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Old July 23rd, 2004, 02:12 PM
Owain
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Default International Drivers License?

"MattB" wrote
| Would it be advantageous for an American wanting to drive in France
| to have an International Drivers License?

No. An IDL is a worthless document.

It is *advisable* however to have an International Driver's *Permit*.

The IDP is a formal document which translates driving licence details into
several languages, enabling foreign authorities to interpret the entitlement
held, validity periods, age and identity of the holder.
(Explanatory note at
http://www.dvla.gov.uk/public/press_...03_14Apr03.htm
)

From Canadian Dept of Foreign Affairs website:
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/before/faq-en.asp#driving
Q: What are the additional advantages of using the IDP?
A: It provides the holder with an extra photo ID. Provides translation of
your valid Canadian Drivers licence since the IDP is printed in 10 languages
(English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian,
Scandinavian and Portuguese.) Most Car Rental agencies will request an IDP
even though one is not required to drive in their country.


Compared to the cost and inconvenience of being stopped by a jobsworth
police officer who decides to give you a hard time because your licence
isn't in French, it's probably a wise thing to have "just in case".

Owain