janisj

<B>MyDreamTrip</B>: "<i>we DID NOT need a International Driver's License.</i>"

Yes you did -- to drive legally and to ensure your insurance was not voided. You lucked out that time - but if you had had an accident (whether the police asked to see the IDP, or not) you would most likely have been on the hook for the entire bill since you were driving illegally.

So count your lucky star -- but NEVER tell someone they don't need an IDP.

MyDreamTrip

OK. I must comment since.... I DID NOT in fact tell anyone they don't need an IDP. As quoted from my post "we DID NOT need a International Driver's License." The optimum word being WE. WE were pulled over, WE did not have an IDL, WE were not asked for one, WE did not get a fine. That was my experience while driving for 2 weeks in Italy. And that is what my posts are based on, my travel experiences.
Maybe we were lucky. But, to be honest, anyone who find themselves driving around Italy is pretty lucky.
I just love to travel and want to help others who love it, too. I'm not a pro, or telling anyone what to do, just sharing my experiences.

StCirq

Well, I think it's totally irresponsible to say WE DID NOT NEED an IDP, because, in fact, you DID need one. The fact you got away with not having one is irrelevant. You were more than lucky - you broke the law and got let off. Even suggesting circuitously, as you did, that you might get away with breaking the law is...as I said, irresponsible. Just don't answer threads like this - it's totally NOT helpful.

kybourbon

>>>I was told by the car rental company and read online several places that I did not need an IDL<<<

Which rental company? I'm surprised the rental company would tell you to break the law.

>>>We rented a car (from Hertz) this past August in Florence. They never asked to see an IDP (yes, I had one).<<<

I rented from Hertz this past August also, but in Siena. The first thing they asked for was my IDP and my travel partner's IDP (yes, we both had them).

spaarne

For further information on the International Driving Permit see http://tinyurl.com/3bc2ax. I agree with rineurope and StCirq. It is silly and arrogant to drive without an IDP. You never know where a policeman will pop up or how he/she will react. I've been asked for my papers about a half dozen times when driving in Europe and never had a problem, even though I don't know if I actually needed the IDP where I was stopped. Police in Europe do not need an excuse to pull you over.

MyDreamTrip

Oh boy. I am not Italian law enforcement. I am a person who loves to travel and shared my experience of driving in Italy. No worries, I will not answer threads like this any more. Not worth the trouble. This is supposed to be a advice giving forum, not a place to call other people silly, arrogant, etc., etc. I am sure whoever reads all these posts will surely get an IDL, I would! Take it down a notch, people.

Ann1

@ MyDreamTrip: Posting on this board is for information to help people. I don't think you meant to misguide people. I think if you said that you didn't have an IDP but since it's the law, you should get one, people would have responded differently. By not stating that, people are misguided.

We have been traveling to Italy and Europe a couple of times a year forever. Our family is there. We still get an IDP every year. No one has ever asked us for it but the first time I didn't have it....I would be asked for it. A point of information: The US is the only country that issues them every year. Most issue them for much longer times.

hetismij

Ann1 - I believe the IDP is only valid for 1 year no matter where it is issued - certainly in the Netherlands and the UK it is only valid for a year.

spaarne

MyDreamTrip,
There is no such thing as an International Driver's License, IDL. What you need, despite the good nature of your Italian officer, is an International Driving Permit, IDP. Getting one takes about 10 minutes at your local AAA office.

christrmpt04

Frommers 2010 Italy guidebook clearly states that in Italy you do NOT need an IDP if you are driving a rental car. I am not saying that they are right, in fact I fully believe they are wrong, but with incorrect information coming from such credible sources, it may explain why there are so many people without IDPs. I am not planning on driving in Italy at all, but if I was, I would not have gotten an IDP after reading the Frommers book. Now, after reading this thread, I would.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

hetismij

The AA has a list of counties requiring an IDP - and which model of IDP they require:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...y-country.html

No doubt the AAA has something similar.

hetismij

Countries, not counties.

The USA is also listed btw.