I have been strongly advised by our car rental agency, Auto Europe, to purchase an IDL prior to our upcoming trip to Spain. I have driven in Europe probably 15 times, 5 of which I purchased an IDL just to be on "the safe side." Have been stopped several times at "safety roadblocks" but don't think even then it was a problem. My question is simple, has anyone out there, for any reason, every had to produce an IDL? They are not very expensive and can be obtained without much inconvenience but I have always just wondered.

Many thanks,

Richard

It's not a license; it's a permit. You must have your valid license with you plus the IDP. Yes, I have needed to produce my IDP. Some countries require it and some don't. Why drive illegally.

http://madrid.usembassy.gov/citizen-...faq-spain.html

Q: Can I drive with my U.S. driver’s license in Spain?

A: U.S. citizens visiting Spain who want to drive in Spain must obtain an international driving permit prior to their arrival in Spain. An international driving permit (IDP) translates your state-issued driver’s license into 10 languages so you can show it to officials in foreign countries to help them interpret your driver’s license. The IDP is not valid by itself and must be carried with your driver’s license. More information on driving overseas.

My question is simple, has anyone out there, for any reason, every had to produce an IDL? <<

Nope,
Always get one, never asked for it.

Yes, we have been asked for it a coupe of times when renting the car Spain and Italy). Not sure if we would have gotten the car if we didn't have it.

Have been very lucky and never stopped by police (except at border crossings when they had them -and we had to show passports and car insurance) but had we been stopped I would have been uncomfortable not having something they did ask for.

In Spain you by law I understand also must carry a spare pair of spectacles if you are required on your license to wear glasses when driving.

Yes, asked for it first thing at Hertz in Italy (required by law in Italy, but many rental companies don't ask).

You can be fined: https://community.ricksteves.com/tra...-pay-250-euros

We have never been asked for the IDP at a car rental agency but the Spanish police can get nasty if you are stopped and cannot produce one.

<My question is simple, has anyone out there, for any reason, every had to produce an IDL?

Nope,
Always get one, never asked for it.>

Ditto - we're off to the AAA this morning...have driven in Spain/Italy/France often and have never heard of anyone being asked.

You are probably much less likely to be asked for one if you never are stopped by the police for any traffic infraction, of course. So asking if anyone had to produce one if they've never been stopped for speeding or breaking the law, may not be the best measure. Safety roadblocks are not personal.

I am pretty sure Spain is a country where you are technically required to have one, that isn't true in all countries (if you are not a citizen of an EU country). This is the official govt website, you can read it yourself and decide what you want to do
https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/tramites-...internacional/

It has never been called an IDL or license.

I don't know if you've ever looked at an actual IDP, but it does not actually translate your state-issued driver's license. It's simply a standard form that includes your name, address and a passport size photo of you, and hasn't changed in appearance since it was first issued some 65 years ago.

I have been asked by the rental car agent (Europcar) if I had one, but have never been asked to produce it. When stopped by the Guardia Civil, the only thing they've ever asked for was to see my passport, driving a car with French plates in Spain, and that was before the EU.

It is a LEGAL requirement in Spain. Without it you driving illegally.

Yes! Got in an accident in France. French driver sideswiped two cars both driven by Americans. (He was more then a little tipsy!) My report was over in done in about 30 minutes. Other guy without an IDL was told to "wait" My impression was it was going to be a long wait as they wanted a translation of his DL and of course he needed the accident info for the rental car company.

Never go without one I fail to understand the resistance to spending the money but...

Forgot the rental car place in Italy was also rather adamant about having it. The agent next to me pointed at my IDL and told the guy he was waiting on, "without that no car" (Of course they were also fighting over insurance. No idea how it turned out, I got my car and left)

International Driver’s License vs. International Driving Permit

You may hear the term “international driver’s license” or “IDL” used; however, this is an incorrect reference to the international driving permit.

All this "I've never needed one" talk is immaterial. There are countries where it is law. Be a scoff-law if you like but see what happens if you get into an accident in Greece and don't have an IDP... you can be on the hook for the full cost of the car.

I've been driving for 44 years accident free. You think I'm going to cancel my car insurance just because "I've never needed it"?

Blah, blah, blah.

"My question is simple, has anyone out there, for any reason, every had to produce an IDL?"

Your question is indeed simple and there is a simple answer. That answer is YES. All the rest is just people making noise.

I fail to see why people feel it necessary to add anecdotal comments etc.

For a laugh, read about the tempest in a teapot this caused when the state of Florida passed a law that would require Canadians to have an IDP.
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=...ida+idp+canada