Bob C has it right. Since US licenses DO conform, US citizen-drivers do not need the IDL. The IDL is worthless.

They do not conform. They are state issued not federally issued.- When the US Government starts giving out US Federal Driving Licenses, then they will conform, until then, a state license is not valid on its own.

Just for the record.<BR>You're talking about an International Driving Permit (IDP) NOT an International Driver's License (IDL)

Why would you not get one??? They are easy enough to get....to to your local AAA, they take a pic, and you get the thing!!!

Christina, you are so right. My husband was pulled over in Italy and he didn't have an IDL. The cops took all of our belongings, had sex with me, kidnapped our children, and locked my husband up. I haven't heard from him since. If only we had listened to you and got an IDL!

Christina,<BR> Please give it up...your own translation says "foreign state" ... nary a mention of Federal Schmederal! US licenses conform. IDLs are NOT REQUIRED in any EU or Schengen states or Switzerland (which might not be a member of either group). (Mention of Austria above is news to me.) I agree that there is nothing wrong with getting one just to be on safe side, but to say they are required is going too far. <BR><BR>Car rental companies operate by the standards and regulations of the localities in which they do business. Don't you think the Italian government would crack down on them for putting hordes of foreigners onto the roads without proper permits? This would then be widely publicised and we would all have IDLs and this argument would be moot.

Ok folks, got some more info. <BR><BR>According to 2 sources, (AAA and independenttraveler.com) there are only 2 entities authorized to issue IDPs in the US (AAA and American Automobile Touring Alliance). But there are tons of websites offering them for up to hundreds of $$. Interestingly enough,if you go to fodors.com home page, click on resources, and car rentals, you will get a link to one of these sites that charges more than AAA. Hmmmm....<BR><BR>Anyway, the independent travelers site seems to have reasonably coherent information, and they suggest that you contact the country you are traveling to for info. Makes a lot more sense than listening to the WIDE variety of opinions on here (including mine about Austria!). Once you have correct information, you decide for yourself if you want to take the chance.<BR>Because so many sources specifically said IDP was needed in Austria, and that is the only place we intend to drive, we'll be making the trip to AAA.<BR>Anne

Go to http://www.offshore-manual.com/InternationalDrivingPermit.html?#USIDP1<BR>and tell me why you can order one good for 5 years?

who knows what's right! One place says only AAA and the other place, but tons of sites offer them, at much higher prices. I'm not sure how you tell which ones are legit and which ones are scams. I'm comfortable with buying from AAA for $10, especially since everything I've read from (what is in my mind) a reliable source says to buy from them.

Most of these other companies are not so much scams as rip-offs! They function as "expeditors"--walk you through the forms etc and file them for you--and then the permits are actually issued by either AAA or Auto Club. It pays to shop around!!!

I find it interesting there is only one person on this board actually got pulled over in Italy without one. It seems there is a multitude of people who have driven in Italy without one.<BR><BR>Was everyone else lucky? Or has the question just turned into another "do you need one" argument?<BR><BR>

Hazarding a guess here:<BR>If I am a US citizen living in Germany, and have a valid German drivers license, there should be no need for any translations in EU countries.<BR>Valid assumption?<BR>Any guesses about non-EU european countries as a general guideline (Czech, Poland, etc)?

Yes, Tom, valid assumption, The requirement for a translation or IDL is only for US and Canadian citizens holding nothing other than their own countries' licenses.<BR><BR>"Driving License Regulations<BR>Italy recognises driving licenses and other traffic documents that are valid in other countries. U.S. and Canadian driving licenses are valid in Italy but the license must be accompanied by a translation. For motorists not in possession of an International Driving license, the ACI (Automobile Club Italiano) will issue a declaration upon presentation of a U.S. or a Canadian license. The declaration is obtainable at any ACI frontier or Provincial office for a small fee. Seat belts are compulsory in Italy."<BR><BR>from the Italian Government Tourist Board http://www.italiantourism.com/transp.html<BR>

Ws just looking over the US State Dept website and came upon a definitive answer from a governmental source:<BR>http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html#permits<BR>They specifically state that only AAA and AATA IDP are valid.<BR>Also, the page has lots of links to country specific rules and driving information. Worth a few minutes of your time.

Every time I traveled to France, I made sure to renew my IDL. Was I wasting time and money year after year?<BR>Please, confirm. Thank you!

Last year I was asked for my driver’s license and IDL when crossing the border between Slovakia and Hungary. I really don't know what the fuss is. You spend hundreds of dollars for airline tickets and hundreds more for hotels, foot ect. Why take a chance for a lousy ten dollars. Seems kind of stupid to me.

Man some people are thick.<BR><BR>I should have said country issued not federal. Italy is a country, California is not. The state government issues DL in America whereas the Italian government issues DL in Italy. So where you read foreign state you could switch country. This is also the reason that an American has to take the written and driving test as well as taking classes to get an Italian license but someone from Russia can just have their license transferred.<BR><BR>The US driver's license does not conform.<BR><BR>The Italian state police say that you have to have an IDP.<BR><BR>These are two facts. If you don't want to get one then don't. Just don't lie and say that you do not need it and make the many gullible travelers here fall for your lies.

Another reason for having the extra driving permit - several times while sightseeing I wanted to use an audio set that has a self guided tour in English. In two cases, the person issuing the audio sets wanted a drivers licence left as security. I was happy to leave her my AAA issued IDP instead of my State of Florida Licence. Just another bit of security.

Well, the thing that annoys me about this is that AAA and AATA are private companies. If there was a government agency that issued the IDL, then I would say it's an official driver's license and I wouldn't object to paying $10 for it. And why would it only be good for a year? If all it is is a translation of the driver's license, why wouldn't it be valid as long as the driver's license is valid? Is the meaning of the words going to change? It just reeks of money grubbing and kickbacks.

Even if Italy does require an IDP,no where in the United Nations' Convention on International Road Traffic does it mention that they have to be renewed every year. They do say that they are valid for one year-meaning if you plan on being in Europe more than one year, then you need to get an Italian driver's license after that. Moreover,after 90 days a visitor also needs a Visa.<BR>I really think an IDP can be used over and over as long as it's not for more than one year. I think AAA enjoys selling it to you every time you go to Europe.<BR>Maybe,we should find out from Danny Mangrin at Foders -After all, they are the travel experts!