International Driving Permit... necessary??
 

Does anyone know if this is a necessity? A travel agent told me that I should go on line and apply for one. My mother drove in Italy last year, and she didn't need one or was never asked for one. Is it something new? What's the benefit? Thanks, Amy

If you simply use the search function here for International Driving Permit you will get enough information from a mountain of past posts to write a book on the subject.

Larry J

Hi, just came back from Italy Wednesday. We did not need an international drivers permit. We rented a car from Hertz, they never asked for one. Have fun.

<<Hi, just came back from Italy Wednesday. We did not need an international drivers permit. We rented a car from Hertz, they never asked for one.>>

This doesn't mean that you were <i><b>legal</b></i>. While many of us agree with your experience, you would find otherwise, if (unlikely as this might be) - - you were stopped by police or in an accident. It IS a legal requirement that you have one. Cheap and no trouble to get from AAA. Remember that it is not a true &quot;permit&quot; - - but rather just a translation of your existing (US) state driver's license into a hlaf dozen languages or more. You have to present both to be legal, if the police ask.

Best wishes,

Rex

There are several posts on slowtalk.com indicating that the Italian police are now asking for the IDP in speeding/accident cases and that fines have been imposed when the driver doesn't have it. Peace of mind is cheap at $10!

&quot; My mother drove in Italy last year, and she didn't need one or was never asked for one.&quot;

These type posts are so funny. Would these same people say something like, &quot;we had no insurance at all on our car and we never needed it&quot;? Just because you weren't stopped by the police, I guess you can say you didn't &quot;need&quot; it, just like if you didn't have an accident then you didn't &quot;need&quot; insurance.

If the law REQUIRES you to have an International Driver's Permit in a particular country like they do in Italy, then why on earth wouldn't you get one? Do you like living on the edge, maybe? If it's a matter of the money, you'd save a lot more by not getting any insurance and hope for the best too.

This may seem like a subtle distinction... but this seems a little bit harsh...

&lt;&lt;If the law REQUIRES you to have an International Driver's Permit in a particular country like they do in Italy, then why on earth wouldn't you get one? Do you like living on the edge, maybe?&gt;&gt;

It's one thing to inform, another to lecture and rant.

Does anyone here ever exceed the speed limit (at home or abroad)?

I am not going to evangelize about the importance of obeying speeding laws, nor otherwise - - nor will I <i><b>invite</b></i> you to speed because &quot;everybody does it&quot;, and it will save you time.

back to the original question...

&quot;Does anyone know if this is a necessity?&quot;

It is required by law in Italy. Period.

I'm sorry that somehow offended you, Rex, or you felt it was unnecessary ranting, but when people say over and over again here (not just this post but one or two similar ones a week) that they didn't NEED one, I think a little lecturing IS in order. I'm sure my insurance comparison is a valid one. One wouldn't think of skipping having insurance, and yet that's exactly what the IDP is and some people seem to be telling others to skip getting one! In my book, that calls for a lecture or at least a &quot;wake-up&quot; call.

Spain: YES
Italy: YES
France: no, but it is better to have one in case the policemen that might stop you doesn't understand english and unable to read your home driver's permit.

aimblue...

&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;Is it something new?&gt;&gt;&gt;
no, it's something old. i would not bother with it. with the EU, a lot of this provincial non-sense has gone out the window.

patrick,
relax, all tourists are also *technically* required to register with the police within 3 or so days of arrival. who does? the IDP is a relic and about as uncool as traveler's cheques. don't bother.

As pointed out by others, the benefit is that if you have a problem and you happen to get a cop who wants to see your IDP in a country that does require it, you can show it to him and avoid a fine.

But watch out--there are web sites that claim to issue legitimate IDPs, or international driving licenses, but are scams. In the USA, the place to get one is AAA.

to aimblue_eyes

I just got an IDL from triple A are you a member? ....it's simple they take the passport size photo ($8) &amp; issue the IDL ($10) within 5 minutes. yes, an IDL is needed in Italy...

Oh, and there are still some old and uncool cops working in Europe.

Remember that the IDP is not a license, it is a translation of your license into several languages--you still need to carry your regular driving license with you.

if this were a necessity by law, which it seems it is... why on EARTH don't the rental companies advise you when you make reservations?????

would help everyone in the end.

the car hire companies don't ask for it or mention it for the simple reason that it is NOT required by law. You'll be just fine with an english language licence.

You didn't offend me Patrick - - and reading the responses by &quot;walkinaround&quot;, I can see what provoked you to do a little lecturing. I, too, was trying to make a comparison. The obligation of any visitor... or citizen... to follow <i><b>any</b></i> law is seomwhat &quot;relative&quot;. It's either comply... or deal with the consequences.

But I &quot;feel your pain&quot;. Misinformation is really wrong.

I generally use public transportation but in some areas a car is a necessity such as Provence, Tuscany, western Ireland etc. I am a law abiding citizen of the world and as such I make sure I have a current IDP when renting in a country that requires it by law such as Italy. But.......I find it a little annoying and suspect that I must buy a renewal every year since it's purpose is only to provide a translation for my American license. Languages don't change every year so why should one need a new translation every year? Ever wonder why that is?

Larry J

Well, on your travels if you decide to NOT follow the laws of your host country and get caught just imagine the interesting trip you can report on when you get back home.

I am going to the UK in May so thanks for the reminder, I must get one of these.

Patrick, when you were in the accident in Wales, did they ask for your partner's IDL? Not that this will be a determining factor for me, I will get one anyway, but I'm curious.

Thanks.

P M you will not need a IDP in England. A IDP is a translation of your DL. If you are from the USA then you DL is already in English. You just need to check to see which nations require a translation of your DL. I know Italy and Austria do. It also depends on the the Police officer. I was fined for speeding in Austria and the officer never asked for a IDP.