Sher

Can anyone tell me why this permit is only good for one year?
I am wondering this as I prepare to purchase my third in the last five years.

I would rather be safe than sorry but it would be nice if the date would be valid during the time that my official license is valid.
Thanks.

nytraveler

Because the people that sell it make it valid for only one year. This is not a government document, it's just a translation or your actual license.

Beside the cost is so cheap - compared to that of a real license - that the cost as part of your vacation is minute.

PalenQ

Curous as to where you have ever had to show your IDP? I've driven all over Europe without one and never had any problems just showing my regular state license.

Dianedancer

We had to show the IDP almost on the road almost as soon as we left the airport in Venice. For that reason, we were glad we had gotten one.

PalenQ

Has anyone been stopped from driving because they did not have the IDP?

ribeirasacra

<<<<I've driven all over Europe without one and never had any problems just showing my regular state license.>>>>

Note:::: They are not required in every European country.

bvlenci

I think you'd just get a fine if you didn't have it. It's not really a license, just an official translation of your license. You have to carry both.

When I moved to Italy, it took me about 14 months to get my Italian driver's license. I had an IDP which expired about two months before my scheduled road test. I ask our local marshall of the carabinieri if I could drive with my valid US license and an expired IDP, because after all the translation was still the same. He said that by law I couldn't. Since I was planning to apply for Italian citizenship, I didn't want to risk a blot on my escutcheon, so I just didn't drive for two months.

During the time I was driving with the IDP, I was asked to show it at least once that I remember. I've heard of people who were unable to pick up rental cars because they didn't have one.

isabel

I agree, I think it's a rip off to need a new one every year when your actual license is still good. One time the person filling it out at AAA made a mistake on the date and just 'fixed' it. Looked like I had changed the date myself - leading me to wonder if that wouldn't work. If you got stopped they'd want the 'translation' of the IDP but it would be the real license they would be checking for validity.

maitaitom

"Curous as to where you have ever had to show your IDP? "

Slovenia

Sher

I have lost track of how many I have bought. But I do get them.

No, I have never had to show it although I know a friend that did.

I just do not think the cost is so great. It just is a little bit of trouble since any AAA office, where I usually get one is 25 miles away.

Christina

It should be good for the same time period as the license it attends, but as someone said, they do it because they can (AAA).

Sher, you don't have to go get it in person, you can get one through the mail. Lots of people wouldn't even be close to a AAA office at all.

Sher

Christina.
I never thought of that.
Thanks. I will do it.

zoecat

The last time I got an IDP the clerk didn't write an expiration year, so I was able to use it for many years. I'll need a new one now that I have a new DL, but I am going to ask if they can skip putting the expiration year on the IDP. Can't hurt to ask, right?

Sher

Zoecat. Not a bit but if it a moneymaker as nytraveler says, I don't it will work. But one can always hope