International Drivers Permit

[burmans]

Can anyone tell me the latest on whether these are needed in Europe. We will be renting n in France, Italy, Malta and Albania. Have hired for all but the last (but this may be the tricky one).

I've always got an IDP when travelling in the past due to an excess of caution but just noticed this wording on my last rental document.

'An International Driver's Permit (IDP) is also mandatory by law for non-European Union renters except for customers from the following countries who can rent with their national driver's licence and passport: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and United States.'

Anyone with recent experience of this?

 

[VPS]

There's another thread here and you have people saying you don't need one and it's a waste of time and others saying in the scheme of things it's not that expensive.

I'm with the conservative group and always get one if I know I'm going to be driving

International Driving Permits/Licences

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...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[SYD]

Yep, a few rental companies (Avis being one) have started writing that in after years of silence on the matter. Generally, if in a non-English speaking country you should consider it.

I was asked to produce one in South Africa on my last trip there. Fortunately I had one (albeit expired!)…

 

[Quickstatus]

International drivers permits are $42 + delivery via Service NSW app

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Can anyone tell me the latest on whether these are needed in Europe. We will be renting n in France, Italy, Malta and Albania. Have hired for all but the last (but this may be the tricky one).

I've always got an IDP when travelling in the past due to an excess of caution but just noticed this wording on my last rental document.

'An International Driver's Permit (IDP) is also mandatory by law for non-European Union renters except for customers from the following countries who can rent with their national driver's licence and passport: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and United States.'

Anyone with recent experience of this?

Just flew out of France today....currently in the air....near Tehran.

In France many of the majors require the IDP.
IE I checked by calling Avis/Budget while I was still in England and for France was required even though in UK was not required.

Small independents often only need passport and Oz driving licence. Buggs in Dordogne was like this. I hired from them as this trip I did not have an IDP. We originally were not going to hire a car in France but changed our minds when we decided to go to the Dordogne where you need a car.

In UK, IDP not required......as afterall the the IDP is not really a permit at all and for Aussies is just a translation of English into other languages.


PS my last several trips in Europe pre pandemic saw some renters in some countries wanting the IDP and some not.

Some people also claim it can be an issue with police if they cannot speak english. I have never been pulled up and so have no direct knowledge.

 

[kpc]

Any recent experience for rentals in Iceland? The company website says all I need is a licence in English so I wasnt planning to get one.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

There’s (at least) 2 things to consider:
1. What does the rental agency want; and
2. What do the Police want.

I know that this isn’t Thailand, but there the Police make a great sport of stopping the tourists on motorbikes, asking for international permit, and fining those without one.

 

[SYD]

International drivers permits are $42 + delivery via Service NSW app

Handy to know. I used to just rock up to an NRMA office but I see that they also now do online applications also ($42 + postage).

There’s also some useful FAQs at the link below:

International Driving Permit

For driving overseas, NRMA recommends an International Driving Permit (IDP), also sometimes referred to as an international driver licence.

www.mynrma.com.au

 

[Quickstatus]

e tourists on motorbikes,

They attract the cops for other reasons - mainly because of the higher incidence of accidents and the perceived boganish behaviour.

42

It’s a bit of a rort given that a pink slip which requires more work by the mechanic also costs $42

 

[SYD]

It’s a bit of a rort given that a pink slip which requires more work by the mechanic also costs $42

Cost wise, I agree. That’s always been the counter argument against IDPs - it’s just a pre-prepared booklet with state DL translated into multiple languages appended with your name, lic number etc.

They’re only valid for one year - that’s the real rort! If it was good for the life of the DL, then not as bad…

At the end of the day, it’s like insurance.

 

[drron]

Certainly didn't need it in Spain the last 6 days.
In the 2 years pre covid didn't need it in France or Germany -Avis and Europcar.

 

[SYD]

Certainly didn't need it in Spain the last 6 days.
In the 2 years pre covid didn't need it in France or Germany -Avis and Europcar.

Didn’t need or weren’t asked?

 

[Quickstatus]

weren’t asked

Possibly didn’t attract the attention of the CNP (the Spanish boys and girls in blue)

 

[drron]

Maybe the police need it but I was specifically told if pulled over by police that I would need to show my passport as well as my licence. No mention of an IDP.
I must say the rental service I received at Alamo here was superb. Explained everything about road laws and tolls. Given a discount and when returning it got another discount as the wonderful woman said it is unfair to charge a whole days rental just for 5 hours so the EUR 1100 rental came down to EUR 820.

 

[TheRealTMA]

And, how can an IDP “expire” after twelve months when it’s not a legal document in the first place. IMHO they are useless but once you have one then just use that one while your current drivers licence is valid. All it is is a basic translation from English to other languages and the language doesn’t change.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

International Driving Permit

For driving overseas, NRMA recommends an International Driving Permit (IDP), also sometimes referred to as an international driver licence.

www.mynrma.com.au

Well it is not a licence.



It is only a translation. If you do not have your actual original driving licence with you in addition to the IDP, you will be in trouble.

 

[SYD]

Well it is not a licence.



It is only a translation. If you do not have your actual original driving licence with you in addition to the IDP, you will be in trouble.

Correct

 

[Cossie]

I proffered mine at the Avis office in Berlin, the agent said you don't really need it, but I'll take down the details anyway.

I'm a worrywart, I haven't had a major problem renting cars before, (except for some speeding tickets, sigh), but if I do have a major issue, I want to be sure that all is ok. It's only 40 odd dollars, so for me, it won't break the bank.

 

[jase05]

I always have one but have hardly ever been asked to see it. Hertz at FRA required one to collect car a few years ago when I was there and a couple of other places in Germany and Switzerland. When in Asia I carry it as I always rent motorbikes or scooters and comes in handy with the local constabulary

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Off to Spain in Sept...and so will get the Permit for this trip.