International Driving Permits
Page 3.
Discuss International Driving Permits, on the Car Hire and Taxis forum of FrequentFlyer.com.au, the home of frequent flyers.
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Sort of like a taking an acceptable "Translation Dictionary" with the Drivers Licence itself?
Sort of, yes. The requirement for an IDP does vary depending on the national licence held. e.g. some countries require it if used with a non-photo driving licence, but mainly it seems to be used as an official translation document
Dave
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While I decided against getting one, that was mainly based on the countries I normally want to drive in. If that changes, then I will get one (personally I think they're a bit of a ripoff, and seeing they're only valid for a year annoying to maintain. Personally I think it should be for the length of your license.)
The card itself is worthless. It only has value when presented with your original driver's license, and even then just to give a quick reference as to what you are allowed to drive and that it's valid.
Bit of a bonanza for the Automobile Associations - quite a steep fee for a limited amount of paperwork.
Also be careful that the IDP is correctly completed! If I wasn't on the ball, the IDP would have been issued without refernce to the Motorbike endorsement on the Licence.
I was on a motorcycle when pulled over in Thailand.
Try to make it my last post on the topic. That RACV list is rubbish. As you will see most of the countries simply say recommended, in other words, not needed. No EU country requires it. I have been to Jamaica and Barbados (not on the list) they used to require you to attend a police station with your proper license and passport and get a visitor driver permit issued for a fee, though now in Barbados the rental companies can do it for you on the spot, Jamaica no longer requires it at all. I have driven in eastern europe and been pulled over, they couldn't give a toss in CZ about an IDP, just wanted to see my passport, which was in my hotel so they just looked at the drivers license and sent me on my way. The issuing authority for an IDP is an auto club, which has no authority
All I can say is I am glad that I had a (correctly completed) IDP on me.
From what I've heard the Thai jails are overflowing with about:
- 99.00% local criminals
- 0.99% western paedophiles
- 0.01% westerners that didn't bother to take (or check) their IDP's
Not somewhere I want to spend even a few hours, whilst the authorities make some phone calls to another time zone to check on my licence.
Try to make it my last post on the topic. That RACV list is rubbish. As you will see most of the countries simply say recommended, in other words, not needed.
The issuing authority for an IDP is an auto club, which has no authority
There are some countries which DO require it, but not a lot.
The fact that the automobile club is authorised to issue it does not detract from its requirement in some places nor detract from it's validity since they have been given the authority to issue it
Dave
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Thanks for the compliment. I would like to know who you called.
The Officer-In-Charge of Penrith Highway Patrol (rank, Senior Sergeant) and the duty officer at the Surry Hills LAC, NSW Police (rank Chief Inspector, and has HWP experience.
Both of these I was able to access via the internal telephone system.
You miss the point of what I was saying - the IDP doesn't entitle you to drive, your licence does. The IDP merely translates the details of your licence into a format which is common throughout the world and can be easily understood by police agencies around the world.
All I can say is I am glad that I had a (correctly completed) IDP on me.
From what I've heard the Thai jails are overflowing with about:
- 99.00% local criminals
- 0.99% western paedophiles
- 0.01% westerners that didn't bother to take (or check) their IDP's
Not sure where you got that info from but I rely on the following info for driving a car in Thailand:
Hertz
Driver must have at least one year of driving experience at the time of rental and possess a current international driving licence or a current national driving licence which is translated into English. If the local driving licence is not in English, then an international driving licence has to be presented.
Budget
All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license. The license may either be Thai, or from a renter's country of residence (with an English translation) or an international drivers permit. Licenses (and a valid passport) must be carried at all times when driving.
Avis
Renter must hold Driving License or International Driving License at least one year.
Hence, an International Driving Permit is optional for Australian License holders because our license is in English anyway.
Not sure where you got that info from but I rely on the following info for driving a car in Thailand:
Hertz
Driver must have at least one year of driving experience at the time of rental and possess a current international driving licence or a current national driving licence which is translated into English. If the local driving licence is not in English, then an international driving licence has to be presented.
Budget
All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license. The license may either be Thai, or from a renter's country of residence (with an English translation) or an international drivers permit. Licenses (and a valid passport) must be carried at all times when driving.
Avis
Renter must hold Driving License or International Driving License at least one year.
Hence, an International Driving Permit is optional for Australian License holders because our license is in English anyway.
The more sensible alternative IMHO is not to drive in Thailand. But hey...
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Re: International Driving Permits
Quote:
Originally Posted by mileagemax
Not sure where you got that info from but I rely on the following info for driving a car in Thailand:
What Hertz, Avis et.al will accept, and what is required by a police officer who is aiming their gun at you are possibly different!
My view is that if the RACV/NRMA et.al say that an IDP is compulsory, then you need to get one. Another option is to check with the licensing/road rules department of the country(or county) concerned.
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