International Driving Permits/Licences

[amaroo]

Given how dodgy the real IDP thing looks, I'm surprised most people aren't just printing them out at home for themselves...
(extortion by the AAA on a global scale - I'm amused how they refer to it as a 'permit' as though they carry some sort of governmental style authority)

Looks no different to Visas or other things like Title Deeds ... try forging those!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Looks no different to Visas or other things like Title Deeds ... try forging those!

It's a dodgy AF piece of cardboard.
The motor associations who issue it make no attempt to verify anything and lack the capacity and access to information systems to do so.
You could wave a copy of a suspended or cancelled licence at them and they would duly issue you an IDP.
It's too big to be convenient.
If they can't make it credit card sized couldn't they at least make it passport size?
It's a pain in the backside* to carry around.

*edited to avoid the stupid **** some oversensitive soul would put in place of the word I actually used.

 

[amaroo]

It's a dodgy AF piece of cardboard.

<snip>

It's a pain in the backside* to carry around.

So you don't like the material or size

 

[JohnM]

All this blows my mind. I've driven in all sorts of places - including most mentioned in this thread. Apart from the very first time I went to LOTFAP many years ago, when I got an IDP because 'I thought I should', I've never bothered.

I've never had any problems renting a car.

The only time I ran into a possible issue was at a mandatory-stop security checkpoint on the PanAmericana highway in far N Chile. The junior officer who looked at my documents started babbling in Espanol what was obviously an assertion that I needed an IDP. My response: a polite 'no' (no in English is no in Spanish). Into the office and he defers to his boss - all sweet; carry on senor. Essentially, they could read it.

If I were wanting to rent a car where the language was not Roman-based (eg. Japan), then I would get an IDP.

 

[JohnM]

Jeez, @RooFlyer, you know how to light the place up . Are you actually intending to rent a car anywhere odd?

 

[amaroo]

All this blows my mind. I've driven in all sorts of places - including most mentioned in this thread. Apart from the very first time I went to LOTFAP many years ago, when I got an IDP because 'I thought I should', I've never bothered.

I've never had any problems renting a car.

The only time I ran into a possible issue was at a mandatory-stop security checkpoint on the PanAmericana highway in far N Chile. The junior officer who looked at my documents started babbling in Espanol what was obviously an assertion that I needed an IDP. My response: a polite 'no' (no in English is no in Spanish). Into the office and he defers to his boss - all sweet; carry on senor. Essentially, they could read it.

If I were wanting rent a car where the language was not Roman-based (eg. Japan), then I would get an IDP.

Sounds a little like all those Bali moped tragedies we're forced to read while enjoying our tea and toast

 

[Happy Trails]

Makes me wonder how I've managed the last 40 years without one.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

LOTFAP

Stop screaming.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

So you don't like the material or size

I also don't like paying anything to vultures for something I don't need.

 

[JohnM]

I also don't like paying anything to vultures for something I don't need.

Ha ha - that's funny coming from a lawyer .

Soorrrry - just couldn't resist... .

 

[RooFlyer]

Jeez, @RooFlyer, you know how to light the place up . Are you actually intending to rent a car anywhere odd?

No, but I guess you could call France 'odd'. . Ten days touring there next year; possibly also Japan so it looks like I'll grit my teeth and pay for the damn thing.

By sheer coincidence, I came across The last IDP I held, on the weekend. I gotta stop that hoarding, but by golly the pic shows a good looking young bloke

 

[OATEK]

It does seem a classis case of you don't need it until you need it! There is no doubt that the IDP lacks the quality (and you would think validity) that a photo licence provides. But we all have probably had an experience where the computer says no, or the customer service person in front of it. I must admit I have never thought of having one for the UK, but have taken one for Europe. YMMV.

 

[fkn_ace]

Over the past 8 years I've driven in Italy (sardinia, Sicily, the mainland), france, various states in the usa and canada, mexico, uk, greece, germany, spain. I've always made sure I had an idp and yet I've never been asked for it. But I'll still make sure i have one for next years european holiday, to reduce my risk of having the hassles that some have already posted, even though it's unlikely. Thankfully it's not a lot of money to waste on getting one. I also agree that it looks homemade and I also wish it was smaller.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

This is a special case that will have no relevance to many, but the IDP is an absolute must if riding a motorcycle in the Chiang Mai area (and particularly on the Mae Hong Son loop).
Last year I was riding there for about a week. During that time we were stopped at police roadblocks about 10 times. I can‘t be certain if they were official roadblocks or just for a bit of freelance wage augmentation... but the police were fining people about USD50 if they didn’t have an IDP. Fortunately we both had one - could have been an expensive lesson otherwise...

 

[tgh]

Having already driven cars all over without one, I did get an IDP for a Motorcycle expedition in South America.
The guides did all the haggling (there was a lot) so I have no idea if the IDP was relevant or not.
We were strongly entreated to avoid interaction with Bolivian police.. the guide said it could cost them a lot of money….

 

[Buzzard]

For what is relatively low cost in the big scheme of things, I'd just get one to avoid any potential hassle. YMMV

 

[coriander]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1188688703708753920

 

[group-of-5]

Hertz in Milan asked for it last year (Italy only travel).
Also needed it for Mariocart in Tokyo

 

[group-of-5]

Cost in Australia is 50% more than in the USA even accounting for the woeful exchange rate.

 

[UP4014]

Have hired a car in the US without any drivers licence, that was at an off airport place at SFO.

Also, just 2 weeks back hired a car in South Australia and never presented my licence and they never asked for a if.

I dropped getting them for O/S travel back in 1991.