International Driving Permit for Ireland

[lovetravellingoz]

Hi all,

I have booked 4 car rentals through the Hertz Australian site for Scotland, England, Ireland and Sweden.

From what I have read I understand that for these particular countries that I only need my Australian Drivers Licence for these rentals and do not require an International Driving Permit.

However RACV states that for Ireland that a Permit is "recommended".

For Ireland has anyone had any issues in not having a International Driving Permit, whether that be with the rental office or with police etc?
.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi all,
<snip>
However RACV states that for Ireland that a Permit is "recommended".

For Ireland has anyone had any issues in not having a International Driving Permit, whether that be with the rental office or with police etc?
.

No problems for me in using just my Aussie licence - anywhere.

Would the RACV be into selling international driver's licences, by any chance?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

No problems for me in using just my Aussie licence - anywhere.

Would the RACV be into selling international driver's licences, by any chance?

Yes they do

There site has a list of countries listing where they are required,
RACV International Driving Licence for driving overseas

Also states if they are not required. But they also have some countries listed as recommended without saying why.

 

[VPS]

I know most of the time you don't need them but for the extra $40 I tend to just get one to feel more secure if anything goes pear shaped

 

[opusman]

Never been asked for one, anywhere.

Maybe you'd need one where the local language doesn't use the Roman alphabet. But in Europe (particularly Western Europe) they're a complete waste of money.

 

[kpc]

Never been asked for one, anywhere.

Maybe you'd need one where the local language doesn't use the Roman alphabet. But in Europe (particularly Western Europe) they're a complete waste of money.

3 years ago we rented a car in Ireland without an IDP...things can change of course.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I know most of the time you don't need them but for the extra $40 I tend to just get one to feel more secure if anything goes pear shaped

If it is on the "required" list I would probably do likewise as I suspect insurance etc could be an issue.

But if it is just "recommended" my inclination is to go sans-permit (and remember it is not a licence, it is a permit).

Moreso if English is commonly spoke and read in that country.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hi all,

I have booked 4 car rentals through the Hertz Australian site for Scotland, England, Ireland and Sweden.

From what I have read I understand that for these particular countries that I only need my Australian Drivers Licence for these rentals and do not require an International Driving Permit.

However RACV states that for Ireland that a Permit is "recommended".

For Ireland has anyone had any issues in not having a International Driving Permit, whether that be with the rental office or with police etc?
.

Nope. The apparent stated purpose of the IDL is to provide a translation of your driver’s licence into local languages. English is used in Ireland last I heard.

They are just a money making enterprise by RACVs etc. And the ones they issue are “apparently” only valid for 12 months which proves the point I suggest. IDLs are not ‘legal’ documents like passport or licenses IMHO.

Never been asked for one in 40 years of driving in many different countries.

 

[kelvedon]

Nope. The apparent stated purpose of the IDL is to provide a translation of your driver’s licence into local languages. English is used in Ireland last I heard.

They are just a money making enterprise by RACVs etc. And the ones they issue are “apparently” only valid for 12 months which proves the point I suggest. IDLs are not ‘legal’ documents like passport or licenses IMHO.

Never been asked for one in 40 years of driving in many different countries.

+1. They are not a permit, merely a translation of your license.

 

[DC3]

+1. They are not a permit, merely a translation of your license.

The $39.00 fee is a total rort. And that's for each 12 months.

 

[OZDUCK]

I agree that no IDP is required for Ireland. We went last year and plenty of sources said that none was required - and none was ever asked for. The only one that "recommended" one was the RAC WA - again they just happen to be the one that could make a profit out of my having one.

 

[oobi doobi]

Hi all,

I have booked 4 car rentals through the Hertz Australian site for Scotland, England, Ireland and Sweden.

From what I have read I understand that for these particular countries that I only need my Australian Drivers Licence for these rentals and do not require an International Driving Permit.

However RACV states that for Ireland that a Permit is "recommended".

For Ireland has anyone had any issues in not having a International Driving Permit, whether that be with the rental office or with police etc?
.

Have hired cars in all the above countries, several times in the case of Ireland and the UK. I have never been asked for an international driving permit.

regards

 

[TheRealTMA]

The $39.00 fee is a total rort. And that's for each 12 months.

And, IMHO , if you ever get one, you can use it for life, that is your life.

 

[tgh]

Well that was a surprise I didn't need.
The IDP carefully tucked away er somewhere for future use will be out of date and useless….Oh Flop !!!!!!
I had mine for biking in South America ; Ireland ex UK and return , was fine on my normal Qld licence…

 

[vetrade]

I thought I'd better have an IDP "just in case" for a while but on the occasions I offered it at the rental agency it was always rejected and they insisted that only my real driver licence would do. Like others' experiences, over many years there's never been a single occasion when I have used an IDP. Money for jam for the RACV to take a pic and fill out a form.

 

[Hvr]

I was asked for an IDP in Japan, they weren't interested in my Australian licence. But that is the only time I've been asked (or even taken one abroad).

 

[UP4014]

I've hired a car in San Francisco without producing a license at all. (Forgot to take it)

They accepted my passport but I did have to take all the add on insurances.

 

[opusman]

Wow, I reckon you would have been in trouble had a cop asked to see it! Bit of a risk.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Wow, I reckon you would have been in trouble had a cop asked to see it! Bit of a risk.

Na. They wouldn't have got that far. All the bullets would have rendered the driver's licence irrelevant.

 

[DC3]

I was pulled over by police in Florida once. Only interested in my drivers licence and never asked for IDP. Since then, I have never bothered with getting one for the USA.