Today's Washington Post Travel Section (1/23/05) has a column dealing with "new requirements" to have car rental companies ask for an IDP before renting a car in Italy.
Colleen, you're right and Jim, Thank You! Somehow this needs to be clearly presented to board members due to so many past discussions where there has been ambugity on this topic. I would hope that AE and other agencies are telling people this; however, we were not told of the law for our October rental. We had one--always do--but many don't--particularly those who do not live around an AAA office.
Thanks for the heads-up. There are dozens of sites offering these permits at various prices. Any way to know which is valid? They go from $25-60 per year and anywhere from 1 to 10 years, with a booklet and/or card format.
Jane, I don't think there has been ambiguity on this topic on Slow Travel. You are thinking of the AOL boards where this seems to be a common discussion/arguement. Howard from the AOL boards convinced me years ago when he quoted the Italian law stating that you need an IDL for Italy and we have always stated this when the topic comes up here.
We say in many places on the site that you need an IDL for Italy.
We have an FAQ thread about car rentals where we talk about needing an IDL: FAQ THREAD
The only ambiguity seems to be that I have called it an IDL (International Drivers License) when perhaps it is an IDP (International Drivers Permit)? I will have to check mine when I get home.
Okay, I thought of another place to put this information. If you use the SlowTrav clickthru to book thru AutoEurope, the "thank you" page now reminds you to get your IDL!!
quote:Thank you for supporting the Slow Travel web site! If you have any questions, visit us on our message board.
Don't forget to get your International Drivers License if you will be driving in Italy (it is required by law). You can get it at your local AAA office.
quote:Originally posted by Pauline: We say in many places on the site that you need an IDL for Italy. *** The only ambiguity seems to be that I have called it an IDL (International Drivers License) when perhaps it is an IDP (International Drivers Permit)? I will have to check mine when I get home.
The WaPo article differentiates between an IDL and an IDP. An IDP is what you need to rent a car. This is only $10 with 2 passport type photos at any AAA office and is good for one year. NOT an IDL that costs more. This October Avis in L'Aquila did NOT ask that I show the IDP, but I had one. You should too. All an IDP is, is an official translation of you driver's license.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: avvocato,
Posts: 662 | Location: Palmyra, NJ, USA | Registered: 29 July 2003
Pauline, Just so you know...when I click through to AutoEurope, no thank you page comes up. I wonder whether that is because I have a pop-up blocker. More important, after clicking through and getting a price, I did quite a bit of haggling with them to get them to beat Nova rental's price. The haggling happened via email and phone. In the end I am not at all convinced that my $700-plus purchase is going to register as a Slow Travel sale. For future purposes, I wonder whether there is a protocol we buyers can follow...
Most of the companies that sell the IDL are not valid so buyer beware.
As for the IDP, nice to have the Post reiterating what I have been saying for years I have the laws aboout this and their translations on my site http://www.expatsinitaly.com/driving/idp.htm
In Canadathere is only one real, legal IDP. It is issued by the CAA and costs a mere 15$, and is valid for 1 year. All you need is a photo and a regular drivers license. It is very easy. You can fill out the form, and apply in person or by mail. here is the information I would think that in the states, the AAA issues the IDP, but couldn't find that info to post here.
What really annoys me about the IDP is the fact that it is only good for one year. My US license is good for 4 years before I have to renew it. Other than having to pay the fee for a new IDP each year, I can't think of any reason for the yearly renewal requirement.
Thanks for the update, Jim. Another driving tip is to be sure your headlights are always on, day or night. That became law in the last year or so, I believe. And I did get stopped for that. Wasn't ticketed, just warned. ciao, Cheryl
For individuals not living near AAA they can log onto www.itseasypassport.com. They provide services including obtaining IDPs from AAA. There are fees involved but if getting to the AAA office is a problem, this solves it. I used it several months ago and found the service fast and efficient. They are located in the Big Applie
Actually--according to the AAA web site--they will process the International Drivers Permit by mail with no additional service fee. If you prefer to secure your International Driving Permit through the mail, enclose your completed application form, two passport-size photos (both signed on the back by the applicant), a $10 permit fee and a photocopy of your driver's license and mail them to the full service AAA office nearest you.
Since I need a new permit for my May trip, I will try it out and report back.
According to AAA, it is called an "International Driving Permit". I changed all the pages on the website to call it this and used IDP (instead of IDL). (Thanks for reminding me to do this Jim!)
I'm was going to reserve a car soon for our May trip from Venice to the lakes to CT, do we need an International Driver's permit before I make the reservation, that doesn't seem like it would be right to get the permit this far ahead of time. Is AutoEurope recommended over Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europe by Car. I was going to call all of them for quotes, should I save my time and just go with Autoerurope.
Suze, It never hurts to shop around when it comes to rentals! AutoEurope has been satisfactory for lots of folks on the board, but if you read some of the car rental threads you'll see that other agencies also have good deals. Just remember to compare the quotes to make sure the quotes for the same amenities (and insurance/deductibles).
re: Buying a driving permit now for a May trip... you can go ahead and get the permit now, but wait to enter the "valid from" date. Just be sure to write it in before you hop in the rental car in Italy.
Posts: 14515 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
I got my "International driving permit" at AAA this Summer for 10 bucks. Not one person asked to see it when I was in Italy this Summer driving about. But, it was good to have just in case. I believe the rule for this is that you must have a translation/explanation of your information available for the Country that you are visiting.
I bought my IDP today at AAA. I was also able to have the two passport size photos taken there as well; they were only $8 for the two of them. You can pick up the permit when it is convenient for you as it is not neccesarily valid for one year from the purchase date, but from whatever date you have the agent fill in as the activation date. Thanks for the tip about headlights!
Posts: 42 | Location: Baltimore | Registered: 13 September 2004
>>What really annoys me about the IDP is the fact that it is only good for one year.<<
The Washington Post Travel Section explained the rationale in a response to a letter published in the January 30, 2005 edition. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Driving Abroad
IT WAS good to warn drivers of the need for an International Driving Permit in Europe, as I have been asked to show it in Austria [Coming and Going, Jan. 23]. However, is there any chance that AAA could issue these for longer than one year? It should really have the same expiration date as a driver's license.
Karin M. Krchnak
Bethesda
Author Cindy Loose responds:
According to AAA's Justin McNaull, blame lies with the 1949 "Convention on Road Traffic." The ancient text that set up the international permit system specified that countries signing on to the convention would not be required to honor any permit for more than one year.
When I first read this topic, I honestly did not pay much attention as I had already obtained my IDP some while back. But now I am glad that I read Jim Zurer's post as my IDP will expire before I depart in April!
Posts: 46 | Location: dallas, tx usa | Registered: 09 August 2003
My husband went to AAA today to get his IDP. It was very quick, it took less than 15 min. He just provided 2 passport size photos, his valid state issue liscense the application & $10. The agent even allowed him to choose the day for it to become valid as we are not going to be in Italy until mid June.
Topic Closed
For future purposes, I wonder whether there is a protocol we buyers can follow...
I have the laws aboout this and their translations on my site 
