Yes, Bob, that answer they gave is as meaningless as saying to a policeman, "what is my punishment if I kill someone?" and having them say, "in our state we don't allow killing, so it isn't an issue".

I know the first time I rented from Avis in Austria, I had read what the Avis web site said, which was to the effect that if the driver's home license was in English, the international document was not required.

So, when I rented the car, I duly showed my US license, signed the papers, and headed out.

Fortunately, neither I nor my wife have ever been been stopped in Europe by a law enforcement official for any reason.

Later, I learned that the international piece of driving paper is required in Austria. the next time I had one which stayed in my passport case the whole time. The rental company agent never asked to see it.

The international license always struck me as a waste of $10.00 but being risk averse I always get one where indicated.

It seems to me that auto rental companies should do more to protect their renting public in countries where the international license is legally required, e.g. tell us to bring one at the time we reserve the car!! Of course if we have already arrived in Europe it may be too late.

At any rate, it seems like the renter darned well better know in advance, or just go ahead and get one to be safe.

Anybody ever see a list of which nations require the international driver's permit and which ones do not? I never have.

bob_brown asks: Anybody ever see a list of which nations require the international driver's permit and which ones do not? I never have.

Here are a few pages Bob -

http://www.aa.co.nz/motoring/Section...;Story_id=1040
http://www.motorhomesworldwide.com/c...dp/index.shtml
http://www.ideamerge.com/leasing/idp_2.html

In Italy if one has not gotten an IDP before they arrive in Italy they can have their US drivers license translated by a translator in Italy which is all the IDP does..it translates your drivers license into something like 15 different languages including Italian. One would pay a lot more though than if they obtained the IDP through AAA in the US.

>To clarify, you don't need a sticker to cross the borders just for use of the roads.<

In Austria you must have a tax sticker to use major highways.

If you check the maps at www.viamichelin.com and www.viamappy.com you will see that it is well nigh impossible to drive into Austria without doing so.

Even little itty bitty roads suddenly become divided highways at the border.

That's where you are most likely to be stopped if you don't have a vignette.

((I))

Logos999 - I also always set the time as when I arrived. I always learn something here and I'm grateful for all that take the time to post. More details on the Austrian vignette. You can buy them for about 8 Euro for 10 days or you can get longer periods. They are only needed for the Autobahn or limited access highways. They are color coded for each year so even if your rental car has one, please check to see if its valid. We buy the 10 day ones. I believe now the fine is over $400 if you don't have one.

Re automotive travel talk: what about the required reflective safety vest in Austria?

The fine should be 400€ by now. And those Austian inspectors mean it. There's no way you can talk yourself out of it. ALL credit cards, AmEx included are accepted. :-(