Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > United States
Reload this Page >

Drivers Licence Requirements

Search

Drivers Licence Requirements

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 03:18 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Drivers Licence Requirements

Hi All
Our travel agent has informed us that an International Drivers Licence is not necessary and that my Australian Licence is sufficient .
Can someone be kind enough to confirm
Thanks
Ray
Raymond123 is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 03:32 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,886
Likes: 0
I know this is true in New York - not sure about all other states.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 03:51 AM
  #3  
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
First, I think you mean International Driving Permit -- not License.

Since the whole point of an International Driving Permit is to provide an English translation for those travelers who have a license in a language that US police may not be able to read and understand, I can't imagine why an Australian would ever need an International Drivers Permit in the US. Nor can I find any evidence of any states that do require one. But if anyone can find such a requirement, please let us know.

By the way, I have seen that "some car rental agencies may require you to hold an International Driving Permit" but I have never heard of one being required if you hold a valid driver's license from another English speaking country. You might check with your rental agency just to be sure.
NeoPatrick is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 03:51 AM
  #4  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,083
Likes: 0
For others reading this post - an International Driver's License isn't really a Driver's License. It's a document that that translate the information on your own DL into several different foreign languages so that if you are in a foreign country and are stopped by a law enforcement agent who doesn't speak or read "your language" he/she will be able to get whatever info they deem necessary fro the International DL.

So, to answer OP's question, he will not need an IDL in the US.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 03:52 AM
  #5  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,083
Likes: 0
I see NeoPatrick and I were posting at the same time.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 04:05 AM
  #6  
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Yes, RoamsAround. And part of my post was to point out that I don't even think there is such a thing as an "International Driver's License" -- at least I sure don't know what that is, nor where you'd get one.
NeoPatrick is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 04:13 AM
  #7  
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Just seconding the good info Neo and RoamsAround offered. I really don't see why you would need this in the US.
travelgourmet is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 05:53 AM
  #8  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,083
Likes: 0
Neo's right, officially it's an International Driving Permit not an International Driving License (although many people use that term) and it's purpose is as I stated above, namely to translate information.

So, since OP's DL is in English he won't need an IDP in the US.
RoamsAround is offline  
Old Apr 29th, 2014 | 07:08 AM
  #9  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
>

Well, they do spell license differently.
BigRuss is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jweis
Africa & the Middle East
15
Sep 25th, 2007 12:03 PM
mad
Africa & the Middle East
7
Feb 28th, 2007 05:13 AM
take_time_2_travel
Europe
7
Jul 9th, 2006 06:45 AM
jenny
United States
4
Jun 26th, 2005 04:53 PM
Luv2Travel
Europe
10
Apr 1st, 2003 12:37 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -