International Drivers Permit required for rentals?
May 15th, 2024, 06:58 PM
#41
In terms of the validity of insurance coverage, with or without an IDP, it seems to me that the rental agreement is the prime document. If the agency has you sign the contract, it means they have accepted your documents.
May 21st, 2024, 02:04 AM
#43
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After reading this entire thread, how could you possibly think the OP's response would have any utility?
'I've never had to show it to rent a car"
"I did have to show it once"
"It doesn't matter if you need to show it to rent a car but you're required to show it if you're stopped by the police."
"The police asked to see it"
"The police didn't ask to see it"
"If you have an accident, your insurance will be invalidated unless you have the IDP"
"It shouldn't invalidate your insurance if the rental agency allowed you to rent it without an IDP."
My granddaughter recently came to visit me in Italy. I had told her she could drive my car if she got an IDP. She was unable to get one because AAA had run out of the blank booklets. So she got one of those online ones that are not real IDPs. It was an obvious fake, which cost her $40 and which was missing crucial information, such as the need for corrective lenses. I regretfully told her she couldn't drive my car. When it's my own car and my own insurance, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I don't understand why anyone would decide otherwise.
'I've never had to show it to rent a car"
"I did have to show it once"
"It doesn't matter if you need to show it to rent a car but you're required to show it if you're stopped by the police."
"The police asked to see it"
"The police didn't ask to see it"
"If you have an accident, your insurance will be invalidated unless you have the IDP"
"It shouldn't invalidate your insurance if the rental agency allowed you to rent it without an IDP."
My granddaughter recently came to visit me in Italy. I had told her she could drive my car if she got an IDP. She was unable to get one because AAA had run out of the blank booklets. So she got one of those online ones that are not real IDPs. It was an obvious fake, which cost her $40 and which was missing crucial information, such as the need for corrective lenses. I regretfully told her she couldn't drive my car. When it's my own car and my own insurance, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I don't understand why anyone would decide otherwise.
May 21st, 2024, 12:17 PM
#45
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Well I returned and had a great time.
I rented my car successfully at Zurich airport without permit. I almost asked agent but decided that would be stupid since I didn’t have one. France and Switzerland weren’t on the Auto Europe list and that was good enough for me.
I was surprised I had no border encounters. After arriving in France I drove into Germany without being stopped. Just waved through. Then we drove back into France and there wasn’t a border station in Germany. We didn’t even realize we were in France for a while. Then drove into Switzerland after a few days.No station either just drove in.
I live in Northern Vermont and visit Montreal frequently. The Canadian and US borders are more of a hassle.
Also surprised I wasn’t given a declaration list or declare what I was bringing in when I returned to US. Nothing.
I may be just walking and driving past things like Mr Magoo, I don’t know.
I rented my car successfully at Zurich airport without permit. I almost asked agent but decided that would be stupid since I didn’t have one. France and Switzerland weren’t on the Auto Europe list and that was good enough for me.
I was surprised I had no border encounters. After arriving in France I drove into Germany without being stopped. Just waved through. Then we drove back into France and there wasn’t a border station in Germany. We didn’t even realize we were in France for a while. Then drove into Switzerland after a few days.No station either just drove in.
I live in Northern Vermont and visit Montreal frequently. The Canadian and US borders are more of a hassle.
Also surprised I wasn’t given a declaration list or declare what I was bringing in when I returned to US. Nothing.
I may be just walking and driving past things like Mr Magoo, I don’t know.
Last edited by celfan; May 21st, 2024 at 12:50 PM.
May 23rd, 2024, 11:46 AM
#47
**Your experience is not everyone's experience. Some rental offices in both France and Italy have asked to see our IDPs. I can't remember which companies but likely at least Avis and Hertz.**
Adding my data point. I've been asked to produce my IDP in Siena, Italy (Hertz) years ago (at least ten).
**If the agency has you sign the contract, it means they have accepted your documents.**
It means the agency has agreed to provide you with A,B,C and you have agreed to do XYZ (do/have w/e is listed in the contract). Most people don't read the contracts. That's why so many are surprised when they get charged (about 40 euro) by the rental company for providing their info to the police when a driving/parking violation occurs even though it's in the contract.
Adding my data point. I've been asked to produce my IDP in Siena, Italy (Hertz) years ago (at least ten).
**If the agency has you sign the contract, it means they have accepted your documents.**
It means the agency has agreed to provide you with A,B,C and you have agreed to do XYZ (do/have w/e is listed in the contract). Most people don't read the contracts. That's why so many are surprised when they get charged (about 40 euro) by the rental company for providing their info to the police when a driving/parking violation occurs even though it's in the contract.
May 24th, 2024, 12:30 PM
#49
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Yikes..no popcorn here but plenty of chocolate.
We've rented two cars in the past two weeks, in Spain.
As is the usual, no one asked to see the IDP.
The second car we rented, they did not even ask for a driver's license!! And this is from a well-known company.
Did not ask for passport, driver's license....anything other than credit card!!
If the IDs were simple to get, and did not cost an entire half a day, I would be ok with it.
BUT WHY DOES IT AHVE TO BE RENEWED EVERY YEAR?
Does this not seem like a money-maker for AAA in the USA?????
That is what annoys me the most....
I am going to try to find a police person this week and ask he or she directly. I'm ok since this year I actually got the IDP....
We've rented two cars in the past two weeks, in Spain.
As is the usual, no one asked to see the IDP.
The second car we rented, they did not even ask for a driver's license!! And this is from a well-known company.
Did not ask for passport, driver's license....anything other than credit card!!
If the IDs were simple to get, and did not cost an entire half a day, I would be ok with it.
BUT WHY DOES IT AHVE TO BE RENEWED EVERY YEAR?
Does this not seem like a money-maker for AAA in the USA?????
That is what annoys me the most....
I am going to try to find a police person this week and ask he or she directly. I'm ok since this year I actually got the IDP....
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