How long does an International Drivers Licence last?

[Mal]

Last April (2012), I rented cars in Belgium, Rome, Inverness and London (3 separate hires). Not once did any of the Hertz agents ask for a IDP. In May (2012), I hired a car in Orlando and a RV in San Franciso - again, no request to site an IDP.

The RACV web site (International driving requirements - RACV Travel) says that Belgium, Italy and the USA all require an IDP. In my prior experience with car hires in France and Spain (where it's required according to the RACV site) I have never been asked for the IDP.

Being asked for it, and being legally required to have one are seperate issues. The us hasn't required one previously (from recollection), perhaps the Florida kerfuffle changed the advice on having one.

The DMV/licensing/roads authority in the country or state where you want of drive should have information hidden away also.

 

[jetlagger]

The problem with not getting an International Driving Permit is that in the event of making a claim (unlikely as that may be) the insurance company may reject your claim if you make one seeing that it seems to be a requirement to have an IDP in listed countries. I think it is an impost with little real effect. Have hired cars overseas for years and was asked for my IDP for the first time in France last year by a world wide car rental company which features yellow prominently.

Exactly for that very reason, I renew mine every year & always have it on hand should I opt to drive (rarely) in any country.
$39 p.a. ( currently ) is a small price for peace of mind & insurance compliance.

 

[Mal]

8 quid to get one in the uk. (Plus photo cost). What a Rort for the Australian charges... and I find it interesting that different aa organisations in Australia charge different fees.

 

[here2go]

8 quid to get one in the uk. (Plus photo cost). What a Rort for the Australian charges... and I find it interesting that different aa organisations in Australia charge different fees.

$30 in NT with AANT Membership (10% percent discount). I still wonder why we bother with an association for the NT. Level of service I got from the NRMA far greater than up here, but our logo does have buffalo horns on it, which must mean it is cool.

 

[jetlagger]

8 quid to get one in the uk. (Plus photo cost). What a Rort for the Australian charges... and I find it interesting that different aa organisations in Australia charge different fees.

Mmm.. RACQ. renewed two weeks ago, with supplied photo AUD39. Think it was AUD27 last year.
Inflation is rife in Australia. :evil:

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Hire car companies have never needed these, they are for when you get pulled over by police and road authorities. If you do to have one (regardless of what the hire companies say) you will be subjected to a fine, just like driving without a license (in the EU at least).

For $39 p.a. it is worth the piece of mind.

Having driven in Italy, France and Germany fairly extensively, I have never been asked for it as I don't speed

 

[JCD]

Although never asked for one I believe that some car rental companies may not honour insurance if you don't have one in the required countries.

 

[harvyk]

I've driven in the US a few times, but the way I figure it is

Cost of flights to get there and back ~ $1,500,
Cost of hotels at destination ~$1,000
Cost of hire car at destination ~$250
Cost of IDP ~$50... So not really a big investment when you consider

Cost of last minute travel arrangements because the hire car company won't rent you a car without one ~ first born...

 

[ozmille]

I have one from Belgium but was never asked for it here, in the US. Now that I have a NSW licence I did a test when renting a car in Belgium and Germany in August and handed my NSW licence over to see if they asked for an IDP but they couldn't care less.

*EDIT*

had a look and the Belgian ones are valid for 4 years and were EUR16 when I last got one

 

[Jurahn]

We've hired from Avis and Hertz in the US several times in the past couple of years (most recently in February), and our Australian drivers' licences were accepted, no problem (then again, we weren't driving in Florida!).

We were stopped at a Customs and Border Patrol checkpoint in Arizona, and they asked if everyone in the car was a US citizen. When we said no, they weren't interested in seeing drivers' licences, international or otherwise - they wanted to see our passports, which we always carried with us when driving in the US, just in case. So something to keep in mind if you're driving in any of the border states!

 

[drewbles]

Last April (2012), I rented cars in Belgium, Rome, Inverness and London (3 separate hires). Not once did any of the Hertz agents ask for a IDP. In May (2012), I hired a car in Orlando and a RV in San Franciso - again, no request to site an IDP.

The RACV web site (International driving requirements - RACV Travel) says that Belgium, Italy and the USA all require an IDP. In my prior experience with car hires in France and Spain (where it's required according to the RACV site) I have never been asked for the IDP.

Can confirm the USA one is bogus. Hired dozens of cars, provided VIC D/L and all was fine. No mention of anything else!

 

[opusman]

8 quid to get one in the uk. (Plus photo cost). What a Rort for the Australian charges... and I find it interesting that different aa organisations in Australia charge different fees.

It's a complete ripoff. My actual drivers licence is only $17.50 a year - an IDP of dubious and questionable value is twice the price!

 

[hj.au]

I was pulled over once on Los Angeles high way. Police only checked NSW D/L. I told him I confused about miles and KM, he just let me go. Lucky~^_^

 

[Major]

It's a complete ripoff. My actual drivers licence is only $17.50 a year - an IDP of dubious and questionable value is twice the price!

Wow...I just renewed my 5 year Qld licence for $143.75

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Don't get me wrong, it's a complete rip-off for what is basically a translation of your drivers license into various other languages, however I wouldn't risk being caught without it for the minor cost and minimal inconvenience.

 

[The Rok]

In been stopped for traffic offences on more than one occasion in Florida (speeding) and have only ever shown my DL, never had a IDP and was never asked for one!

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

In been stopped for traffic offences on more than one occasion in Florida (speeding) and have only ever shown my DL, never had a IDP and was never asked for one!

It's primarily for non-English speaking countries, although, most Americans don't speak English either

 

[serfty]

... although, most Americans don't speak English either

Wot?

Oh, that's right - Spanish¡

 

[Mal]

Uk licence renewal is 20 quid (plus photo cost) for ten years validity.

I have a qld smartcard licence too, but I only paid about $100 for it as I was an early adopter.

 

[jastel]

Only driven in english speaking countries, (including USA), I got one for the first trip but never again.

Slightly off topic, I still have the old style laminated Qld licence, it is current, and at a museum in Germany you were supposed to leave your ID when you got an audioguide.
The guy would not accept it, he said it was a childish forgery and I had to leave $50 euro.
I agree with him totally but wasnt paying again for a pretty new one until it expires.