We are renting a car in Nice. Am I required to get an International Driving Permit??

Hi C,

France does NOT require the IDP.

No. Only if you are going into Italy.

In France an IDP is recommended but not required by law. The rental car agency probably won't even ask if you have one. Still, if you get in an accident or are stopped by the police, you'll be glad you have one.

I have always had one..never had to use it, but for the nominal cost, it MIGHT save you a lot of problems!!

agree with Tim - IDP is not required, but good to have if involved in an accident. We rented from Avis at Nice airport, and they only ask for U.S. driver's license. Same at CDG when we rented through EuropCar. I would always recommend getting one, even if it isn't legally required.

I got one, but no one ever asked for it. In fact, when we rented a car in Germany, they never asked for ANY ID other than a credit card.

Still, for the nominal amount and little hassle (you can get one through AAA), it's probably worth getting.

Maybe it's just me but I think the IDP is a basically useless piece/booklet of paper.

I'm looking at mine right now (purchased for $15 from AAA prior to trip to Italy). All it says is that I have US license to drive a passenger vehicle in 37 different languages.

My US DL has all the relevant info:

DOB
expiration date
name
photo
address
license number

I can't for the life of me figure out what value the IDP adds. One must be a total idiot not to be able to read the info on my US DL, regardless of the language one speaks.

I can't figure out what problems an IDP would help solve as is often suggested here on Fodors.

Well since Italy requires an IDP then having one will keep you out of jail or from paying a fine. That should be the only reason you need.

Agree 100% about carrying one where required by local law.

It's other places like Germany & France I don't get.

J62: Reisender about summed it up. How much do you want to gamble?

It is required to have an IDP in Italy -- not to rent a car, but to legally drive it. So if involved in an accident or stopped by the Police - you'd better have one.

janis,
there is no dispute about having one in Italy.

This thread by codergrlli, however, is about renting in France. Several replies here suggest the value of having an IDP 'just in case' in France.

J62- that's the exact purpose of the IDP - to translate the driver's license information into different languages so it is easily understood.

Having it when involved in an accident has been discussed as making a BIG difference. I can't imagine why anyone would not spend $10 to possibly avoid a lot of problems!!

I don't even know why it would take a lot of discussion......

J62: my post crossed yours so I didn't see your 10:34 post.

I know the OP asked about France. I was just backing up reisender's answer to your &quot;<i>I can't figure out what problems an IDP would help solve</i>&quot;

Required in Italy/Austria/Greece. A good idea in some other countries is how I see it

Its worth getting incase you decide to drive into Italy. You will not be far if you are staying in Nice. I to am going to Nice soon and wondered Codergrlli what driving plans do you have? We are planning on driving to provence for a few days.

A recent Washington Post Travel section item about the consequences of going without the IDP in Spain:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...083100471.html