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International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of
years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. Gord |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
On Feb 21, 12:01 pm, wrote:
I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. No. I don't need an international DL if I don't drive outside my home country. But if I do I would definitely get one. What if someone replies to you and says that no from personal experience you don't need one, and there you are driving in some backward village in Slovenia and the para military police don't accept your DL and fines you $1,000 EUR? Who are you going to complain to then? So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. Gord |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
On 21 Feb 2007 12:06:17 -0800, PeterL wrote:
On Feb 21, 12:01 pm, wrote: I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? YES - An awful lot! See http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp005.html Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? YES. Several situations (see below). Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. No. I don't need an international DL if I don't drive outside my home country. But if I do I would definitely get one. What if someone replies to you and says that no from personal experience you don't need one, and there you are driving in some backward village in Slovenia and the para military police don't accept your DL and fines you $1,000 EUR? Who are you going to complain to then? So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. My standard green (non-photo) UK licence has always been fine in THE most backward of villages in Slovenia, Poland, Hungary ,Croatia, Serb & Monty, Bos & Herz and Macedonia - and with car-hire companies in most (if not all) of those countries. However, I do also have an IDP (International Driving Permit - to give it its correct name) as a back-up - which has proved VERY useful in Russia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. An IDP bears a photograph of the licensed driver together with driver particulars written in 8 languages (English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Arabic & Japanese). I purchase mine on-line from a UK-based motoring organisation for a fiver (GBP 5.00). The cost is negligible - but bear in mind, however, that an IDP is only valid for a period of 12 months. My advice, simply put, would be:- For EU countries, if you're an EU citizen, you probably won't need one For anywhere else, especially if you're not an EU citizen - GET ONE! Regards Gerry |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
On 21 Feb 2007 12:06:17 -0800, "PeterL" wrote:
On Feb 21, 12:01 pm, wrote: I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. No. I don't need an international DL if I don't drive outside my home country. But if I do I would definitely get one. You raise a question I had not thought of before. Maybe the answer is obvious but do people resident in the EU get IDL's when they travel outside of the EU? Especially to the Slovenian village mentioned below where they may be acosted by some paramilitary police? What if someone replies to you and says that no from personal experience you don't need one, and there you are driving in some backward village in Slovenia and the para military police don't accept your DL and fines you $1,000 EUR? Who are you going to complain to then? I guess I wasn't planning to complain to anybody. THese same paramilitary police sound like they are capable of not accepting my IDL as well and still charging me 1000 Euros. So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. Gord PS: I am not really concerned about the paramilitary police and the 1000 euro fine. Gord |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
On Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:43:57 +0000, Gerald Oliver Swift
wrote: On 21 Feb 2007 12:06:17 -0800, PeterL wrote: On Feb 21, 12:01 pm, wrote: I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? YES - An awful lot! See http://www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp005.html Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? YES. Several situations (see below). Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. No. I don't need an international DL if I don't drive outside my home country. But if I do I would definitely get one. What if someone replies to you and says that no from personal experience you don't need one, and there you are driving in some backward village in Slovenia and the para military police don't accept your DL and fines you $1,000 EUR? Who are you going to complain to then? So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. My standard green (non-photo) UK licence has always been fine in THE most backward of villages in Slovenia, Poland, Hungary ,Croatia, Serb & Monty, Bos & Herz and Macedonia - and with car-hire companies in most (if not all) of those countries. However, I do also have an IDP (International Driving Permit - to give it its correct name) as a back-up - which has proved VERY useful in Russia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. An IDP bears a photograph of the licensed driver together with driver particulars written in 8 languages (English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Arabic & Japanese). I purchase mine on-line from a UK-based motoring organisation for a fiver (GBP 5.00). The cost is negligible - but bear in mind, however, that an IDP is only valid for a period of 12 months. My advice, simply put, would be:- For EU countries, if you're an EU citizen, you probably won't need one For anywhere else, especially if you're not an EU citizen - GET ONE! Regards Gerry Thanks Gerry, Your IDP is the very same thing as our IDL available in Canada. And about the same price. It's good to know that there are some countries where it has been useful. You are the first to make such a statement. Gord |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
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International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:01:05 GMT,
writted: I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. Gord Driving through those countries, you should have the licence for one simple reason - insurance. If something goes wrong, and it could, the insurance agencies would take one look at your lack of international licence, and will say "oh ho ho, we ain't gonna pay". Weigh it up. -- --- DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com --- -- |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
On Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:03:21 +0100, Deeply Filled Mortician
wrote: Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:01:05 GMT, writted: I think I have seen this debated here before but not for a couple of years. Are there any countries where you MUST have an International Drivers License? Has anybody had a situation where they had to show it to somebody who would not accept their home drivers license? Last I recall of the debate was that Nobody had first hand experience of actually needing one but several people had heard of somebody who knew somebody that actually had to produce it. The other conclusion from the debate seemed to be that they are relatively cheap and easy to get so why wouldn't you just get one? Even if you never need it. That same arguement could probably be made for a dog license even if you don't have a dog. So, what is the current concensus and experience? We will be driving in Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary Croatia, Italy, Austria, France at least. Gord Driving through those countries, you should have the licence for one simple reason - insurance. If something goes wrong, and it could, the insurance agencies would take one look at your lack of international licence, and will say "oh ho ho, we ain't gonna pay". Weigh it up. -- --- DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com --- That's a point no one has raised before. Is that really true? I've never heard of that but if it is the case, then it sure argues for getting the IDL. Do you have any anecdotes where this has actually happened? Do you know any place that I can check with the insurance companies? I will be checking with the car rental agency I am dealing with. Any body else run into this situation? Gord |
International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?
Let is be knownst that on Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:17:40 GMT,
writted: On Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:03:21 +0100, Deeply Filled Mortician wrote: Driving through those countries, you should have the licence for one simple reason - insurance. If something goes wrong, and it could, the insurance agencies would take one look at your lack of international licence, and will say "oh ho ho, we ain't gonna pay". Weigh it up. -- --- DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com --- That's a point no one has raised before. Is that really true? I've never heard of that but if it is the case, then it sure argues for getting the IDL. Do you have any anecdotes where this has actually happened? Do you know any place that I can check with the insurance companies? I will be checking with the car rental agency I am dealing with. Any body else run into this situation? Just cover yourself at every conceivable point. The insurance companies would look for any detail to argue over, and the police and courts won't sympathise with you at all. Frankly, I wouldn't use a car for this type of trip at all, because public transport is good in all those regions. Sure as heck it's gonna be a lot cheaper! -- --- DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com --- -- |
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