Is an international driver's permit really needed?
 

Good morning all, i hear from various people that you will never need an IDP to rent a car in Italy.

However, most websites and travel books say the opposite?

Does anyone have an experience to share? It's only $15 so not a big deal getting one, but just curious.

Thanks!

Have any of those "various people" ever RENTED a car in Italy?

Were any of them ever stopped by a policeman?

Since you obviously don't believe them why not just GET one?

Legally you're supposed to have it. Some car rental agencies require it, others don't. However, if you don't get in an accident, maybe you'll think you wasted $15. Do you buy insurance?

This is a relatively recent requirement. Maybe your sources of information are not up-to-date?

It's a legal requirement for Italy, but not always enforced. It's up to you whether you want to take the risk since some rental places are asking for it and some aren't. You may or may not get stopped or in an accident. I'm not sure how your insurance will react if you are not driving "legally" in Italy if you are in an accident.

Dukey, I'll assume the CAPS mean you are trying to be extra friendly in your response. Thanks for the reply!

Yes one friend was there in 2004. He says it's not needed. My father-in-law is there now waiting for us to arrive and he didn't get one. Not sure if this was an oversight or he intentionally didn't get one because he didn't think it was necessary.

Anyways I'm getting mine today, but this being a travel advice and discussion forum I figured I'd start some discussion on it. As you mentioned Mimar, I thought it might be a very new requirement.

Why 'buy' troble? Search Italy and get REAL answers. You may be a good driver but the other guy isn't. Without the proper papers you may have lots of trouble. Think, 'vaccination'. Shoud I skip the tetanus shot?

it is not a very new requirement. And normally one does not need a IDP to rent a car. But to drive LEGALLY one must have one.

Sorry about the all caps - but emphasis IS required once in a while . . . . . .

Your friend's comment/experience is like someone in CA saying "don't bother w/ car insurance, I've never needed it"

I went to the UK and rented a car two years ago. After reading that they could possibly be required, I decided to get one. I was never asked about it while over there.

I would recommend getting it. It was cheap and easy to get - it was one less thing to worry about. Definately worth the peace of mind.

Yes, we have rented cars in Italy before - including this past summer. We were not required to show an IDP in order to rent our car. We WERE required to show our regular driver's license. Embassy website states:

"Americans visiting Italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an International Driving Permit before leaving the U.S."

Note the word "should". We did not get an IDP on this last trip.

ShavTrav: You did not need an IDP since it is merely a translation of your own license (which I assume is in English).

AtlTravelr: &quot;<i>We did not get an IDP on this last trip.</i>&quot; . . . . and you broke the law (and would have been SOL if you had had an emergency and it was needed) . . . .

You are legally required to have an IDP in Italy ONLY if you don't have a licence issued by an EU member state.

The overwhelming majority of foreign tourists in Italy AREN'T legally required to have an IDP. Most Americans, Canadians and Australians ARE legally required to have one.

I've rented cars several times in Italy and never had and IDP. I have had ``parking discussions'' with police and it wasn't mentioned.

The IDP is not driving document, it is a translation of your drivers license. But really how hard is it to figure which is the name, who is the issuer, and what the dates refer to?

In the past, I've flip-flopped about this issue. Back in 2001, my husband got an IDP for our trip to Italy, but we never rented a car.

Vacationing in Italy in 2007, unexpectedly, we rented a car from Avis for one day, and neither of us had an IDP. The car rental office just checked my husband's U.S. driver's license, which was sufficient.

This year (2008) we do plan on driving a rental car in Italy so my husband has obtained an IDP from our local AAA office.

It's peace of mind. We don't want any hassles on our vacation.

Maybe you shouldn't overthink this issue, just keep it simple, get it and it's one less thing on your mind.

mr_tower:

No, we're probably not related...curious, is &quot;tower&quot; your last name? It is mine. I've never seen you posted on here before.

I used to get the IDP but stopped it several years ago. Heading for Portuigal in a few weeks, and I may reconsider.

Welcome to the forum, fellow &quot;tower&quot;....

Stu T. (tower)....L.A.

That is &quot;Portugal&quot;, of course...

Just because a particular individual wasn't asked for an IDP by a particular Italian policeman on some particular occasions does not mean that no Italian policeman ever asks for one.

People get onto our city Light Rail trains all the time without buying a ticket. Most are never asked by the transit police to show their tickets. But when they are asked and don't have one, there is a big fine.

&lt;&lt;&lt; But really how hard is it to figure which is the name, who is the issuer, and what the dates refer to? &gt;&gt;&gt;

Well it won't be easy to take the driving licenses for 50 states and all the other driving licences for 170+ countries and for someone to work out if that licence is valid - and if your licence is valid FOR THAT VEHICLE

That's the point of the IDP - it comes in a standard format that's easy to understand EVEN if the local language isn't one of those on the IDP

As for Italy - it's a LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

Just because it isn't always enforced doesn't mean it won't be ESPECIALLY if you are involved in an accident and your insurance company decideS not to pay out because you were driving ILLEGALLY

You do not need an IDP if TWO conditions are filled:
1. Your license is issued by a NATIONAL authority. The 50 US states are not nations.
2. The license is written in a language that uses Roman characters.

Great, thanks all. I got it this afternoon. The guy at the CAA echoed most of your comments. In the end he said &quot;better safe than sorry.&quot;

Ran into another guy while there who leaves for Rome the day before we do, and was also getting the IDP. I always find that funny, because the trip is such a personal experience, you almost forget there are countless others who are going through the exact same thing.

Thanks again
mr_tower (Ottawa, Ontario)

mr_tower,

Wise decision. Have fun in Italy!