International Driver's Licence

[kylieh]

When hiring a car, did any of you need to show an International Driver's Licence. I'm thinking that we don't need one, just wanted to know how others went.

 

[OzCath]

Hi Kylie,

No. Last trip we just used our aussie drivers licence. That was all fine. No issues at all.

 

[AussiePJ]

If you are in Europe you will need one.

If the US no.

 

[queenie82]

If you are in Europe you will need one.

If the US no.

It isn't required for every European country.
ITALY you are supposed to have one but they never asked for it.

 

[kylieh]

Thanks all - saves me a trip to NRMA. Much appreciated.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

Been to the states 5 times with our 6th trip coming up this Aug/Sep and have hired a car/driven every single time on my WA drivers licence with no problems at all. Been licence checked in California and Texas with absolutely no drama.

Anyone who tells you that you need an International Drivers licence for the states is deadset having a lend of you.

 

[Oz-kateer]

I've driven all over the world on the strength of my passport and NSW DL as ID and never needed an international DL, EVER. Huge rip off.

 

[AussiePJ]

I have been beside a guy in Germany who was refused rental on his reservation because he didn't have an International drivers licence and had a colleague refused a rental in Italy because he didn't have one.

 

[mareeld86]

We hired cars all over the states last time we were there in feb and were asked for an international drivers licence everwhere.
We were in san francisco, Las vegas, Grand Canyon, Anaheim and LA and always needed it.
I would prefer to be safe than sorry

 

[kylieh]

We hired cars all over the states last time we were there in feb and were asked for an international drivers licence everwhere.
We were in san francisco, Las vegas, Grand Canyon, Anaheim and LA and always needed it.
I would prefer to be safe than sorry

Mareeld - who did you rent with. Reading this I'm wondering if I shoud go down the NRMA and get one (same for DH.)

 

[queenie82]

Mareeld - who did you rent with. Reading this I'm wondering if I shoud go down the NRMA and get one (same for DH.)

I'm curious as well.
We have rented all over the place in the US and Canada with National rental car and Alamo and NEVER EVER been asked for an International drivers license.
Most recently in December 09 and Jan 2010

We only ever got one because we went to Italy in Feb 09 and they say you need one there and the guy didn't ask for one. That was Hertz.

 

[kylieh]

Further to my last post, I just went to the NRMA website and had a look at http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/international_drivers_permits.htm which links to a PDF of when it International Permit is required/recommended/not required.

For the USA it lists recommended. There are some countries where it is not required.

 

[GrazingGoat1966]

kylieh, for the $20-$30 that you are going to pay, if you are concerned then just get one. But as I have posted earlier, in 18 years of fairly continual travel to the USA, from my personal point of view, I have NEVER EVER been asked for one, from the booking of the rental car to being licence checked by the "Chips".
Getting an International Drivers Licence for the states ia a bigger con than climate change.....that'll get me in trouble with the left!!!

 

[kylieh]

kylieh, for the $20-$30 that you are going to pay, if you are concerned then just get one. But as I have posted earlier, in 18 years of fairly continual travel to the USA, from my personal point of view, I have NEVER EVER been asked for one, from the booking of the rental car to being licence checked by the "Chips".
Getting an International Drivers Licence for the states ia a bigger con than climate change.....that'll get me in trouble with the left!!!

Not in trouble with me

I think we will get one. Or me at least. More peace of mind than anything else. My boss is going to South Africa for the World Cup, and he's in the same position as me, not really required, but recommended. So we're heading to NRMA together. Oh well, time off work.

 

[mareeld86]

I Rented with Alamo National and Hertz and Enterprise and they asked both my DF and I for our licences.

 

[Kalice]

We hired cars in December and last month, and we only showed our West Australian DL's. We haven't had international DLs since the 90's.

 

[kylieh]

We spoke about it some more, then had a brain wave/flash. Checked Hertz. Said not required for us. Man, all that worry for nothing. I seem to be good at that lately. But, I checked with Budget and it said it was requried. We're with HErtz so we're not bothering

 

[SnowWhite09]

My DH drove in the States in both California and Las Vegas on his South Australian DL with no issues at all. We hired the car through National.

 

[PrincessInOz]

We've driven in about 10 - 15 states (east, midwest and west coast) over the last 10 years. We hire mostly through Hertz. We've always only gone with our Victorian license.

My husband has been pulled over once by the CHiPs; when he moved over lanes without indicating. They looked at the Victorian license and let us off with a warning.

 

[Oz-kateer]

I've seen other posts floating around about "International Drivers Licences" so I thought I'd add my 10c worth in case anyone is thinking of getting one....

Be aware that an "International Drivers Licence" isn't actually a licence - it's an International Drivers Permit. If you do plan on obtaining an International Drivers Permit you'll need to carry your Australian home licence as well.

In the USA, most car rental companies will accept your home licence as enough to rent you a car. They usually only require international permits if your home licence isn't in English.

But they will not rent you a car on the strength of just an International Permit alone, since it's not actually a licence, it's only a driving permit.

So don't leave your regular drivers licence at home and only take the international version!