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