NeoPatrick

"It could also cause problems with your insurance - both personal & car - as virtually all insurances require you to be "legal"."

This is such a good and major point. I'm waiting for the day when someone reports back that they didn't have one in Italy, had a bad accident, and the car rental and their own insurance refused to pay a penny because they "were driving illegally without an IDP". Could easily happen!

I love the comment that "we didn't need one to rent our car". I have no idea what that has to do with anything.

macinpv

We rented a car from Autop Europe with pick up at Piazzle Roma, Venice. When I offered to show him the IDP, the rental car guy said he did not need to see it but I needed it in case I got stopped by the Italian police. Fortunately, that did not happen.

celticmoon

On our trip to Italy in May we were told over and over it wasn't necessary to have an international driver's license..even a travel agent told us this, but I insisted, because wehad heard stories of tourists without one being asked to follow the police into the next little town whilst they check the validity of their country's license.
You can lose a half day that you won't get back timewise.
The cost for the photo and license is minimal, and is worth it in my opinion.

happytrailstoyou

I always take an International Driver's License even though on many past visits I have had no need for it.

scdreamer

Thanks for the info on driving in Spain!

Thankfully, I will not be driving anywhere near Barcelona. Renting from AE in Salamanca, returning the car to the Madrid airport.

Doubtful I will be on too many major highways, as the point of having the car is to be able to make day trips to some of the smaller towns (Ciudad Rodrigo, Medina del Campo, La Alberca, Zamora, Avila, etc.).

Not sure about insurance needs ... any information regarding that would be welcome.

slangevar

We found even the smaller roads in Spain to be well-marked and easy to drive. And some of their signs are really entertaining (great cartoon graphics)!

You shouldn't have a problem there... just bring a good map and look up street signs in Spain before you go.

Have a great time and eat some tapas for me!

TDudette

One other thing to do is educate yourself about Italy's road signs. Below is what I found for France (since that is where I am going)-no doubt you can find the same thing for Italy. Much may be the same.
If you are AAA member, it's less than $15 to get the IDP. Have a wonderful, safe trip!

http://www.alltravelfrance.com/Franc...Road_Signs.htm

Gina_07

Italy is the only country in Europe where they actually asked to see our international license at the rental agency and, if I remember correctly, photocopied it. Maybe some other agncy would not check it, but we don't know. GET it, definitely. It's not a big deal.