MrWeasley

Can one renew an international driver's license?

hopscotch

I don't think so but I've never tried. I just get a new one.

Statia

I think it must depend on what type it is. Maybe there is a difference between a temporary license and a permanent one. I live in a Dutch territory and have always renewed mine.

RufusTFirefly

There is no such thing as an international driver's license. It's an international driving permit. It's a translation of your actual license into several languages, not the same thing as a license. It is valid for one year. If it expires, you just get a new one. Costs $10 at AAA.

Statia

Thanks for the clarification, Rufus. I was told when I got mine that it was an "international license" and I could use it to drive anywhere in Europe, as well as where I live. To think I've had it nearly 11 years and didn't know the difference. Guess that's what I get for living somewhere there are only 10 miles of road.

RufusTFirefly

Statia, isn't it great how the internet can extend those roads?

rex

There's an interesting question here: since it's nothing but a translation - - why renew it?

Anyone ever presented one that was well past its expiration date?

Maybe better than nothing. But then again, the countries which consider them <i>mandatory</i> might not take to an expired one.

Best wishes,

Rex

Sher

Well. My husband and I got them for our first trip to Europe several years ago.
We never realised that they were actually only valid for one year. WE have carried them with us every year but no one has ever asked us to show them even though we have rented many cars.
But I am going to Austria in a couple of weeks and all of the books say that is is mandatory in Austria. So I went to my local AAA and got a new one a couple of weeks ago.
It will be interesting to see if they look at it when I pick up my car.
AT AAA I was told that I must get a new one, no renewing the old.

Anonymous

In all the threads about the IDP (there's one every couple of weeks), nobody has ever mentioned that their car-rental company checked up on this. It's the police who care about it, not the car-rental people.

RufusTFirefly

It's like auto insurance--it's useless until you need it. It only costs $10 and a couple of passport size photos.

It has to be renewed because some of your info might have changed--when the international agreement was finalized, the participating countries decided they wanted them valid for only one year.

AnneO

We had to show ours when we picked up the rental car in Vienna, so I'm glad we spent the $10 and 30 minutes it took!!

Anne

Clifton

Yep, you renew it so that you are confirming to the non-English speaker that the local license has been recently validated and is still good.

GSteed

Re: IDP. International Driving Permit. This a document required in many countries to certify that the driver is competent. Most or all countries require this IDP plus a local drivers license. A valid Wisconsin drivers license PLUS the IDP. Its validity may be for a limited time. The IDP is not renewed it is reissued. A yearly event. AAA at Heathrow in Florida is a reliable and timely source of an IDP. Applications can be downloaded. Local police are often impressed with this document. Moreso than a simple USA state card. Many expatriates rely on it, rather than ondergo the daunting quest of a national driving license.

rex

I understand what you SHOULD do - - renew it. My question is: has anyone ever (accidentlly or intentionally) presented an IDP that is expired? (particularly in a country where they are NOT mandatory)

Statia

So, there's the difference. One is an international driving &quot;permit,&quot; while the other is an international drivers &quot;license.&quot;

And, Rufus...yes, I agree that it's great when the internet can extend those roads.

RufusTFirefly

No, there is no such thing as an international driver's license.

RufusTFirefly

Though some do mistakenly refer to the IDP as an international driver's license.