My friends and I are driving through Europe. France to Amsterdam to Germany to Austria to Italy and back to France. Is it imperative that we get international drivers permits?
Groovy

Not Imperative, however it is a good idea as it contains translations of your DL.

Check individual country requirements. Poland requires you to use a USA state license plus an International one. Go to AAA at Heathrow, Fl. Allow plenty of time. Another requirement is insurance, the so-called Green Card. You should be able to buy this at border crossings. Check with your car rental source.

The IDL is not a legal document, it's basically just a translation of your real license. Italy is one of the few countries that require it.

And it's not an international drivers license, it's called an international driving permit (IDP). And as Anonymous stated, it is a translation of your regular driving license--you have to have your regular license as well as the IDP.

Only 2 organizations in the USA have been approved by the US Department of State to issue the valid, United Nations approved IDP: the American Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

Thanks everyone for your information.
Groovy