yellow is wrong scot, yellow. That it is hosted on the loc website makes it even worse. Shiver! Morons...

I'm completely on point with you Kerouac. I've gotten into a few heated exchanges on Fodors whenever I poo-pooed the validity of the IDP. Take a look inside the stupid thing - it tells you nothing! Even the Greek Barney Fife can figure out the driver's name and address from a standard US state license. AAA is trying to suck every penny they can out of their membership. They're just trying to survive I guess.

I was a member for 30+ years but now that all the new cars come with free Roadside Assistance and with the advent of cell phones, there really is little need for AAA anymore. They served their purpose back in the day (I booked my first European trip with them back in 1973), but I simply have no need for their services any longer.

As I said... people sure get heated over how I choose to spend 20 bucks! LOL

What AAA websites say is 'these countries honor the IDP', not 'these countries <B>require</b> the IDP'.

I know this thread is about Germany, but here is a statement from the French Embassy in Washington (regarding driving in France, of course):
"You may drive with a valid U.S. driver’s license. In addition to that, it is recommended (not required) to carry an International Driving Permit or attach a French translation to your US driver’s license. Also, you are to be at least 18 years old to drive in France."
http://ambafrance-us.org/spip.php?article376

Maybe you can find a similar site for the German embassy..

That's a great idea about bringing a personal defibrillator. Especially because the voltage is different in Europe. Using one of theirs could make a bad situation worse.

AAA is not getting rich with what they are charging for an IDP. Not to mention that it's a non-profit organization. AAA does not require anyone to get an IDP. AAA did not invent the IDP; neither did the US government.

It's up to individual countries to decide if they want to require an IDP.

Germany does not. France does not. Austria does. Italy does.

A rental car agency in countries that require an IDP might or might not ask to see yours--they're more interested in your credit card.

If you're stopped by a cop in a country that requires an IDP, he or she might not ask you for your IDP, especially if he understands English--but then again he might.

Basically, in this day and age, somebody with zero knowledge of English would not pass the police exam in just about any country in Europe. A lot of this advice about the IDP dates from about 30 years ago.

That's about par for most guidebooks, as well as vestimentary advice.