For my upcoming trip to Italy this summer, I decided to get an International Driver’s Permit. I’ve read mixed reports on whether you need one or not (you definitely don’t need one to rent a car), but purportedly if you get pulled over and the Italian Police ask for it, you could receive a hefty fine of up to a couple hundred Euros. Even when I heard that, I wasn’t going to get the permit, but then I found out it only costs $15 at AAA. Thus, I decided I’d rather be a sucker who pays $15 than a sucker who pays 300 Euro. Also, since we’re traveling to Italy with Baby M, I’d rather not deal with the stress. Anyway, getting the permit was pretty straightforward, here’s how:
Getting an International Driver’s Permit
Basically, you only need four things to get your international driver’s permit.
1) A valid driver’s license
2) International Driver’s Permit application, which can be found here: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
3) Two passport sized ID photos
4) $15
After you fill out the application, take the other three items to your nearest AAA branch and say you would like an International Driver’s Permit. As I’ve done in the past, I just printed my passport photos at CVS. I took baby M to my local AAA since I’m on full time baby duty right now, fully expecting to need to entertain her for at least half an hour. AAA was empty though, and somebody helped me immediately. After confirming my information, she filled out the permit and I was out of there in five minutes. It was all much less painful and much less hassle than I had been expecting.
For my upcoming trip to Italy this summer, I decided to get an International Driver’s Permit. I’ve read mixed reports on whether you need one or not (you definitely don’t need one to rent a car), but purportedly if you get pulled over and the Italian Police ask for it, you could receive a hefty fine of up to a couple hundred Euros. Even when I heard that, I wasn’t going to get the permit, but then I found out it only costs $15 at AAA. Thus, I decided I’d rather be a sucker who pays $15 than a sucker who pays 300 Euro. Also, since we’re traveling to Italy with Baby M, I’d rather not deal with the stress. Anyway, getting the permit was pretty straightforward, here’s how:
Getting an International Driver’s Permit
Basically, you only need four things to get your international driver’s permit.
1) A valid driver’s license
2) International Driver’s Permit application, which can be found here: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html
3) Two passport sized ID photos
4) $15
After you fill out the application, take the other three items to your nearest AAA branch and say you would like an International Driver’s Permit. As I’ve done in the past, I just printed my passport photos at CVS. I took baby M to my local AAA since I’m on full time baby duty right now, fully expecting to need to entertain her for at least half an hour. AAA was empty though, and somebody helped me immediately. After confirming my information, she filled out the permit and I was out of there in five minutes. It was all much less painful and much less hassle than I had been expecting.
Do I Need an International Driver’s Permit?
Technically, I think you need one, but in reality, I’m pretty sure you can get away without having one. I certainly have never had any trouble. I’ve rented cars multiple times overseas, but no rental company has ever asked for it.
Like I said in the beginning of the post, I just got the permit this time for peace of mind. One could be subject to hefty fines if pulled over without one in Italy. Then again, I rarely speed so I rarely get pulled over. But, in foreign countries with signs in languages I can’t read, I’m guessing I’ll make a wrong turn here or there. Having the permit just eases my stress level a little bit.
I think most people don’t get international driver’s permits, and I totally get that. I think of it more as an insurance policy – $15 isn’t too much of a hit these days, I can just skip going out to lunch once. Anyway, this was my experience, and I’ll let you know if I get pulled over after the trip’s done! Hopefully not…
Tim says
Good post. And good call getting the IDL. I, too, felt like a sucker the first time I got the IDL and made it through a week in Italy without being asked for it. However, on our second trip, I took the IDL only because it had not yet expired, and I was lucky I did. I was pulled over for a random check twice, and I’ve been pulled over each trip since then. Again, not for a moving violation, but just a spot check. For security reasons (and, perhaps, for balancing budgets?), the polizia flag down rental cars at random and check each passenger for proper documentation. (Rental cars are much more clearly identifiable in Italy than they are here.) Each time, I was asked to produce the IDL, and one officer told me that if the driver does not have one, the fine is over 200 euro.
Enjoy your trip!