International Driving Permit for Ireland

[UP4014]

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

I didn't really think about that until later. I did get pulled up but as soon as I said g'day mate he laughed, chatted and waved me off. (I was driving out of Tombstone) I asked why he pulled me up and he said nobody drives a small auto like that around here (was a Corolla) and thought I might have been smuggling illegals. Not sure where he thought I might be hiding them in a small auto.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

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..

The IDP is a Permit and not a license. If the countries where an IDP is stated as being required, you need to have both your license and the IDP

Many countries require Australians to have an international driving permit (IDP) in addition to a valid Australian driving licence to legally drive a car, or ride a motorbike. An IDP is a widely recognised document that can be issued by associated members of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). Before driving overseas, Australians should contact the appropriate foreign mission in Australia for information on drivers licence requirements.

Ensure the IDP allows you to drive or ride the vehicles you intend to use. Some insurance policies will not cover you if you have an accident using a vehicle you are not licensed to drive.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

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

I just found this on Hertz Ireland;

Hertz Car Hire Guide to Driving in Ireland

Guide to Driving in Ireland
General Information

In the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland always remember to drive on the left hand side of the road. Signposts and place names are displayed in both Irish (Gaelic) and English. Distance signposts and speed limits in the Republic of Ireland are in kilometers. In Northern Ireland signposts and speed limits are all in miles. Visitors to Ireland must have in their possession a valid national driving licence to hire a car and carry it with them at all times while touring. Seatbelts must be worn at all times in the front and back of the vehicle. There are very strict laws on drinking and driving and the best advice is simply don’t drink and drive. Don’t park in unsuitable areas and never leave valuables on view in the car.

No mention of an IDP being required.


So after reading that, and everyone's replies (thankyou!) it will be sans-IDP for me for this trip.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The IDP is a Permit and not a license. If the countries where an IDP is stated as being required, you need to have both your license and the IDP

Many countries require Australians to have an international driving permit (IDP) in addition to a valid Australian driving licence to legally drive a car, or ride a motorbike. An IDP is a widely recognised document that can be issued by associated members of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). Before driving overseas, Australians should contact the appropriate foreign mission in Australia for information on drivers licence requirements.

Ensure the IDP allows you to drive or ride the vehicles you intend to use. Some insurance policies will not cover you if you have an accident using a vehicle you are not licensed to drive.

There’s really little point in endlessly quoting further misinformation. It is not a legal document and has no actual standing.

At the worst, the law in a country may require a translation of your Australian driving licence in the local language.

Please name the insurance companies who refuse to cover without an IDP?

You are licensed to drive the vehicle by your Australian licence, IDP. Has nothing to do with it.

 

[opusman]

Even describing it as a permit is misleading. The RACV is not empowered to permit people to drive cars. It's basically a key to your state-issued driver's licence in a recognised form and in multiple languages.

 

[VPS]

Fce int driving permits

I know it's not Ireland but some countries do require it

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Please name the insurance companies who refuse to cover without an IDP?

.

If you re-read what was posted you will note that it did not state that insurance companies refuse to cover without an IDP. So I will ignore your request.


The key point I was making in the post that you took issue with was that you need to have a license in order to drive, and as I have written several times in this thread the IDP is not a license.

I started this thread because I was seeking clarification on whether an IDP was required or not. For the countries I am visiting on this trip the answer is no.

For other countries some of the Embassy sites do indicate that an "official" translation is required. The IDP is perhaps the simplest way to achieve this where there is no doubt as it it being acceptable. Not my concern for this trip, but others can decide for themselves for such countries if they want an IDP or not.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Fce int driving permits

I know it's not Ireland but some countries do require it

As noted already in this thread there is various contradictory information about, even on official sites (so this thread is helping to flush this all out).

For France from what I have read you need a license PLUS a notarized French translation (and an IDP is perhaps a convenient way for many to achieve this).

As for other countries, the world is a big place and so an IDP may be required somewhere. If so am sure someone will post the link to it, rather than just third party sites that state it is so.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well (and I am no expert) it would appear that Japan is one country where the IDP is required for those with Australian Licenses..



Hertz Car Hire in Japan | Easyrentcars.com

Driver's licence
Japanese law requires that all drivers who do not hold a Japanese driver’s license must hold a country of origin driver's license and an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Convention on International Road Traffic. Driving Permit must be issued under the 1949 Convention on the International Road Traffic.

Please note, an IDP issued under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 will not be accepted. And driver’s licence must be held for at least 1 or 2 years (according to different car hire company). Attention! Please show the staff both your local driving license and IDP (International Driving Permit) at the counter, or you will be rejected to rent the car.

For customers with driver's licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco and Taiwan are allowed to drive vehicles only when they carry both the original license issued in the above countries/regions and a Japanese Translation of such issued by JAF, or foreign embassies or consular offices in Japan. No exceptions.

Tips for driving in Japan--International Drivers Permit
Specifically, unlike many European countries, American drivers will need to have an International Drivers Permit (note: it's sometimes called an International Driving License) to drive in Japan.

If you're caught driving in Japan without one, you risk fines, arrest, or possible deportation. In other words, they're serious about it.


Must check before visiting Japan! Driving in Japan | OTS Rent-a-car


Australia is not on the list of countries where a translation replaces an IDP.

Must check before visiting Japan! Driving in Japan | OTS Rent-a-car

and that translation needs to be:

Only translations obtained from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or from the respective countries’ embassies/consulates in Japan are acknowledged as official. Official translation`s expiry date is the same with your local driver’s license, make sure that your car rental date is within the validity period of your license. Please note that regardless of your license validity period, you are only allowed to drive 1 year starting from the date you landed in Japan.

 

[TheRealTMA]

If you re-read what was posted you will note that it did not state that insurance companies refuse to cover without an IDP. So I will ignore your request.


The key point I was making in the post that you took issue with was that you need to have a license in order to drive, and as I have written several times in this thread the IDP is not a license.

...

Ok. So what’s the whole point of quoting such information (again) about an IDP. Why would anyone try to drive anywhere where you do not have a valid driving licence which is accepted in that country? So IDP is irrelevant.

And with respect, why quote the bit on insurance anyway?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Well (and I am no expert) it would appear that Japan is one country where the IDP is required for those with Australian Licenses..



Hertz Car Hire in Japan | Easyrentcars.com

Driver's licence
Japanese law requires that all drivers who do not hold a Japanese driver’s license must hold a country of origin driver's license and an International Driving Permit issued under the 1949 Convention on International Road Traffic. Driving Permit must be issued under the 1949 Convention on the International Road Traffic.

Please note, an IDP issued under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968 will not be accepted. And driver’s licence must be held for at least 1 or 2 years (according to different car hire company). Attention! Please show the staff both your local driving license and IDP (International Driving Permit) at the counter, or you will be rejected to rent the car.

For customers with driver's licenses issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, Monaco and Taiwan are allowed to drive vehicles only when they carry both the original license issued in the above countries/regions and a Japanese Translation of such issued by JAF, or foreign embassies or consular offices in Japan. No exceptions.

Tips for driving in Japan--International Drivers Permit
Specifically, unlike many European countries, American drivers will need to have an International Drivers Permit (note: it's sometimes called an International Driving License) to drive in Japan.

If you're caught driving in Japan without one, you risk fines, arrest, or possible deportation. In other words, they're serious about it.


Must check before visiting Japan! Driving in Japan | OTS Rent-a-car

We agree on countries which do not use western alphabet and the requirements for translation of your official licence.

 

[opusman]

According to Europcar at least, IDPs are mandatory in the following countries:

Argentina, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Senegal, South Africa.

The only one of those I've driven in is Argentina, yes I did take one with me and no I was never asked to show it.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok. So what’s the whole point of quoting such information (again) about an IDP. Why would anyone try to drive anywhere where you do not have a valid driving licence which is accepted in that country?

I think you are confused. While one other person did relate their experience in doing that, my posts have not been along those lines at all.

My questions have been along the lines of should you have have an Australian DL and an IDP., and where no IDP had people had any issues. My interest was in people's experiences, and not just what was indicated on various sites.

So IDP is irrelevant.

Well for Japan at least an IDP is not irrelevant.

And with respect, why quote the bit on insurance anyway?

For TI I was pointing out that having an appropriate license was required (and NOT an IDP as a number of people in the thread had been calling an IDP a license).

 

[lovetravellingoz]

We agree on countries which do not use western alphabet and the requirements for translation of your official licence.

Except for Japan that Australia is not on the list of countries where a translation is acceptable. Australian's must specifically have an IDP plus their Australian DL unless the sites that I have read are wrong.

For the other such countries I do not know as I have not checked them.

 

[Renato1]

People kept telling me that an International Drivers Permit wasn't required for Italy, as no one had ever been asked for one to hire a car. I got one for each trip anyway. And no car rental company over there ever asked to see it, instead just asking for my Australian licence.

And then one night the Italian Police pulled me over and demanded to see it.

It then occured to me - if one doesn't have it, and one has a bad accident - can a Travel Insurer refuse to pay out?
Regards,
Renato

P.S. The RACV charge a few dollars less for it if you show up in person and show your membership. And I always decline paying the extra $3 or $4 for the plastic cover.

 

[kookaburra75]

Same expereince as the others. 18 months ago I travelled through UK, Ireland and France, using Avis and Hertz, and all that was required was my normal drivers licence. I haven't used an IDP for 20 years, with no issues in UK, Europe, USA or Canada

 

[PLANT]

Family members not asked for international licence when picked up hire car from Europcar this week?
Anyone know how much a flat tyre repair will be Europe in a Europcar????
Have total protection insurance with another mob.

 

[drron]

According to Europcar at least, IDPs are mandatory in the following countries:



The only one of those I've driven in is Argentina, yes I did take one with me and no I was never asked to show it.

I've driven in Greece and South africa and not asked for an IDP but enquiring in Japan about renting a car I could not as no IDP.

 

[Paddy55]

As noted already in this thread there is various contradictory information about, even on official sites (so this thread is helping to flush this all out).

For France from what I have read you need a license PLUS a notarized French translation (and an IDP is perhaps a convenient way for many to achieve this).

As for other countries, the world is a big place and so an IDP may be required somewhere. If so am sure someone will post the link to it, rather than just third party sites that state it is so.

Well I'm puzzled as I've rented cars in France a number of times, and have never been asked for anything except my NSW DL... despite what the RACV say about an IDP being 'Required' there.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Well I'm puzzled as I've rented cars in France a number of times, and have never been asked for anything except my NSW DL... despite what the RACV say about an IDP being 'Required' there.

May I suggest you read the previous posts.