>>No rental car company in Europe has ever asked us for an IDP. It is the police who will ask for the IDP if you are stopped or have an accident.<<

However SOME rental locations do ask.

I've been asked.

See the link in #18. The Embassy of France in Washington DC says: "You may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license if it is accompanied by a notarized translation in French." But of course tom_mn knows better. ;-)

Actually, I do know better. If you look up the French law you will see it says "official." The French embassy website is wrong (and reinforces that this is not a consequential issue in France!).

Britons may need an IDP (in fact a couple) if there is a no deal Brexit, so I don't see why US drivers don't need one too for France, and other countries not normally mentioned.. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/internat...-28-march-2019

Here ya go, it's under the Court séjour tab.

" Si vous venez en France pour un court séjour (pour des vacances par exemple), vous pouvez conduire avec votre permis. Il doit être valide et être rédigé en français ou accompagné d'une traduction officielle en français ou d'un permis international." emphasis mine

https://www.service-public.fr/partic...osdroits/F1459

>>Actually, I do know better. If you look up the French law you will see it says "official."<<

But tom_mm . . . how do you propose one acquire an 'official' translation. The only feasible way to do that in the States is via a notarized one.

. . . so AAA is the only practical option.

Yes IFP is a no-brainer in countries that it is technically perhaps mandated - or a translation but again the AAA has the best deal - a monopoly it seems - don't trust internet scams but go to your local AAA. There have been folks who got in trouble for not having one reliably as reported several times on Fodor's. Simple - why all the discussion?

Because some folks like to think they are always right and know everything.

It's not "technically perhaps mandated," it's the law.

France maintains a list of "official translators," certified by the French courts. Only one of them can provide an "official translation." I don't believe if push came to shove, and it likely wouldn't, that a translation done in America, even a notarized one, would suffice. How do I know this? I live in France and have had to have dozens of documents translated by official translators and apostillé (you can look that up). It's expensive (the usual fee is 60 euros per page, even if that page has only a few words on it) and can take weeks for even a page or two.

Just go to AAA.

Yes but in France and Italy at least they IDPs legally required. Nuff said - no debate now - few years ago maybe not but now simple - IDP is required by law in those countries (or recognized translation of license which as janis says would cost a lot more and may not be universally recognized as an official translation).

Very simple - no debate - get IDP if countries you'll be in require it.

>>notarized translation doesn’t even make sense.<<

True -- but NO ONE said that a notarized translation makes 'sense!'!!

An IDP makes sense.

My understanding is the Italian rental agencies are asking because some of their insurance firms have made it clear they won't honour the insurance to drivers without one. In other words if you get into an accident

You risk
Fine for no insurance.

Being personally liable for all damage to third parties and to the car.

Went to AAA and got the IDPs so no worries.

Glad to hear it!