Sarastro

It´s also the law that you carry at least two portable breathalyser sticks but as there is no penalty for this infraction, so no one carries them.

It´s odd that foreigners have latched onto the IDP with such fervor. What about <i>priorité adroite</i>, speed cameras and constantly changing speed zones, very strict drinking and driving laws, or never passing another car on the right? Does anyone of you who focuses on the IDP have any idea what to do in the event of an accident? Does anyone know what those yellow diamond signs along the sides of the readway really mean?

How many of my fellow posters have actually talked with a National Policemen about what he thinks about this IDP law everyone here is so obsessed with? I have and frankly they do not care, they have far greater concerns than sending someone to jail for not having an IDP. And there are subjects far more important than whether someone carries an IDP or not. It´s really a non issue blown way out of proportion.

How long is the jail term for driving with a valid foreign license which does not have a French translation?

janisj

Who said anything about going to jail?? Bit extreme don't you think? But if you have an accident and don't have an IDP it is very likely your insurance will be voided. Insurance companies and cc insurance are very alert to folks breaking laws/rules when determining if they will pay out.

MmePerdu

"Insurance companies...are very alert to folks breaking laws/rules when determining if they will pay out."

Not long before my father died, his CA license had expired and he was unable to pass the test for a new one. Alarmed (for insurance reasons and the obvious other concerns), I called his insurance company, Geico, and asked what would happen if he had an accident, would he be covered. Amazingly, they said yes, he would be. As it transpired, I took over and drove for him for the short time he had left. My point, logic in these matters does not always apply.

IMDonehere

How long is the jail term for driving with a valid foreign license which does not have a French translation?

I don't know the law is in French.

bvlenci

Don't worry, only penniless eastern Europeans or north Africans get thrown in jail. Rich white foreigners can disregard the laws with impunity.

kerouac

Sarastro, the breathalyzer law was cancelled long ago.

What is changing is speed limits, but of course there will be signs to indicate them. The speed limit on the Parisian périphérique was recently reduced from 80 to 70, and a number of French <I>départements</I> will soon be changing the normal highway limit from 90 to 80 for a test phase to see if it should be extended to all 2-lane highways. As for the autoroutes, there has long been talk of changing the limit from 130 to 120 or even 110.

rogandgee

Is $15 such a big deal just to ensure that you are able to rent a car without a hassle?

kerouac

The point is that it ensures nothing, except making people feel foolish about having purchased it when they are never asked for it. I will also add that you will find numerous reports about people who were stopped by the police in France and who tried to present their IDP only to be asked for their real licence instead.

MaineGG

Doesn't the law require you to present your "real" license as well as an approved translation of it, i.e. the IDP, if requested by the police?

Personally, I believe you are probably correct that for licenses in English the police are not sticklers about having a translation. What does concern me a little now is that if the law requires a translation and you don't have one, are you technically breaking the law? In the event of an insurance claim due to an accident or other damage, could the insurance provider deny a claim?

IMDonehere

I will also add that you will find numerous reports about people who were stopped by the police in France and who tried to present their IDP only to be asked for their real licence instead.
___________
Fortunately I have never been stopped in France, but I always assume to hand over your driver's license from whatever state issued it AND the IDP.

I have more trouble with Italian officials.

AJPeabody

Let me add to the paranoia here, just for chuckles. I once lost my wallet and it took almost two weeks to get my replacement drivers license. If I had been about to go on a trip, I would have been up the creek, having only the picture-less 2 week temporary license the DMV gave me. The solution, of course, for paranoids only, is to report your license lost a month before leaving on a trip so that you will have two copies in case one gets lost.

Next problem: Will trip insurance cover me if an asteroid hits the earth close to my destination?

maitaitom

I would just like to thank the Parisian police for not ticketing me on my five-minute driving spree in the taxi and bus lanes last year. My guess is they looked at the cameras, saw my petrified face and said, "Give this stupid American a pass."

By the way, we rented the car without the IDP, but I was bleeding so much at the Limoges train station I think she just wanted me out of there ASAP.

kerouac

Being stopped in a bus lane is a very, very expensive fine in Paris. Probably pulling out an IDP would increase the fine, because it implies that you are aware of all possible rules, so that makes you even more guilty. ;-)

IMDonehere

Next problem: Will trip insurance cover me if an asteroid hits the earth close to my destination?
_________________
Depends if your destination has a pre-existing condition or not.

DCJones

We've rented cars in Spain without an IDP and had no problems. For me to get one would be very inconvenient as there isn't an AAA office in my town.

StCirq

<<We've rented cars in Spain without an IDP and had no problems.>>

That is SO not the point. If you HAD been pulled over and found not to have it, it could very well have been a problem and the insurance on your rental voided. But fine, take the chance. Not my problem.

iris1745

Agree with StCirq; We have rented cars for 27 times in Europe and always have an IDP.

Only a few times have been asked at the car rental agency to see our IDP.

Only a few times driving have we been been stopped driving and asked for an IDP.

For us, it is a no brainer at AAA for $22 dollars.

Never mattered to us if it was required in a given country---$22 dollars!!!???

PalenQ

Reciprocity has its rewards and one of them is not wasting $15 on a document that is useless.>

what do you mean by reciprocity - my state Michigan has an agreement with France and Germany to officially recognize each other's licenses - meaning I could if I had a VISA to say work in France automatically get a French license without further ado.

But we are a Republic of States as half-American kerouac knows and unless each state has that special deal I do not think there is any provision for our federal government to say all states must do the same - it is up to the states I believe - anything to do with issuing driving licenses - that's why we have different age limits and lots of differences in licensing - ain't a federal power.

that said I tutor many Asians and South Americans and for three months they all can use their own country's license but after that they have to go thru the same procedures as anyone getting a first license - written test, road test, etc. Except for South Korea, France and Germany in my state due to reciprical agreements - maybe some other countries as well.

kerouac

I only have a French licence but have had no trouble renting cars in New York, California, Florida, Louisiana, Washington State, Nevada, Georgia, North Carolina or Massachusetts. Usually the rental people have been totally unable to understand my licence so I have just told them the information they needed. Of course, all of the other states might be completely different.

kerouac

Oh, also Texas...