to believe it is not a positive necessary requirement.

I now stand corrected as I have now been doing some research and find that it definitely is a requirement. Unfortunately not all countries adhere to this but just in case you are in a country that does you better have one.

I for one will now carry one with me everytime I go to another country. I was under a false impression and I thank this board for pointing that out to me.

So, in closing: 1)it's not a racket 2) it's cheap 3)it's a good idea.
Unless: you think insurance is a racket, expensive, and always a bad idea.

Patrick,

my statement about how "they say so, so it must be true"...was one of sarcasm. My husband is always telling me that if it's printed in the St Pete Times it must be true...thereby indicating that they can't print it unless it's true....so I was only being facitious. Sorry you didn't catch that...

Maybe Mr. Bolton can help us get this one-year expiration thing fixed. LOL.

In Spain it's required, if you wear eyeglasses, to have a spare pair with you in the car - apparently people can and are fined at checks. Would a Spanish cop really fine a tourist who no doubt didn't know about the law - ditto for IDP i think. Still i'm not saying not to get it - it's $10 - about two cups of coffee once you get to Europe.

Tomboy.

Please don't start that one. Insurance always irritates people. Yes, it's a racket
Yes, it's expensive
No, it is definitly not a bad idea.
And I'm not just saying that because I'm and insurance agent....LOL

That's funny PalQ....your right about the coffee prices...LOL

Brian--do you really think $10 IDPs would be a huge profit maker for AAA?

Let' see. Five hundred thousand IDPs a year at $10. That's $ 5 million. Add about 250,000 of those who also had them take the pictures at $10 more -- that makes $ 7.5 million. Yea, not bad.