We will be renting a car in Sicily and someone just told us that we need to get an international drivers license. We did that on our first trip to Europe about 15 years ago, but never had to show it, and never got one on subsequent trips. Can anyone tell me if we indeed do need the thing!! Thanks in advance!

It is a legal requirement that you have one in Italy.

Rental car co probably won't ask. Some people report not being asked for one when stopped by the police and cite that as evidence that they in fact didn't need one.

but,

It is a legal requirement that you have one in Italy.

You can stop into an AAA office, or get one by mail if there is no AAA office nearby.

In Sept/Oct 2007 while renting a car in Florence they asked everyone in the office if they had an IDP. I don't know what would have happened if anybody didn't have one because everyone did. We had to show them and our regular license when renting. For 15-20 bucks I'll always get one. I was stopped once in 2001 just to check our license I guess. THey checked it and waved us on.

It is an International Drivers Permit (IDP) not a license. It is basically a translation of your driver's license info in several other languages. It is required in some countries in Europe to carry one (along with your driver's license) and Italy is one of those countries. I've rented cars several times in Italy and only once was I asked to show it at the rental desk. If you are stopped by the police for any reason and don't have one, you can be fined.

As J62 said, go to AAA to pick one up. You'll need a passport photo, which they can probably take care of also.

Hi T,

You won't need it until a policeman asks for it.

It's worth the $10.

I never really thought of getting one in France as we don't need one there but this makes me think I should get one for those daytrips into Italy even if not renting the car in Italy. Is that right Ira?

If you have an American licence then you need an IDP to drive in Italy - even if you come in from France.

If you have an EU licence then you don't need an IDP.

If you have a licence from somewhere else then you should check.

Pete, you answered my question. Yes I have an American license. Thank you.