{"id":77163,"date":"2019-12-10T15:45:47","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T21:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=77163"},"modified":"2019-12-26T14:13:10","modified_gmt":"2019-12-26T20:13:10","slug":"do-you-really-need-an-international-drivers-permit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2019\/12\/do-you-really-need-an-international-drivers-permit\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you really need an International Driver’s Permit?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your travel fantasy involves driving along the coastline of a stunning foreign locale, check that you don\u2019t need an International<\/strong> Driver<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s<\/strong> Permit<\/strong> (<\/strong>IDP<\/strong>)<\/strong> before booking that trip\u2014because in some places, your U.S. driver\u2019s license may not be enough. Take it from me, as I made this error while on vacation in Santorini some years ago. I had looked forward to renting a motor scooter while on the island, but once in Greece, every rental company denied me my fantasy because I lacked this critical piece of identification. I had my U.S. driver\u2019s license, but not an IDP. It was a bucket list bummer. Become familiar with the IDP so that you don\u2019t make a similar mistake.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Does my pet really need a passport?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

What<\/strong> is<\/strong> an<\/strong> International<\/strong> Driver<\/strong>\u2019<\/strong>s<\/strong> Permit<\/strong> (<\/strong>IDP<\/strong>)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Often incorrectly called an \u201cinternational driver\u2019s license,\u201d the International Driver\u2019s Permit (IDP) allows you to drive a vehicle in another country, so long as you also carry a driver\u2019s license issued by your home state or nation. (The IDP, in other words, doesn\u2019t replace<\/em> a driver\u2019s license; it complements<\/em> it.) The IDP includes your name, photo and driver information translated into 10 languages and is recognized as a valid piece of identification by more than 150 countries.<\/p>\n

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Who<\/strong> needs<\/strong> it<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you plan to drive in a foreign country that requires it, you want to have this in your wallet when picking up your car. When pre-booking online on sites like Orbitz<\/a>, this is usually noted in the terms and conditions, or rules and restrictions. In some cases, it’s in the fine print and unfortunately not always obvious at the time of booking.<\/p>\n

Which<\/strong> countries<\/strong> require<\/strong> it<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Check AAA<\/a>\u00a0(and scroll to Page 2) for a full list of countries that recognize the IDP. Among them: Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Greece and Hungary. Because rules are subject to change, it\u2019s best to check with the U.S. Department of State website<\/a> or your rental car company for the latest country-specific requirements.
\nTip: If you plan to drive internationally in a non-English-speaking country, an IDP is a good idea.<\/p>\n

Is it really enforced?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While some countries that require<\/em> an IDP aren\u2019t always good about enforcing<\/em> it, it\u2019s not worth the risk. Also keep in mind: While a certain country\u2019s government may not require an IDP, car rental companies located in that country may require an IDP to rent a car. So, read that fine print when booking.<\/p>\n

ALSO:<\/strong> Earn rewards on your next trip with Orbitz Rewards\u2014it’s free to join<\/a>!<\/p>\n

What if I don\u2019t plan to drive? Do I still need one?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Even if you\u2019re not planning to drive, this form of identification is valuable. It includes your name, photo and driver information translated into 10 languages, including English, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Italian, German, Arabic, Swedish, Portuguese and French. The ID can provide an extra level of security and peace of mind should the unexpected occur and you need to communicate with foreign authorities\u2014it speaks their language, even if you don\u2019t. Plus, there\u2019s always a chance of changing your mind once in the destination. You might be inspired (or need) to rent a car, so it’s best to be prepared.<\/p>\n

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How do I get\u00a0an IDP<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You can apply for an IDP with either the American Automobile Association<\/a> (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance<\/a> (AATA). These are the only two private entities in the U.S. authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue an IDP; going through another source is likely a scam, not to mention illegal. Note: You do not need to be a member of AAA or AATA to obtain an IDP.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the application process like? How much does the IDP cost?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s easy. First, you must be at least 18 years old; be a permanent resident of the United States or America or its Territories; and hold both a valid driver\u2019s license and U.S. passport. Assuming you tick these boxes, you\u2019ll need to supply the following either by mail or in-person at your local AAA branch:<\/p>\n