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International Drivers License -- Do you really need one?



 
 
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  #1  
Old February 21st, 2007, 09:01 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default 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


  #2  
Old February 21st, 2007, 09:06 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
PeterL
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,471
Default 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




  #4  
Old February 21st, 2007, 10:43 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
Gerald Oliver Swift
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 432
Default 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
  #5  
Old February 21st, 2007, 10:48 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default 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
  #6  
Old February 21st, 2007, 10:56 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default 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
  #8  
Old February 22nd, 2007, 12:03 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
Deeply Filled Mortician
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,247
Default 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
---
--
  #9  
Old February 22nd, 2007, 12:17 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 19
Default 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
  #10  
Old February 22nd, 2007, 12:40 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
Deeply Filled Mortician
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,247
Default 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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