International Driving Permits/Licences

[kangarooflyer88]

My understanding is you only need an IDP if you are in a country that doesn't speak English as the IDP serves as an official translation. I say this having hired cars in the US, UK, South Africa and now Australia with my Canadian driver's license no problem.

-RooFlyer88

 

[docjames]

Germany July 2022 - never asked (Avis)
UK June 2018 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany July 2018 - never asked (Avis)
Italy 2014 - never asked (Hertz)
UK 2010 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany 2010 - never asked (Hertz)

They are just the ones I recall.

The IDP is a rort (famous last words).

 

[OATEK]

Germany July 2022 - never asked (Avis)
UK June 2018 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany July 2018 - never asked (Avis)
Italy 2014 - never asked (Hertz)
UK 2010 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany 2010 - never asked (Hertz)

They are just the ones I recall.

The IDP is a rort (famous last words).

I think as many have said, it is most needed (but hopefully not often) when stopped by the Police, after an accident or similar.

 

[prozac]

...

The IDP is a rort (famous last words).

Wait until you are pulled over by the police in certain countries like Germany where you will incur a fine for not being able to produce both your IDP and your Aussie issued licence.

 

[jase05]

Germany July 2022 - never asked (Avis)
UK June 2018 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany July 2018 - never asked (Avis)
Italy 2014 - never asked (Hertz)
UK 2010 - never asked (Hertz)
Germany 2010 - never asked (Hertz)
They are just the ones I recall.

The IDP is a rort (famous last words).

Germany in July 2018 we needed one at FRA with Hertz to collect car.
On the same trip we got pulled over by motorcycle cop just outside Singen in Germany for a random check and was required to show it. He spoke very little English but seemed to indicate that we were “lucky” to have it on board.
Its been helpful in SEA with scooter hires and have been told a IDP is a requirement in the UAE but I guess I’ll find out in a week or so when we pick up the car from Hertz at AUH

 

[docjames]

Wait until you are pulled over by the police in certain countries like Germany where you will incur a fine for not being able to produce both your IDP and your Aussie issued licence.

Hopefully I’ve saved enough now in IDP costs that I can afford the fine…..

 

[Cossie]

Hopefully I’ve saved enough now in IDP costs that I can afford the fine…..

Speaking of which, I still haven’t received a follow up from my indiscretion back in early July.

 

[Scarlett]

This is why the IDP really should go the way of the dinosaur: Google translate -> select the camera icon.
Real time text translation!
(note: sample translation of the Italian Embassy website where I’m searching for authoritative information about the need for IDPs)



Surely any local police officer would be better able to use Google translate on their own device to look at your official home country license, rather than rely on an IDP booklet that appears as though it was produced by a 10 year old for a school project!

Plus, IDPs provide a translation of your English language drivers license details into what, 6-10 other languages? Google translate has more than 100.

 

[Brissy1]

This is why the IDP really should go the way of the dinosaur: Google translate -> select the camera icon.
Real time text translation!
(note: sample translation of the Italian Embassy website where I’m searching for authoritative information about the need for IDPs)

View attachment 316580

Surely any local police officer would be better able to use Google translate on their own device to look at your official home country license, rather than rely on an IDP booklet that appears as though it was produced by a 10 year old for a school project!

Plus, IDPs provide a translation of your English language drivers license details into what, 6-10 other languages? Google translate has more than 100.
View attachment 316581

Yes it's marvellous, camera translate. OT but used it a lot last year in New Caledonia where they like to think english language is non-existent (... it's a French thing.)

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Yes it's marvellous, camera translate. OT but used it a lot last year in New Caledonia where they like to think english language is non-existent (... it's a French thing.)

So what you're saying is that my Canadian driver's license (which by law must be in French and English) is fine in Nouvelle-Calédonie?

 

[drron]

So what you're saying is that my Canadian driver's license (which by law must be in French and English) is fine in Nouvelle-Calédonie?

Actually should be. Can't see the point of an IDP as well.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Actually should be. Can't see the point of an IDP as well.

What I can't understand is that I can show up to over a hundred countries (visa free) with my Canadian passport that's in English/French and it's accepted no problemo without the need for translations or anything else. It would seem that the passports have been standardized in such a way that they can be accepted globally. Why can't we have a similar thing with driving licenses? Keep in mind too that Australia, Canada and over 100 countries have signed the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, so in theory there is a framework to produce licenses that avoid this hassle.

-RooFlyer88

 

[TheRealTMA]

What I can't understand is that I can show up to over a hundred countries (visa free) with my Canadian passport that's in English/French and it's accepted no problemo without the need for translations or anything else. It would seem that the passports have been standardized in such a way that they can be accepted globally. Why can't we have a similar thing with driving licenses? Keep in mind too that Australia, Canada and over 100 countries have signed the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, so in theory there is a framework to produce licenses that avoid this hassle.

-RooFlyer88

You are not alone. No one can see the point IDPs, particularly of yearly renewal of IDPs.

 

[OZDUCK]

You are not alone. No one can see the point IDPs, particularly of yearly renewal of IDPs.

RAC (in various states), NRMA etc certainly see the , financial, point.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

RAC (in various states), NRMA etc certainly see the , financial, point.

Yeah but how much money are they making off of these things? Like $5?

 

[VPS]

It saved my bacon last year so I just put it down to the expense of travelling even though I think it’s a crock of coughe

 

[OZDUCK]

Yeah but how much money are they making off of these things? Like $5?

In WA the RAC charges $42 for a piece of card that would probably cost less than 50 Cents plus 10 or 15 minutes work by a staff member.

 

[prozac]

What I can't understand is that I can show up to over a hundred countries (visa free) with my Canadian passport that's in English/French and it's accepted no problemo without the need for translations or anything else. It would seem that the passports have been standardized in such a way that they can be accepted globally. Why can't we have a similar thing with driving licenses? Keep in mind too that Australia, Canada and over 100 countries have signed the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, so in theory there is a framework to produce licenses that avoid this hassle.

-RooFlyer88

There are in fact countries where you can drive on your Australian issued license without need for an IDP. Netherlands is one of these.
Netherlands is a country that also has a reciprocal medical agreement with Australia, so maybe the other 6 or so Euro countries that have reciprocal medical with Australia also have reciprocal drivers license recognition.

 

[SYD]

There are in fact countries where you can drive on your Australian issued license without need for an IDP. Netherlands is one of these.
Netherlands is a country that also has a reciprocal medical agreement with Australia, so maybe the other 6 or so Euro countries that have reciprocal medical with Australia also have reciprocal drivers license recognition.

Any country with English as their official (or one of) language should not require an IDP.

Nice to know the NL doesn’t. Mind you, you can’t drive very far before you’re in another country! Plus, it’s all up hill from there - literally.

 

[Brissy1]

This summary from Choice might be of some help

What you need to know about driving overseas | CHOICE

Which countries accept an Australian driver's licence? Do you need an International Driving Permit for your trip? Plus, we look at travel insurance for car hire overseas.

www.choice.com.au

though I don't like waffle like "In some other countries it's recommended you carry an international permit, as it may be a requirement to rent a car".