International driver's license

[frankierx]

I need help in gathering information on an International driver's license.

 

[FoBoT]

for what?

if you are going to Europe and want to rent a car, you just need a valid US license

 

[biggestmuff]

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1179.html#permits

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=AAA&clb_id=212&secure=N

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
for what?

if you are going to Europe and want to rent a car, you just need a valid US license

This is incorrect.

In most (but by no means all) EU nations you may rent a car without an international drivers license, but that does not mean that you are not legally required to have one to drive. For example, in Spain you may rent with a U.S. driver's license but if you are stopped by the police you may be ticketed for driving without a valid driver's license.

Most countries have such information available on their embassy's websites.

 

[FoBoT]

whatever, we rented cars for business in the netherlands and belgium and UK and Ireland many times without problems
one guy even got in a wreck and it wasn't a problem

not that you shouldn't get that IDP from biggestmuff's link ^^^

 

[Lonyo]

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
whatever, we rented cars for business in the netherlands and belgium and UK and Ireland many times without problems
one guy even got in a wreck and it wasn't a problem
q]

Whatever?

Sure, since you're not the one who will pay the ticket and have the vehicle impounded if your blanket advice happens to be wrong for the country the OP is travelling to.

 

[FoBoT]

i was just sharing my experience
thanks
have a nice day
go get a IDP from AAA, OP, good luck!

 

[trinketsummoner]

U.S. Citizens are encouraged to obtain International Driving Permits if they plan to drive in Spain

From the US gov site : http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html

Note the highlighted word isnt required.

 

[Aztech]

I've gotten it at AAA before. I never got to use it though. Anyway, you just go there with a couple of ID pictures and a valid license and they fill it out and give it to you.

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i was just sharing my experience

"if you are going to Europe and want to rent a car, you just need a valid US license"

That doesn't sound like an experience. Sounds like a statement of fact.

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: trinketsummoner

U.S. Citizens are encouraged to obtain International Driving Permits if they plan to drive in Spain

From the US gov site : http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html

Note the highlighted word isnt required.

The police here say otherwise as I learned the hard way. The U.S. government does not make Spanish law (yet).