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Message
International Drivers License
Posted on 6/20/25 at 7:37 am
Posted on 6/20/25 at 7:37 am
Not a scam. I saw several people turned away from Europcar because they didn’t have it. You can do the whole process online and it can save you the hassle once you arrive in Europe.
I know some will disagree. It better safe than sorry. You could end up trying to get a car with none available.
I know some will disagree. It better safe than sorry. You could end up trying to get a car with none available.
13
Posted on 6/20/25 at 7:50 am to VABuckeye
Just rented a car last week in Europe without one. They let me, but told me if i got pulled over without one they could throw me in jail.
It seems like the only purpose of it is to make sure the translation is available for wherever you are so the police can read it in spanish, french, italian, etc.
If you got a dickhead cop they could be a dick with you and bring you to jail, but I would imagine most would be understanding.
Id say it would be smarter to be safe than sorry, especially considering it's apparently pretty easy to get this online, but it didn't prevent me from being able to rent from National while in Spain.
It seems like the only purpose of it is to make sure the translation is available for wherever you are so the police can read it in spanish, french, italian, etc.
If you got a dickhead cop they could be a dick with you and bring you to jail, but I would imagine most would be understanding.
Id say it would be smarter to be safe than sorry, especially considering it's apparently pretty easy to get this online, but it didn't prevent me from being able to rent from National while in Spain.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 7:53 am to TeddyPadillac
Yeh, I think certain rental companies have stricter policies than others. It’s about 30 bucks and very easy to get without leaving your house.
Depending on where you are renting your car it’s a good idea. Due to train issues we tried to rent in a small town which had zero cars available and no IDL could have furthered the problem. We had to rent at MXP and drive an extra four hours.
Depending on where you are renting your car it’s a good idea. Due to train issues we tried to rent in a small town which had zero cars available and no IDL could have furthered the problem. We had to rent at MXP and drive an extra four hours.
This post was edited on 6/20/25 at 7:55 am
Posted on 6/20/25 at 7:54 am to VABuckeye
Yeah I've gotten it before every trip to Europe, it is a minor hassle but one of those "better to have it and not need it..." type things.
I've only been asked for it once while renting a car, and presented it to an Italian police officer when I was going a little too fast in a small Tuscan hill town
I've only been asked for it once while renting a car, and presented it to an Italian police officer when I was going a little too fast in a small Tuscan hill town
Posted on 6/20/25 at 8:11 am to VABuckeye
Depends on where you are. I've gotten them at AAA just in case.
State Department Site
Which Countries Require Them
State Department Site
Which Countries Require Them
Posted on 6/20/25 at 8:16 am to VABuckeye
quote:
ou can do the whole process online and it can save you the hassle once you arrive in Europe.
Most of the online ones claiming to do it are scams and send you a card that isn't actually valid
AAA is the only surefire way I know of
Posted on 6/20/25 at 8:17 am to Nole Man
I didn't need one in most of Europe, and thought Poland would be the same. I was wrong, and got turned away from the rental counter. It was probably for the best, Uber was super cheap.
OP, remember you have to get it (at AAA) before you leave the US.
OP, remember you have to get it (at AAA) before you leave the US.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 8:58 am to VABuckeye
Are you in Italy?
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:09 am to VABuckeye
I used Europcar less than two weeks ago using my US drivers license and passport with zero issues.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:14 am to TeddyPadillac
quote:
Just rented a car last week in Europe without one. They let me, but told me if i got pulled over without one they could throw me in jail.
This is the experience I had in Italy. You also can't get the license once you're in Europe so you need to do it stateside ahead of time.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:19 am to VABuckeye
I always get them. They are easy and cheap enough.
If you live in the New Orleans area you can get them at the AAA office on Causeway Blvd regardless of whether you are a member.
I have been told by rental car companies in Europe that they can do without them but if you get stopped by a cop without one you may be in trouble
I would just get it.
If you live in the New Orleans area you can get them at the AAA office on Causeway Blvd regardless of whether you are a member.
I have been told by rental car companies in Europe that they can do without them but if you get stopped by a cop without one you may be in trouble
I would just get it.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:26 am to AbitaFan08
Maybe it depends on which agent you get?
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:39 am to VABuckeye
Very well could be. Or based on some other posters it might matter what country you’re in.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 9:51 am to VABuckeye
Went to Italy back in March. Drove a ton. Got the IDL from AAA. It was worth it because we did get stopped at a check point. No traffic violation but they were checking for foreigners without the IDL.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 10:12 am to AbitaFan08
quote:
Very well could be. Or based on some other posters it might matter what country you’re in.
Italy is well known for requiring IDL. I believe Japan is the same.
Other countries DGAF, like Croatia.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 11:46 am to VABuckeye
I'd never gotten one before and have had zero issues on five previous trips to Europe. But reading the reviews for rental car agencies for my upcoming trip to Sardinia and Spain made me nervous, as some reviewers were saying they were being denied a rental by the rental agency when they went to pick up the car without the IDL. I've had enough bad experiences with European rental agencies not having the car available that I'd reserved (or any car), demanding large deposits, charging my credit card for BS damage. So I got the IDL this time just to remove a potential issue.
Posted on 6/20/25 at 12:27 pm to VABuckeye
Both my wife and I made a point of getting one for our trip to Greece last year: the rental car company basically rolled their eyes at us when we asked if they needed it. So yeah, definitely a your mileage may vary situation 
Posted on 6/20/25 at 8:29 pm to VABuckeye
Depends on where you go.
I rented a car from a restaurant, of all places, in Saranda, Albania three weeks ago. I showed my state issued DL to a guy who spoke no English, signed a form in Albanian, and was off with the car. They took cash for payment on return of the car.
I rented a car from a restaurant, of all places, in Saranda, Albania three weeks ago. I showed my state issued DL to a guy who spoke no English, signed a form in Albanian, and was off with the car. They took cash for payment on return of the car.
Posted on 6/21/25 at 12:15 am to VABuckeye
Aaa travel office right off bluebonnet will get you in and out with one in ten mins. Just renewed my a week ago.
Posted on 6/21/25 at 10:08 am to AbitaFan08
You will only be asked if the country you are renting from requires an IDP.
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