Requirement for license for one year
 

We are leaving for Italy on Sept 11 and planned on renting a car for 3 days. Now I see where you have to have had a license for one year. I just moved to Texas and got my new license in April, although I had a license in Louisiana for 48 years. Are all persons that got a new license or renewed their license within a year ineligible to drive?

You've been driving for nearly 5 decades. Don't worry about the requirement. It's for new drivers, not old pros. One thing you will need, should you be stopped by the police, is the IDP, International Driving Permit, which you can pick up at your nearest AAA office.

Some rental companies ask to see your IDP during the rental process. So, what would your back-up plan be if they wouldn't give you a car without an IDP?

If you're stopped by the police for any reason and don't have an IDP (together with your home state license), you can be fined. I don't know what the fine might be, but I paid less than $20 for my IPD (incl. photo) at AAA. BTW, the process took less than 20 minutes.

I have yet to encounter any rental car company asking to see the IDP, but Italy may be different in that respect. You know Italians! I would expect the unexpected.

"I have yet to encounter any rental car company asking to see the IDP, but Italy may be different in that respect"

It's a legal requirement in Italy for non-Europeans (more precisely: for anyone without an EU common licence) to have an IDP. Period. End of story.

It's not just a criminal offence for a non-European to drive without one, but driving without one can be used by an insurance company to invalidate any claims you might make.

It's no big deal to get the IDP from AAA; just do it.

If you have your old Louisiana license, but bring it too to set your mind at ease in case they question you. As others have said, you won't have a problem with the rental company.

Guys I have the IDP. The question was regarding having a license that is only a few months old, because of the move. I got an explanation from American Express that it applied to young drivers that may have just gotten a license. However, Avis actually interpreted it to mean if the date of issue was less than one year old, I could not get a car.

>>>I have yet to encounter any rental car company asking to see the IDP,<<<

I had Hertz ask for it first thing when I was picking up a car and for the second driver.

>>>Now I see where you have to have had a license for one year.<<<

Where did you see this? Anyway, you don't have a new license if you've been driving for 48 years. You have a renewed license.

If you're planning to rent a car, it might be an idea to read this: http://tuscany-toscana.blogspot.ch/2...e-renting.html

They also say that you need an IDP both to rent and in case you're stopped by the police.