International Driving Permits/Licences

[RooFlyer]

I haven't bothered with an International Driving Licence for, oh, 30 years or so and thought they were irrelevant these days with photo national drivers licences. But reading this story from OMaaT, maybe they are still required for car hire in some places. Looks like Japan is a definite one.

Getting An International Driving Permit

Here's what you need to know about applying for an International Driving Permit, which is required to drive in many countries.

onemileatatime.com

What countries have you been positively asked for an International Drivers Licence when hiring a car?

 

[amaroo]

You need it for some states in the US.

Years ago I got pulled up for speeding in the woods of Quebec, the cop wanted to see my IDL.... felt good handing it over. Still copped a fine though.

 

[flyingfan]

Thailand - not that the permit has a translation in Thai.

Have not been asked for it in Greece, Malaysia, New Zealand, Canada or the US.

 

[pagingjoan]

Sardinia.
Essential for most car rental companies, as we found, to our cost, a year or so back.
A huge - and expensive - hassle to find a substitute vehicle, and still make it to the booked car ferry on its last trip for the day.

 

[opusman]

The only time I've ever been asked for one (and of course I didn't have one) was in Estonia when trying to rent a car. We had to change our plans on the fly and work out how to get to Riga another way. This experience has convinced me that they're worth having even if you never get asked for it - just in case.

 

[opusman]

Thailand - not that the permit has a translation in Thai.

Interestingly one thing I learned from my experience in Estonia was that the main point of the IDP isn't a language translation (even though this is one of its functions) - it's a class of licence translation. Australia isn't a party to the 1968 Vienna convention on road traffic and Australian licences don't have the standardised category codes which indicate what type of vehicles you are licenced to drive.

More info here: International Driving Permit - Wikipedia

 

[tgh]

Interesting.. mine has also expired.. pita keeping another piece of paper up to date

 

[RooFlyer]

Sardinia.
Essential for most car rental companies, as we found, to our cost, a year or so back.

I didn't need one for my Avis rental there a couple of years ago

 

[RooFlyer]

You need it for some states in the US.

Interesting! Of the list given here at DO require IDLs:

Which US states require an international driver's permit?

Answer (1 of 4): Each U.S. state can and does set there own driving laws. If you are from a non English speaking country it is best to have a IDP as it is a English translation of your foreign drivers license. China does not issue an IDP, so a Chinese citizen cannot drive legally in states that r...

www.quora.com

Note: some answers contradicting that list, underneath it.

... I've hired cars in Alaska, Arizona California, Illinois, Maine, Tennessee and Washington ... that I can remember .. without one. I wonder if its slackness of the hire companies / their rental desk employees Vs a state legislated requirement?

 

[Buzzard]

I recall reading recently about somebody who didn't have one and rented a car no problem. Until he was involved in an accident.
Think of it as an extra bit of insurance you have to pay for.

 

[drron]

Definitely needed in Japan.But seeing I will be driving in Japan at least once a year I will nearly always have one on hand.Just need to remember to take it.

 

[pagingjoan]

I didn't need one for my Avis rental there a couple of years ago

I don't recall at the moment which company eventually - and I mean around two hours later - managed to find an available car that did not require an IDL.
I do recall that it was reportedly the last available.
And we had, as I said, a pre-paid ferry booking, ditto for accommodation some hours away, and an appointment to meet.
Nerve wracking, all round.
All of the local rental companies were adamant on the need for an IDL. (Useless as they may seem. )

 

[Dr Ralph]

You need it for some states in the US.

Which ones?

I'm at 44 States and never been asked for one. In fact not normally asked for my licence as its loaded onto my Hertz profile in Australia.

 

[amaroo]

Which ones?

I'm at 44 States and never been asked for one. In fact not normally asked for my licence as its loaded onto my Hertz profile in Australia.

google will give you the answer

 

[Dr Ralph]

google will give you the answer

I'm saying Google is wrong. Google doesn't know everything! I thought you may have actual knowledge.

In my extensive experience in the US, there is no need for an international drivers licence. Despite what Google may claim.

I've hired extensively in the US and as I've already stated, in practice, never been asked for an international licence. Been involved in an accident, been pulled over by the police but NEVER needed an international licence.

 

[amaroo]

I'm saying Google is wrong. Google doesnt know everything!I thought you may have actual knowledge.

In my extensive experience in the US , there is no need for an international drivers licence. Despite what Google may claim.

I've hired extensively in the US and as I've already stated, in practice, never been asked for an international licence. Been involved in an accident, been pulled over by the police but NEVER needed an international licence.

Since you're SCREAMING, this offical USA Government website will put you on the right track.... Foreign Nationals Driving in the U.S. | USAGov

Foreign Nationals Driving in the United States
People who drive in the U.S. must have a valid driver's license. Some states require an International Driving Permit (IDP) from foreign nationals, in addition to a valid license from your own country. Contact the motor vehicle department of each state you will drive in for its requirements.

 

[banana boy]

Definitely you need one to hire a car in Japan - other places seems to be luck of the draw. I've been pulled over in various countries and when I've handed over my IDP the police have looked at me like I am from Mars until I handed over my actual Australian DL.

 

[drron]

I'm saying Google is wrong. Google doesnt know everything!I thought you may have actual knowledge.

In my extensive experience in the US , there is no need for an international drivers licence. Despite what Google may claim.

I've hired extensively in the US and as I've already stated, in practice, never been asked for an international licence. Been involved in an accident, been pulled over by the police but NEVER needed an international licence.

I'm at 50 states + DC and have not been asked for one.
But in the states that say you need one if you have an accident or pulled over by police you will find it would have been better to have one.

 

[Dr Ralph]

SCREAMING

?????????????

Hardly.


Your overly dramatic reaction suggests that you're put out that I've identified that the information you've provided does not appear to be correct.

I've pointed out that the information you might find on the web cannot necessarily be relied upon. That's specifically why I asked if you actually knew from your own experience. From the response you provided, it seems that you have no experience with international licences in the US. It's a shame that you have presented factually wrong information that could mislead others.

On that basis the information you have provided is not accurate.

I'm at 50 states + DC and have not been asked for one.

I'm not quite there yet, but expect to be by mid 2021

Agree, that I've never been asked for one in the US.

But in the states that say you need one if you have an accident or pulled over by police you will find it would have been better to have one.

1 accident in Kentucky. 2 times pulled over for speeding (but no fine ever issued) - 1 in Washington and 1 in New York. But at no stage was there ever a suggestion that I needed an international licence.

I'll continue to travel and hire cars in the US without an international licence.

 

[VPS]

I do find it annoying the cost but usually get one when I'm going to be driving just for peace of mind. In the big scheme of things it is a minor cost in your travel