I am finally leaving tomorrow for my trip to italy. So difficult to believe it has finally arrived. My question is do we need our us drivers license as we will not be renting any cars----for id purposes? Would it be best to leave it at home? I am assuming our passports are all that would be needed correct? Thanks.

You don't need your driver's license. In my years of travel, I can't recall ever pulling it out for identification purposes, only at the car rental agencies when picking up a car.

I think it's a good idea to take it and keep it on your person-in your money belt- in case, for example, you are in a car accident and they need to know who you are.

Your roving real-life reviewer
MC

Keep your passport in your money belt. That will suffice for identification.

There are some places where you need to leave an ID as collateral, such as borrowing or renting audio guides for churches. I've used a DL for that purpose, and am more comfortable leaving DL over a passport.

But to answer your question, a passport is the only ID you'll need.

ok well in that case it certainly doesn't take up a lot of "space" so I will bring it just in case. Thanks so much.

I wouldn't go anywhere without mine, why wouldn't you take it? What if you need to rent a car to get home in the US? You think that never happens? Well, it has happened to me when a plane diverted and landed 100 miles from where I lived.

I have used a DL as ID in Europe quite a few times, although it isn't necessary, of course. As someone mentioned, I have left it as collateral in museums, but I also have used it as ID in some places, although not in Italy. Folks in Europe aren't that stupid that they don't recognize what it is. I just can't imagine traveling around without it unless you normally never ever drive a car, of course, and think there is no chance you ever will on your trip, no matter what.

Another thing that doesn't take up a lot of space is a copy of your passport, as recommended in item 4 on page 6.

I always take mine for the reasons mentioned above.

I have more than once given my DL as collateral at museums as Christina mentioned. I would not want to have used my passport. So yes, I think it is a very good idea to take your DL with you, diann.