Do car rental companies require an international driver's license in Greece and on the islands? We are leaving Sept. 3, so a quick response would be great. Thank you.

It is not an international drivers license. It is an international driving permit and is only valid with your regular drivers license.

Ask your auto rental company if it is required. I always get one just as an additional form of ID. Get it from the AAA, not one of those rip-off outfits on the WWW.

I think it would be a good idea especially in Greece. Apparently you can be fined if you're driving without one. It's only $15 at AAA, just go to the local office.

I just researched this for my sister for other places, so found a list. no, it isn't required in Greece.

oh sorry my info was for those with a UK license, what country do you have? I read somewhere else that it was required in Greece for Americans

HI L,

Greece requires an IDP.

If you're an American and you get into an accident and don't have an IDP you're liable for all damages and your insurance will be invalidated. Get one at your local AAA office. They cost around $20 and photos are included in that price.

Car rental companies usually couldn't care less whether or not you have an IDP. It's the police in countries that do require an IDP who might care if you are stopped or have an accident. Austria and Italy require and IDP, not sure about Greece.

I did a quick check at the Washington DC Greek Embassy website: They do require an IDP. Note that an IDP is a translation of your regular driving license, and you MUST carry both the IDP and your regular driving license when driving in a country that requires an IDP.

Technically it is called an International Driving Permit, but some jurisdictions do refer to it as an International Driving License.

Here is an advisory from the State Department regarding driving in Grece at this time.
http://tinyurl.com/27gcct

Strangely, IDP has no Greek page, only English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Italian, German, Arabic, Japanese and French.

Piling on, here is more from the State Dept. http://tinyurl.com/2ofnd7

The information about pedestrians is particularly applicable to Athens. The drivers are out to get anything that moves. In the countryside it is fairly sane with good roads.

Alec, it provides proof that you hold a relevant licence in a standard format, so it doesn't have to be in all the scripts used throughout the world

I know, but I wonder how much an average traffic policeman in Greece is awatr of that?

You can be sure that the Greek police have seen the American IDP before lots of times, and will know what it is. He'll just check the photo to be sure it's you. Chances are this situation will never even come up, but if it does.......be sure you have it!

When in doubt, go ahead and get one. They only cost $15 (plus loose passport photos) and take 20 minutes to obtain at your local AAA branch. The IDP is good for a year and must be used in conjunction with your own driver's license - they're invalid on their own.

I'm leaving for Greece on the 5th. I did some internet research and found that Greece DOES require an International Driving Permit. I Don't know for sure, but heard some rental car companies DO require an IDP. I got mine at the AAA office for $15 plus 2 passport size photos (I believe the photos were $10 each). They'll take the photo there at the AAA office. You will get your IDP with photos right then. No waiting for them to be mailed. Happy vacationing!