International Driving Permits/Licences

[DC3]

In practice there is no way a tourist can legally drive/ride in Vietnam, IDP or not ...

From memory, there are hurdles for tourists/visitors driving in mainland China as well. I once looked into it, not that I would be game to drive in China anyway.

Chinese licence required, and IDP not recognised.

 

[justinbrett]

Even if there were. Be aware that the rental car companies can set their own requirements for IDPs!

A lot of that is misinformation as well. A lot of EU countries require them (apart from UK and Ireland) but it’s not common elsewhere.

This is the Hertz policy for the US:

An acceptable, valid driver's license issued from your country of residence must be presented at the time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued from your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a Hertz vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.

 

[QF_Flyer]

A lot of that is misinformation as well. A lot of EU countries require them (apart from UK and Ireland) but it’s not common elsewhere.

Maybe explains why I've never come across it, I use a UK licence in Europe, Aussie licence elsewhere - UK licences conform to the EU standard, so are valid all over the EU/EEA (well, for now anyway).

 

[Flashback]

Maybe explains why I've never come across it, I use a UK licence in Europe, Aussie licence elsewhere - UK licences conform to the EU standard, so are valid all over the EU/EEA (well, for now anyway).

How were you able to keep your Australian one? I had to had mine in at the DVLA in order to get my UK one. Or did you apply for the UK one from scratch and go through the whole rigmarole that goes along with it?

 

[QF_Flyer]

How were you able to keep your Australian one? I had to had mine in at the DVLA in order to get my UK one. Or did you apply for the UK one from scratch and go through the whole rigmarole that goes along with it?

I was the other way around, I passed my drive test in the UK, and did a straight swap in Australia. VicRoads just gave it back to me; I did expect to have to surrender it, so not sure whether it was a mistake or not.

 

[opusman]

Is there anything definitive which says whether you do or don't need one for X county when driving on a licence from Y country (for example, would one be required in Canada driving on an Aussie licence? Would one be required in Chile driving on a UK licence, that sort of thing)?

No, that's the problem - there is nothing definitive. Just because you've never been asked before doesn't mean you won't be asked in the future. For $45 why risk fines and potential disruption to your trip?

 

[RooFlyer]

would one be required in Canada driving on an Aussie licence?

In Canada, for example, here are the rules for the provinces of Nova Scotia, British Columbia & Ontario. Basically no problem for 90 day visits for Nova Scotia & Ontario while British Columbia gives you a 6 month period.

Well, that's a relief. Having spent the better part of 10 years commuting to Canada for work, and hiring cars in just about every province, dozens and dozens of times, but especially Alberta, BC, Ontario and Newfoundland, it never crossed my mind to have an IDP, as I mentioned at the start of this thread.

 

[Cossie]

The boss goes back to Vancouver each year and we have never given it a second thought. Next year it will be prudent to get one.

 

[justinbrett]

The boss goes back to Vancouver each year and we have never given it a second thought. Next year it will be prudent to get one.

The Australian High Commission in Ottawa has a list of provinces on its website that accept Australian Licences without an IDP - and covers all of the main ones including BC and Ontario. I’d be 100% confident not having an IDP in Canada (and the US for that matter).

 

[RooFlyer]

The Australian High Commission in Ottawa has a list of provinces on its website that accept Australian Licences without an IDP - and covers all of the main ones including BC and Ontario. I’d be 100% confident not having an IDP in Canada (and the US for that matter).

Canadian provinces that recognise Australian driving licences

Sure enough, Quebec's not on the list I lived there for a bit under a year and was advised that I should get a Quebec licence, as my Ontario one might not be 'recognised'.

But that list only gives 6 out of the 10 provinces and 3 territories!

Given that an IDP is not a 'licence', and there are a number of provinces that, according to the High Commission don't 'recognise' Australian licences, does that mean your driving 'unlicenced' in them? Presumably what the HC meant was that the listed provinces recognise Australian licences 'stand alone'.

 

[justinbrett]

Canadian provinces that recognise Australian driving licences

Sure enough, Quebec's not on the list I lived there for a bit under a year and was advised that I should get a Quebec licence, as my Ontario one might not be 'recognised'.

But that list only gives 6 out of the 10 provinces and 3 territories!

Given that an IDP is not a 'licence', and there are a number of provinces that, according to the High Commission don't 'recognise' Australian licences, does that mean your driving 'unlicenced' in them? Presumably what the HC meant was that the listed provinces recognise Australian licences 'stand alone'.

I guess with Quebec it’s probably a French v English thing. For the others it’s probably not that they don’t recognise our licence, but that they don’t have a specific policy on it. The hertz policy for Canada is that IDPs are only strongly recommended for non English licenses.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Anyone know if you need an IDP in Chile?

 

[tgh]

Not sure about Chile , but I certainly needed one for Bolivia and Peru

 

[JohnM]

Anyone know if you need an IDP in Chile?

I’ve driven in Chile many times. Never had one.

I got queried about it by the junior officer at a mandatory checkpoint in the very far N one time but his boss set him right.

 

[bfm]

Like many here, I also have travelled extensively and hired a car in Europe, Asia and America's. Except for Japan, 1st time need for an IDP was in Greece earlier this year.

Like others have indicated, had to buy online.

In the discussion with the principal of the hire car company (in Greece) he stated it was their insurance company that required them to enforce. He said the insurance company told him to provide a 'spiel' to customers that the police now want and will charge the company. He said he believed it was to do with the frequency of 'refugees' using rental cars to drive to Germany - and the cost of retrieving an abandoned rental car. He assumed the measure meant that as 'refugees' were unlikely to have access to an IDP, then the insurer would be advantaged.

As an aside, I was pulled over by the police (in Greece) and while I had an IDP on my phone, they never asked for it. Seems like the story from the hire car company may be closer to the truth.

 

[grussellt]

I used to get a new IDP every time I went overseas. However if it's really only there for translational purposes and to indicate class of licence then I wonder if the date on the IDP really matters. Clearly the date on your Australian licence indicates currency so it begs the question whether an "expired" IDP would suffice.

 

[Petcollect]

Like many here, I also have travelled extensively and hired a car in Europe, Asia and America's. Except for Japan, 1st time need for an IDP was in Greece earlier this year.

Like others have indicated, had to buy online.

In the discussion with the principal of the hire car company (in Greece) he stated it was their insurance company that required them to enforce. He said the insurance company told him to provide a 'spiel' to customers that the police now want and will charge the company. He said he believed it was to do with the frequency of 'refugees' using rental cars to drive to Germany - and the cost of retrieving an abandoned rental car. He assumed the measure meant that as 'refugees' were unlikely to have access to an IDP, then the insurer would be advantaged.

As an aside, I was pulled over by the police (in Greece) and while I had an IDP on my phone, they never asked for it. Seems like the story from the hire car company may be closer to the truth.

That makes sense. Last year on the Greek Islands of Corfu and Kefalonia I needed the IDP for car rental. I think I saw one police car on both islands but @ $48 it is cheap to avoid having a refusal re cars or a police fine ruining your holiday.

 

[fard13]

It is a massive rip off by the motoring bodies across Australia.
I have taken one in the past but never needed. I travel to Europe most years and hire cars in many countries.
However a mate who also heads to Europe at least once a year was asked 18 months ago with one company on a booking he had. Had to find another company to renty off at FCO. I will take one next year while in Greece, Italy, Germany and Spain.

 

[opusman]

I used to get a new IDP every time I went overseas. However if it's really only there for translational purposes and to indicate class of licence then I wonder if the date on the IDP really matters. Clearly the date on your Australian licence indicates currency so it begs the question whether an "expired" IDP would suffice.

Yes if it's not valid without your licence then I don't know why it needs an expiry date of its own at all.

 

[DC3]

Yes if it's not valid without your licence then I don't know why it needs an expiry date of its own at all.

Only because it’s a cash-cow for the motoring organisations to issue for 12 months only. Definitely a rip-off.