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International Driver's License
How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We
have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. |
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International Driver's License
singlemalt wrote on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:02:09 -0500:
How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. I got one once, in 1963, but never needed to produce it anywhere in Europe nor also during trips every 2 or 3 years. Perhaps, if I'd had a traffic accident it might have needed it, but all I ever had was a parking ticket in Thun, Switzerland and I ignored that. I have heard it suggested that you are more likely to have to produce one in Italy or places that don't use the Roman alphabet like Greece but I've never been to the last. -- James Silverton Potomac, Maryland Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not |
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International Driver's License
singlemalt wrote:
How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. No legal requirement. All it is is just a copy of your legal driving license, so you might just as well just take your home license. |
#4
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International Driver's License
"James Silverton" wrote in message
... singlemalt wrote on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:02:09 -0500: How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. I got one once, in 1963, but never needed to produce it anywhere in Europe nor also during trips every 2 or 3 years. Perhaps, if I'd had a traffic accident it might have needed it, but all I ever had was a parking ticket in Thun, Switzerland and I ignored that. I have heard it suggested that you are more likely to have to produce one in Italy or places that don't use the Roman alphabet like Greece but I've never been to the last. -- James Silverton Potomac, Maryland Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not Rick Steves' site at http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/carrental_2005.htm has the following: "Your American or Canadian driver's license is all you need in most European countries. An international driving permit (IDP) provides a translation of your license - making it easier for the cop to write out the ticket. Exactly where you need a permit depends on whom you talk to. People who sell them say you should have them almost everywhere. People who rent cars say you need them almost nowhere (except in Spain and Italy, where you may be required to show the permit to pick up your car). People who drive rental cars say the permit is overrated (but it comes in handy as a substitute for a passport at places such as campgrounds and bike-rental shops that require some kind of photo ID as a security deposit until you pay). Police can get mad - their concern is in finding the expiration date - and fine you if you don't have an international permit. Those driving in Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Greece, and Eastern Europe are likely to be fined if found without an international driving permit, and should get one (at your local American Automobile Association or Canadian Automobile Association office - $15 plus the cost of two passport-type photos). You must carry your American or Canadian driver's license as well as your international permit." I have been to Europe (England, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Austria) and driven rental cars without an International Driver's License. Never any problem, even when involved in an auto accident in Germany. However, it sounds like it might be a good idea to get the international driving permit. Have a great trip. Joe in Texas |
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International Driver's License
"singlemalt" wrote in message
m... How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. Here is another site with some more info. http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/...ing-permit.htm Joe in Texas |
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International Driver's License
singlemalt wrote:
How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. An International Drivers Licence isn't really a drivers license. It is just a translation of your licence and class. I had one the first time I rented a car there, but I was not asked for it. I was asked only for my regular Ontario licence. |
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International Driver's License
You don't need one. You can drive on your US driver's license. I am
assuming you live in the US? Mike Hagley "singlemalt" wrote in message m... How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. |
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International Driver's License
Am Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:09:39 -0400 schrieb Dave Smith:
singlemalt wrote: How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. An International Drivers Licence isn't really a drivers license. It is just a translation of your licence and class. Exactly. And once your local licence is written in english it should be not problem to use you local licence only, as police-men or car-rental-staff can read it. An international licence is a good idea when your local licence is in a language that is not understood in the country you travel. Regards, Frank |
#9
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International Driver's License
"singlemalt" wrote in message m... How essential is it that we have this license to drive around France. We have made several trips to Europe before and rented a car and never did get one. I feel, this time, like I might be pushing my luck. Any comments, opinions welcome. Thanks, J. For trips of less than 90 days, you can drive in France on a valid US driving licence. An international driving permit, or other translation of your licence, is recommended, but not required. Personally, were my licence not already translated - it is an EU licence - I would carry a translation. It is cheap and it would be foolish to assume that a French police traffic officer is going to be able to read English. While the chances are that you won't need the translation, if you do get stopped for any reason, not having one could cause needless delays. Colin Bignell |
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International Driver's License
"Frank Hucklenbroich" wrote in message ... .... Exactly. And once your local licence is written in english it should be not problem to use you local licence only, as police-men or car-rental-staff can read it.... In France? The car rental staff, yes. Police, probably not, unless you are in a tourist area. Even in Paris, when I had to report a theft, there was no one in the Police station who spoke English (or spoke it well enough to admit it), which rather tested my French. Colin Bignell |
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