Is an international driver's licence needed in California??

[Aust]

I always thought Australians didn't need an international driver's licence to drive in the US (as long as they have a valid Aust one of course) - I never had one in the times before kids when I travelled and drove in the US for work.

However something I read in the Traveller section of today's paper says depending on the state you may need one. Does anyone know the situation for California? We're only hiring a car for 2 days so it will be a nusiance to have to get one just for that.

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Nope you don't need one just your Aussie one

 

[zanzibar138]

I went to the effort of getting one, as I thought I'd rather go to a little bit of trouble and expense than get there and not be able to drive our hire car. But it really wasn't necessary - our Aussie ones were just fine and they never asked to see the international ones.

Just a heads up too as we didn't quite know what was going on! Once you've paid and everything you go up to the garage and *choose* the car that you'd like from a specific section of the carpark. You don't have to do the inspection before hand for scratches etc you just get the keys, get in and drive off!

 

[Aust]

Excellent, one less thing to do - every time I think I am on top of organising this trip I find something else to do or spend money on. And work and home life are so crazy at the moment I don't have any extra time to do extra stuff! but on the plus side this means the time is going faster and the trip will be here before I know it.

 

[queenie82]

I went to the effort of getting one, as I thought I'd rather go to a little bit of trouble and expense than get there and not be able to drive our hire car. But it really wasn't necessary - our Aussie ones were just fine and they never asked to see the international ones.

Just a heads up too as we didn't quite know what was going on! Once you've paid and everything you go up to the garage and *choose* the car that you'd like from a specific section of the carpark. You don't have to do the inspection before hand for scratches etc you just get the keys, get in and drive off!

That depends on which car rental company and what depot. That sounds like Alamo or National at the Airport. But this is NOT the case at a small Anaheim depot for example.
As for the scratches thing. You can still fill it in and hand it over. Again. It all depends on which rental company and which depot.

As to the OP.
That was in Texas and I would think the person did something to piss off the officer.
But who knows. If you're going to Texas maybe you should carry an International Drivers Licence
So frustrating when you never know the WHOLE story

 

[PrincessInOz]

DH has been pulled over by the CHiPs once (he was driving a little bit too inconsistent for them and they wanted to see if he was drunk or on drugs....just jetlag). He showed his Aussie D/L and there was no issue.

We've driven in at least 15 - 20 of the individual states and have never gotten an International license for any of them. Maybe I should check what the driving requirements are for the individual states next time I'm doing a road trip......

 

[australiankaren]

never had any issues.

 

[Andona]

As to the OP.
That was in Texas and I would think the person did something to piss off the officer.
But who knows. If you're going to Texas maybe you should carry an International Drivers Licence
So frustrating when you never know the WHOLE story

agree! in the 19 states we've driven through we didn't have IDPs but on this trip were driving through Texas, Louisiana, Tenessee, Alabama, Georgia etc. That article is not the only time I've heard of people having trouble in the deep south so this time DH has decided to get the permit. We figure the $25 is worth it for peace of mind.

Andona

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[WAMUMOF4]

I picked up my car in Texas and didn't need an international liscence and when DH was pulled over in 2010 they didnt ak for an international one they were happy with his Australian one

 

[Ozdisneydreamin]

We've driven in California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and New York and never had a problem just using our Australian drivers licence.

 

[33050]

I always thought Australians didn't need an international driver's licence to drive in the US (as long as they have a valid Aust one of course) - I never had one in the times before kids when I travelled and drove in the US for work.

However something I read in the Traveller section of today's paper says depending on the state you may need one. Does anyone know the situation for California? We're only hiring a car for 2 days so it will be a nusiance to have to get one just for that.

Not as far as I know.

I'm a Brit and I got a rental in LA in March with my normal British licence. You only need an international permit if your licence is written in any other language than English - that's what we were advised by the guys at Lynx Car Hire who we booked through (lynxcarhire.com).