International Driving Permit - USA

heatherw_01

I've hired a car in the USA MANY times and never been asked for this

Gloomendoom

peachyprice wrote: »

There is no such thing as a UK International licence
I've always taken an IDP when hiring in UAE. It's the only place I've ever used one.

You used to need them with the old UK paper driving licences in non-English speaking countries.

I haven't used one in years.

stevie11

peachyprice wrote: »

There is no such thing as a UK International licence
I've always taken an IDP when hiring in UAE. It's the only place I've ever used one.

Just what I thought;)

Re UAE, since arriving home I have raised a complaint with the rental agency who have advised that an IDP was not required in UAE. Just makes my case more frustrating that my pre-booked rental with Budget denied me rental yet I went to the Hertz office next door and they accepted my 30 year old paper licence no problem.:(

Chaufeurse1956

stevie11 wrote: »

Do you mean a standard UK licence or is there a UK international licence?

I totally agree with everything you say but the topic of IDP is quite interesting to me at present due to the fact I was denied a car in the UAE recently after pre-booking with a UK based car rental agency. On arrival the rental company would not accept my 30 year old paper licence, maybe if I had an IDP it would have saved me a lot of inconvenience and stress;)

Hi Steve - a UK driving licence is an international driving licence in that it allows you to drive whilst overseas.

I'm referring to an IDP being US superfluous, I haven't research re the UAE as we don't travel there but it does appear certain UAE areas may require an IDP should an official need to translate your English dl. Whilst US car hire suppliers accept the older style UK paper dl with passport for ID purposes I don't know if that applies in the UAE.

stevie11

Chaufeurse1956 wrote: »

Hi Steve - a UK driving licence is an international driving licence in that it allows you to drive whilst overseas.

I'm referring to an IDP being US superfluous, I haven't research re the UAE as we don't travel there but it does appear certain UAE areas may require an IDP should an official need to translate your English dl. Whilst US car hire suppliers accept the older style UK paper dl with passport for ID purposes I don't know if that applies in the UAE.

Thanks Chaufeurse1956, I know what you mean.:) Refer to previous post on the UAE situation.

Chaufeurse1956

stevie11 wrote: »

Thanks Chaufeurse1956, I know what you mean.:) Refer to previous post on the UAE situation.

Saw your post after I'd replied Steve. That's utterly ridiculous that Budget refused and Herts didn't, talk about left hand/right hand!

Apologies, my shortened sentence of 'a UK international driving licence' confused some. My meaning; a full, not provisional, UK driving licence can be used when hiring a car internationally.

WAYT

Chaufeurse1956 wrote: »

IDP is not necessary for the USA, the PO and AA information is incorrect. When Gov Rick Scott set this Bill away Jan 2013 it was discovered it contravened the Geneva Convention, he very quickly rescinded within weeks, it was a huge faux pas on Scott's part. I was in the US during the process, Scott was left rather red faced.

An IDP is purely a document that translate a non-English driving licence into English. Again somebody is pedalling rubbish about car hire suppliers, if one looks into their T&Cs you will discover that most, if not all, state an IDP is not necessary, and as most car suppliers self insure they have no interest in IDP or that other chestnut, a DVLA code. We own a vehicle in SW Fl, our car insurance have no interest whatsoever in an IDP, their response was, 'what the heck is that?'. A UK international driving licence and passport is sufficient for any information a car insurance company requires.

There's copious amounts of information regarding this faux pas on the internet. We're Fl long stay visitors year on year and thoroughly researched, don't take my word for it, search for yourself, likely you'll discover the majority of sites claiming a Brit, holding an English driving licence, require IDP are the ones selling it.

No, it is not. The problem is that you do not appear to be able to comprehend what you are reading.
It does not stated required. It states recommended and it also suggests that you check with your car hire/Insurance to be sure that it is not in their T&C.
You also claimed that the PO charged £9. That information was wrong.

So it is understood that it is not required for driving in the USA.

I get your point, but don't overstate your case.

Chaufeurse1956

WAYT wrote: »

No, it is not. The problem is that you do not appear to be able to comprehend what you are reading.
It does not stated required. It states recommended and it also suggests that you check with your car hire/Insurance to be sure that it is not in their T&C.
You also claimed that the PO charged £9. That information was wrong.

So it is understood that it is not required for driving in the USA.

I get your point, but don't overstate your case.

I comprehend well enough. As for overstating my case, you didn't really expect no replies to your copy and pasting a 'recommended' sales pitch from companies selling IDP that instills concern for less informed travellers. Per acquaintance given the £9 PO quote, I'm aware it's incorrect, it required no further clarification in my post.

WAYT

Chaufeurse1956 wrote: »

I comprehend well enough. As for overstating my case, you didn't really expect no replies to your copy and pasting a 'recommended' sales pitch from companies selling IDP that instills concern for less informed travellers. Per acquaintance given the £9 PO quote, I'm aware it's incorrect, it required no further clarification in my post.

Sales pitch? You need to get that paranoia seen to.

If you are aware that the £9 that you quoted was incorrect, why did you not edit your post to show the correct figure?

That's my point, that you are willing to exaggerate and to mislead. That what I call overstating your case.

benjus

Chaufeurse1956 wrote: »

Again somebody is pedalling rubbish

The word you're looking for is "peddling". "Pedalling" is what you do on a bicycle. Sorry to be pedantic, but you seem to like that word so you might as well spell it properly.