international drivers license
 

I will be traveling to Ireland in 2 weeks and have a car booked. Do I need an international drivers license? I am still worried about that driving on the wrong side of the road... I know what I have read though and will follow all your advice, think left!

Hi Lydia

While my rent car company didn't ask for it, I got one anyway, it's 10 bucks and in case you have trouble, it's worth it. Driving on the left is only a challenge when you come out of the airport in your rent car, be careful there and you'll get the hang of it.

You do not need an international drivers license for Ireland if you are from the US. Just your US drivers license.

I have not been yet but have been doing much checking into the rental car and driving in Ireland.

A few other things I have picked up on is:
-Get a good map at the first gas station or auto shop.

-Careful with the roundabouts.

-look left, wide right

-rearview mirror is up and to your LEFT, check the traffic behind you to pull over and let some by

-with oncoming traffic, they will not hit you, don't jerk left onto a rock filled ditch, just slow down and hold your ground...there is room

-parking and the parking discs

-Yellow line on pavement means no parking mon-sat during business hours, double yellow means no parking at all, broken yellow means short stop is okay.

Have a great trip and let us know how it went!

Since pretty much the sole purpose of an international driver's permit is to provide a translation of your English-language license, and since English is the the mother tongue in Ireland, the answer is clear - no.

Having been to Ireland many times, I can confirm that you DO NOT need to get an international drivers license. It is useful for countries where the language is not English since it is a translation of your original license into other languages. In Ireland they speak English, so it is not needed. Spend the extra $10 lunch or souvenirs.

If you Google "how to drive a car in ireland" you will find lots of helpful tips.