megan13

Hi All - I will be driving in France & Italy and am curious if you need to have an international driver's license. Thanks.

vjpblovesitaly

Are you from USA. It is a translation of your license into several languages. You should get one.

StCirq

You don't need it for France. It's mandatory, by law, in Italy. Get one. It's not a license, it's an IDP - international driver's permit - a translation of your license into many languages.

zeppole

You need an International Driver's Permit in Italy if your driver's license is from one of the 50 United States. You get them from Triple A. Fifteen bucks.

It's not just a "should." It's a "must" in Italy. That's the law.

megan13

Thanks for the quick responses....I will go get mine today

happytrailstoyou

The only reason to have an international driver's license is that you will be greatly inconvenienced if a police offer asks to see it and you don't have it.

zeppole

Greatly indeed.

"If drivers travel with only a US driver’s license, travelers could be fined on the spot, (for example, €75 in Italy) and there have been isolated reports of tourists having their car impounded. As in the US, it seems to depend on the police officer making the stop."

http://www.tripso.com/today/beware-f...iving-permits/

abynrml2106

I got one today at AAA and paid with tax $23. Everything is going up!

LoveItaly

Hello megan and any others planning on driving in Italy. Be sure to take your US state driver's license with you also as yes the International Drivers Permit is just a translation of your US license. I mention this as I have known two families that thought they could leave their US State drivers license at home. Fortunatly I found out what their thinking was before they left for Italy.

zeppole

Good point!