International Drivers' License

[Nadonahoe Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nadonahoe]

Our family plans to go to Ibiza for Christmas - not sure how exciting the deep off-season will be - has anyone traveled in Ibiza in the winter - I'd love to hear about your (good) experiences? OK, I'm interested in the bad ones too.

I expect we will need to acquire an international driver's license for rental car, but don't know that for a fact yet. I really don't know where to go to get the forms etc. I plan to try AAA and do online searches, but if you've been through applying for and using one, please share 'how-tos' with me.... Thanks in advance Noelle

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I expect we will need to acquire an international driver's license for rental car, but don't know that for a fact yet. I really don't know where to go to get the forms etc. I plan to try AAA and do online searches, but if you've been through applying for and using one, please share 'how-tos' with me.... Thanks in advance Noelle

I got an international drivers license just before my trip Italy. I got it the same day in a AAA office but you can get it online. You need to have 2 passport pictures and a valid Drivers Lic. Normally people say you do not need it but I was happy I had it as I was pulled over for a Drivers license and insurance check.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

I have gotten them on two occaisions, but never was even asked for them in the countries the guide book said did so.

On trips that I did not have an international DL, I have gone through a license check in France with an NC license with no problem, and was pulled three times in the Czech Republic where again my NC license was no problem. The latter was interesting as it was the one time I drove in the Czech Republic with a rental car with German plates. I had never been pulled any of the previous times I had driven a Czech rental with local plates. Every time the cop saw my NC license and US passport and thus found out I was not German, they waved me on, twice without even commenting on why they stopped me. The one time they did give a reason, it was bogus, but if I had been German, I bet I would have gotten a ticket. It seems that ''driving while German'' must be an offense in the Czech traffic code! My NC license did fine for me, too, the time my vehicle was rear-ended in Greece.

[tim Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tim]

I have used a rental car several times in Europe (mostly Germany and Italy) and fortunately was never pulled over. Often times I did not have an international driver's license. A few times I did. For peace of mind, you may want to get one. Go to the AAA office. You can get your photos taken there and then get your license right away. If I recall correctly, the photos and license together cost around $25.

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

I haven't bothered with an International Driving Licence for years and never had any problems with car rental in Europe, USA or Canada.
It used to be possible to get them in the Post Office in the UK, but that stopped some years ago. I take that as an indication that they are not generally required any more.
With reference to Ibiza at Christmas - Ibiza is a summer destination for Brits and other Europeans and I would expect things to be pretty quiet (as in a lot shut!) at Christmas.

[Nadonahoe Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nadonahoe]

Thank You all. AAA was a pleasure to deal with. I too look at this as 'insurance' and may never be asked for the International license, but will avoid a potential hassle if it's easy to do.

That is an interesting story about 'driving while German' - it takes the meaning of 'profiling' to a whole new 'don't go there' dimension!

Keitht, you sold me. We are just looking to escape and experience nothingness for a week. Just new scenery, new sounds, new low-key culture sounds lovely.

Thanks big frank and tim and keitht and Carolinian - excellent advice and quick turnaround --- much appreciated. Noelle

[Keitht Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Keitht]

Noelle,

I'm sure you will have a relaxing time. Ibiza is a lovely island, particularly when the masses aren't there. Just don't expect sun bathing weather. It looks like the typical temperature range in December is 7 to 14 c. Low 40s to high 50s f.

[maiwah Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maiwah]

Hmmmm... I went to Spain last year and rented a car. Neither Hertz, nor carjet requires international driver license. Thanks for the posting. Next time I go to Europe, I will check to make sure to look up if the country requires international driver permit.

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DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE/PERMIT (IDL/IDP)?
Only in Morocco and Eastern Europe, which is not mandatory but recommended.

There is no such thing as an International Drivers License, only an International Driving Permit, which is merely a translation booklet allowing foreign-speaking authorities to examine & translate the valid license from your home country. Any other form of IDL/IDP, or anything costing more than $15, is unnecessary.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Hmmmm... I went to Spain last year and rented a car. Neither Hertz, nor carjet requires international driver license. Thanks for the posting. Next time I go to Europe, I will check to make sure to look up if the country requires international driver permit.

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http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc...d=212&secure=N
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DO I NEED AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE/PERMIT (IDL/IDP)?
Only in Morocco and Eastern Europe, which is not mandatory but recommended.

There is no such thing as an International Drivers License, only an International Driving Permit, which is merely a translation booklet allowing foreign-speaking authorities to examine & translate the valid license from your home country. Any other form of IDL/IDP, or anything costing more than $15, is unnecessary.

I found that it was not required on my Italy trip but it sure came in handy when I was pulled over for an insurance check there.