International Drivers Permit
 

Does one really need to get an International Drivers permit to drive in Spain. We will have a rental car for 3 days, Picking it up in Sevilla, and dropping it off in Granada.

If we do need one, do all 4 ( we are 4 adults who will all probably do some of the driving) of us need to get one, or can one get by with just one of us having one?

thanks
amy

I used to get them years ago, and now I don't bother. We have never had any trouble with just our plain old US ones renting cars for example. I was even stopped once in Paris because my mother-in-law failed to put on her new insurance sticker and just presented my CA license and said I was visiting and didn't have any problem. So I wouldn't bother unless somebody here tells you differently for Spain.

Amy, here is the website from our US State Dept. Scroll down to Road Safety and Road Conditions". You will see that yes drivers from the US are required under Spain's law to have an International Drivers Permit when driving in Spain. And that means an IDP for each and every person that will be driving of course. You obtain the IDP at an AAA office or I believe through their website. Drivers must also have the US drivers license with them also as the IDP just translate your US drivers license into something like 15 different languages, including Spanish of course.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1024.html

You are required by law to have the IDP when driving in Spain. Rental cars companies have nothing to do with it. You can take the chance and drive without one, but if you happen to get stopped by the police on the highway, the Guardia Civil, or a local traffic policeman in town, and are not fluent in Spanish, you may run into difficulties explaining things. The same situation does not exist in France.

Per our State Dept's website if a US visitor is driving in Spain without an IDP and if they are stopped by any law enforcement person they may have their rental car impounded and towed to the nearest impound lot.

jpie: "<i>We have never had any trouble with just our plain old US ones renting cars for example. I was even stopped once in Paris because my mother-in-law failed to put on her new insurance sticker and just presented my CA license and said I was visiting and didn't have any problem.</i>"

Well - for one -- IDPs are not required in France so your example is not surprising.

and 2 - and IDP is like insurance. You don't need it 99% of the time. The one time you do need it - you are in deep you-know-what if you don't.

So don't get an IDP for yourself - but it probably isn't a good idea to advise others.

amycyma: You <i>probably</i> won't ever need your IDPs -- but if you do and don't have one, you can get in serious trouble. Like for instance your car insurance would be voided since you'd be driving illegally. Your decision whether to gamble on it.

But every driver needs to have one IMO . . . .

Janisj-I specifically stated that I wasn't advising for Spain.

Hi amy,

Ditto Janis,

It can really spoil your day if you have a fender bender and learn that your insurance is void and your car is being towed to an impound lot.

Pay the man the $10.
http://www.aaasouth.com/home.asp

((I))

It is quick, cheap, and the law.

$15 at your AAA office. Why not?

Re: cost of the IDP
After 10 years of purchase (its only good for one year), I regret to differ--its $15 for the incredibly simple license with boilerplate and $10 or so for the photos which must be of a certain size and vintage.

I've read thru the thing several times and have yet to find much that is of any consequence--all the necessaries are on your US license-name, DOB, residence etc.-none of that is translated. Its a rip-off and I don't use that term lightly-a total scam. But I keep returning and paying AAA with the hope that once again, it never sees its necessity. Sigh!

$15 at the AAA where I live and you have to have 2 passport photos as well but they'll make those for you if you want.

we are getting one as I had read that it is now required to have it for driving in Spain. hubby's getting his this week, he'll be doing the driving.

oh yea, there's an extra fee for the pics of course :) $8 I think.

I agree with macanimals. While it is required in some countries, and I do get one when needed, I find it to be a totally useless booklet form a bygone era. Some people claim it would come in handy should the authorities need to translate your US DL. I think you'd need to be a total moron not to understand the relevant info on my DL. Name, address, DoB, DL # are all right there in plain sight.

I'm sure you already know this, but if you intend to switch out drivers you will probably have to pay additional insurance. For budgetting purposes it's a good thing to know how much it will cost when you book the car.

thanks

I will head out to AA office, and give them $20, for the permit and photos, and consider it having the effect of a good martini, I will not have to worry about all the things that could go wrong if I didn't get one..
thanks for all your advice..

amy

Silly or not, the OP asks if it is necessary. Really it is a good idea to follow the laws of countries one visits, IMHO.

Yes - you really need them. It would probably be helpful if stopped by the police for any reason (since many won;t speak /english) - esp since the law requires it.

Also, have you told the car rental agency that all 4 of you will be drivers? - the price may well be different than for a single driver.

My sister-in-law was driving in Spain on a highway along the coast at night and two men ran across the highway. She hit and killed one -- horrible, tragic experience, yes. Police told her it happened often around that spot, people coming into the country illegally there and trying to cross the highway. The IDP came in handy, as did her passport. Didn't help her own personal trauma any, but at least she didn't end up in jail on top of everything else for lack of an IDP.

Not that this would ever happen, mind you, but better safe than sorry.

My goodness, for the cost of one silly US American Airlines baggage fee (IMHO, a much greater rip-off) you can have piece of mind and be in compliance with the law. The fact that the IDP is an anachronistic rip-off, I would suggest, is both true but irrelevant. You could easily be in a situation where fifty previous US drivers have rented a car without showing their IDP and today you are the one who happens to be in front of an agent who decides this is his day to be the agent from Dante's Inferno, and you will be standing in the middle of nowhere with few options, but to spend 30 Euros on your first taxi. Lord knows I'll spend 3 hours on the net and walk 2 miles to save a farthing, but personally, blowing $25 on the IDP seemed to be a sound investment.

Amy posted she is going to obtain the IDP..and hopefully any others travelling with her that are going to drive in Spain will also.

Sufergirl, what a terrible experience that your sister-in-law encountered. And of course horrible for the pedestrian also. But thank goodness she had all the required documentation. But still, what a sad story that I am sure haunts her to this day.

We take our own photos and print them out at home. Minimal cost.

As docdan says, peace of mind at 15 bucks is pretty cheap. Don't be one of those people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

It might surprise you to learn a couple of other laws about driving in Spain as well: if you wear prescription glasses, you need to have an extra pair with you, and you must carry an emergency kit with you in the car with flares and other stuff (likely your rental will come with this, but it sure won't come with extra glasses).

I am in Spain now, car booked for pickup tomorrow. Just found out about IDP requirement.
Is there anything I can do? I am in Seville

The following info is from AAA:

ALREADY OVERSEAS?? If you are currently overseas you can mail your completed application to the following office and address:
AAA/IDP
1000 AAA Drive
Heathrow, FL 32746

Attn: Mail Stop #28

Please allow 4-6 weeks for return mail unless additional postage for express mail service is included with the application.

There is nothing to worry about unless you happened to be stopped by the Guaida Civil which handle the highway patrol duties in most of Spain (except for Navarra and the Basque Country where you seldom see the Guardia anymore).

If the rental car agent ask you if you have one, tell them it's in your luggage. They normally do not ask to see one.

Try calling the US Consulate in Seville because it may be possible to get a Spanish translation of your US license even if it is not an IDP.

If they can't help, then I'd try to rent the car and, if they will let you, just wing it.But be extra careful driving.

I've been stopped in Spain and shown my US license without a problem, but it's up to the officer.

With only a two hour window, it might be difficult getting an appointment at the Consulate in Seville.

Consular Section office hours
Monday-Friday: 11:00-13:00 by appointment only. Please call to schedule an appointment.

http://madrid.usembassy.gov/citizen-...s/seville.html

Rental companies usually don't care about and IDP, though I were asked for mine in Bilbao this year. Spanish law (and that of several other countries, such as Austria) does, however, require it.

So drive carefully--if you have an accident or get stopped for a traffic violation and the cops do decide to ask you for the IDP (they might not bother), they can whack you with additional fines. And in an accident situation, not having all of your required documents can void your rental car insurance whether through the rental company or your credit card company.