Airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, RR: 2 Posted (3 years 19 hours ago) and read 1285 times:
Have a question about IDP's (International Driving Permits):
Planning on renting a car in Portugal come August, but have a valid US Driver's License. Do I need to have an IDP, or would it just be good practice to have one?
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 1, posted (3 years 19 hours ago) and read 1249 times:
No, I don't think you need one. An IDP doesn't permit you to do anything more than your current US licence does while driving in a foreign country. All it is, is a translation booklet that shows what kind of licence and restrictions you may have into various languages and are not required to have.
Not sure about driving in Portugal with a US licence, but I'm assuming its pretty well the same with driving in the rest of Europe with a Canadian licence which you can do for 6 months.
I used to get one but then I realized it was just a waste of $25.
474218 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 6340 posts, RR: 10 Reply 2, posted (3 years 19 hours ago) and read 1239 times:
Quoting Airportugal310 (Thread starter): Planning on renting a car in Portugal come August, but have a valid US Driver's License. Do I need to have an IDP, or would it just be good practice to have one?
They are not required. However, they are cheap and can be obtained from the AAA in just a few minutes. I got one before I moved to the UK, at the recommendation of my company, in the two years I was there never took of my briefcase,
LAXintl From United States of America, joined exactly 13 years ago today! , 22059 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (3 years 19 hours ago) and read 1216 times:
The IDP is resultant from United Nations agreement and can be helpful to have one especially if you are stopped and the local police that don't believe or understand your license, or if you need a form of ID that is more easily recognized. (for example I've used one when purchasing a local telephone SIM card and did not have my passport on me)
As someone stated they are easy to get, simply drop by your local AAA.
Airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 years 19 hours ago) and read 1203 times:
Thanks for answers folks.
I will probably just end up getting one for piece of mind...I can speak the language fluently but I don't particulatly want to be blindslided by anything while I am there
CPH-R From Denmark, joined May 2001, 5746 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (3 years 18 hours ago) and read 1182 times:
Keep in mind there's a couple of frauds and scams going around, involving companies that 'offer to help you' obtain an IDP, charging some ludicrous fees in the process.
As already said, getting it through the AAA is the right way to go
Airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (3 years 18 hours ago) and read 1167 times:
Quoting Aesma (Reply 8): Also, keep in mind most rental cars are stick shift in Europe.
Won't be an issue...I actually bothered to learn to drive one
Actually, funny (or stupid?)...I bought a 2008 Nissan Sentra 6-sp manual back 2 years ago. I didnt know how to drive it, so my dad drove it home from the dealership for me . Well, I had no choice but to learn to drive it THAT night because I had to go to work the next morning (near Boston!) in it.
In less than 24hrs, I learned to stop on a hill, accelerate on a hill without rolling into the car behind me, and drive in highway traffic . If thats not learning the hard way, I dont know what is.
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 10, posted (3 years 18 hours ago) and read 1158 times:
Quoting Aesma (Reply 8): The IDP is if you plan to stay a while, I think. Not for vacation.
Although an IDP itself is "valid" for 1 year, it does not extend any driving privillages a foreigner may have in a different country.
The IDP is nothing more than a translation booklet showing your licence privllages/restrictions. Its just meant to make renting a car or traffic checks easier and quicker.
Quoting Aesma (Reply 8): Also, keep in mind most rental cars are stick shift in Europe.
SOBHI51 From Saudi Arabia, joined Jun 2003, 3022 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (3 years 17 hours ago) and read 1117 times:
I used my Saudi license to rent a car in the USA, did have an IDP with me but the agents on several occasions refused it and accepted the Saudi one. BTW all information on Saudi DL are in Arabic and English
I am against any terrorist acts committed under the name of Islam
ACDC8 From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, RR: 40 Reply 12, posted (3 years 17 hours ago) and read 1116 times:
When I moved to Germany, I bought and insured my car there without an IDP ... just used my Canadian licence and a fax from ICBC to prove that I have had insured cars in Canada.
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From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3070 posts, 
From Canada, joined Mar 2005, 7598 posts, 
, 22059 posts, 
From Denmark, joined May 2001, 5746 posts, 
From France, joined Nov 2009, 4792 posts, 
. Well, I had no choice but to learn to drive it THAT night because I had to go to work the next morning (near Boston!) in it. 
. If thats not learning the hard way, I dont know what is.
From Saudi Arabia, joined Jun 2003, 3022 posts, 
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