Ugent-advice needed re: driver's licence
 

Hi all, leaving tomorrow for our trip. I need to know whether we need an international driver's licence for car rental and driving in France. We currently hold an Australian driver's licence. Please respond asap as I dont't have much time if I need to get one. Thanks, Miriam.

I drove all through France in 2000 for three and a half weeks using a Virginia licence. Check with the car rental company. You should be ok with your Australian licence.

That's nothink ronkala, I know people who have driven for 20 years and never once needed insurance either, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have one.
This topic comes up frequently. The main point of the international license is that it translates your regular license into other languages. If you have an accident or an incident, you would be glad you have one.

"nothink", I believe I meant "nothing".

Hello MiriamDeba, I do not know about France but in Italy Hertz had my husband show them his International Drivers License when we picked up the rental car each time.

I agree with Patrick's comments. Even if you just get stopped by a policeman the International Drivers License tells him the information he will want.

Quick, go get it! I hope this is not a problem. Do have a beautiful trip.

The IDP (it's a permit, not a license) is merely a translation of your real license, it has no legal standing of its own. Italy is one of several countries that require it; sorry, not sure about France. The car rental agencies don't care, it's the policia who will insist on seeing it.