Just wondering how many of you get an international drivers license. I've heard arguments both ways, but am still confused! We will be driving for 19 days in June, in Italy only. Maybe just one of us should get one? Any ideas appreciated. Elizabeth

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Just do it. Don't get caught in an accident with a driver without one. It is according to the law, driving without a license. It's easy, it's cheap and it lasts a year...that would be like 4 trips for you, right?

Anyone who will be driving needs an IDL. It is the law in Italy - not in the rest of Europe. The IDL is a translation of your driver's license. You can get one at you AAA - not expensive - and it lasts for a year.

We always have one for each of us on our trips and have never had to show it. You do not need it to rent a car, but need it if you are stopped by the police.

This is an ongoing argument on the AOL boards - but the answer is that legally you need one, most likely you will not be stopped and will never have to show it - but get one.

Hi Elizabeth- Yes, you do need an IDL for Italy. It is legally required. Its never asked for when you rent a car; but it might be asked for if you get pulled over by the police. Here is where the subject has been discussed on the Message Board, and also look at Pauline's Driving in Italy page.

LOL- I see Pauline and Judith are posting responses to this at the same time I am!

Elizabeth -- as the others recommended, 'just do it.' Will take only a few minutes at the AAA office on South Lamar. You will only ever be asked to show the IDL if you have an accident or are stopped for a traffic infraction.

I have always kept my california driver's licence..and always gotten my International renewed every trip I go home.

But one year I didn't go home and was stopped by the Police, they do random checks as in California. I pulled out my driver's licence and my passport. I was not thrown in jail....but who wants to risk it for $10!!!

My God. What a relief to not have to read the ENDLESS bickering (a la AOL) over a cheap IDP! ... "Well, since I don't need one to rent the car, why should I get one to drive the car?" EEEEEKK!! Thank you thank you thank you!

I agree - those AOL arguments about this are endless - and pointless. Howard (an Italy expert) always posts the actual legal code for Italy which says you have to have an IDL - and that is good enough for me. When one of those Carabiniere leans into my car with his machine gun across his chest (and it seems to point right at the face of the driver), I want to be able to hand him the correct papers!

Well, after reading all your input we're BOTH going to get the licenses this week. Having an accident or just being pulled over would be awful enough without worrying about having the right papers. Thanks for convincing me! Elizabeth

Last September my wife and I were in our rental car, meandering along a country road near Impruneta, when we drove right into a police check point. The officer wanted to see my drivers license and asked for additional papers stored in the glove box of the car. I handed him my NY DL and the other papers he wanted. He took them to his car for about five minutes then returned, handed them back, said "tutto a posto" and waved me on. I've never bothered with an IDL -- now, reading this thread, I feel especially lucky to have avoided a ticket during our little brush with the Italian law.

Yes, I have heard from others that the Italy police do not always ask for the IDL - but sometimes they do. Most likely you will never use your IDL - it is a "just in case" kind of thing.

Wow, it never dawned on me of getting an international driver's license. I always thought that showing another country's license would be good enough. Like when tourist come here they would just flash their country driver's license at the bars, police or whatever else requires proof of identification. Good lesson for me! Thanks guys!