International drivers permit
 

If travelling to Ireland from the US do you need an international drivers premit

Are you planning on renting a car? If so, you should have one. If not, no need.

Not sure but I doubt it as the IDP is an official translation of your own license info into the local language from your language on your license - assume yours is in English already. Other than that the IDP means nothing. That's my understanding of it anyway.

Your regular license should be fine.

Anyway ask your rental agency about it.

I was asked for a IDP only in Greece and Costa Rica although I have rented a car in Europe many times, But they are not expensive, so why not be safe for $10 or $15 dollars. I got mine at AAA. I would think it would be helpful if you ever got pulled over by the police or got into an accident.

English to English does not require an IDP.

No.

They don't speak English neither in Ireland nor in the US.
;-)

As far as I know, Ireland does not fequire the IDP for US, Canadian, or EU citizens.

Ireland does not require the IDP if traveling from USA. You MUST bring your valid driver's license with you. You will be asked for it.

I would think it would be helpful if you ever got pulled over by the police or got into an accident.>

Why? It is just a translation of your license into English - means nothing more -your state license is what counts. A waste of time and money.

Recent changes in wording for the requirements in Ireland would mean that technically you do need your US License "And" an IDP. but that wording has been in place for around 12 months and no one has come onto any forum with the information that an IDP has been requested.

"Holders of driving licences from other countries
If you are not from any of the above countries, (for example, if you are from the United States), and you hold a national driving licence and an international driving permit from your own country, you may drive in Ireland for the duration of your temporary visit (up to 12 months)."

The above quote from http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...ng_permit.html

An IDP is merely a translation so, no . . . one should obviously not need one. BUT if the requirement is buried in the fine print of the rental contract you would be well advised to have one.

No one said it is logical/makes sense . . .

Am IDP is $20 + $11 for photos, maybe it was $10 in 1980.

I rented once in the U.K. from Enterprise and the reservation stated an IDP was required. That seemed wrong so I emailed and was told that yes it was required. So asking the agency may be unhelpful / give the wrong answer.

no one has come onto any forum with the information that an IDP has been requested.>

I drove around Europe for years and was never ever asked for the IDP even though at first I got one.

But if the company says it is required to rent then do it.

You are very good at making things look bad by stating them out of context Palen takes a certain type of skill. But then you like Rick Steves and other gobshites so factual statements as part of a constructive sentence might not be what you are used to.

However:~ Whenever renting a Car in ANY country read the Terms & Conditions of the company that is going to give you the Keys.

(The failure to do this or the lack of ability to do this when renting through agents is the biggest cause of complaints in respect to Irish car hire.)

This is what the US State Dept website says:

"You may use your existing U.S. driver’s license in Ireland for a temporary stay up to a maximum of one year. Some insurance and car rental companies may request an International Driving Permit as well. Contact the American Automobile Association for an International Driving Permit. You are required to apply for an Irish driving license if you become a resident of Ireland."

https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...y/ireland.html

Whatever anyone tells you, it comes down to you and the guy across the counter with the keys. If you feel lucky and there are dozens of agencies with cars, skip it. I prefer not to be surprised which means going through the hassle here beforehand. I don't recall ever being asked for one, but it could happen.

The US Dept of State isn't going to help you. If you have it IN WRITING from the company with the contract, then that should do.

The US State Dept advises Americans travelling abroad. Since it says that in Ireland <i>"Some insurance and car rental companies may request an International Driving Permit as well."</i>, then it would be wise to obtain one just in case. They aren't that expensive, and it takes only a few minutes at an AAA office.

I've rented once in UK and 3 times in France, not a huge number but in every case the reservation stated an IDP was required even though it's not by law in either country.

My experience is that car rental agencies automatically put that IDP required clause in every foreign reservation with zero research, zero thought, and hit or miss accuracy.

Embassy and State Dept type websites are similarly inaccurate. It's best to find the country's driving laws directly posted online and print them out to take with you.

For Roman alphabet language counties in the "traditional" Western European area, IDP is required by law and issues come up only in Italy, Spain and Austria.

I rented several times a car without any driving license. Up to the time the guy over the counter said no kept my key and took my money.
Now I pay more attention.
For what it is worth nobody ever asked my driving license in something like 1 million kms in Europe.
But I was checked three times in US and Canada for 20 000 miles.