[bravoecho1]

Driving through Oman and the UAE earlier this year my drivers license and IDP we asked for a number of times.

They knew what to ask for and knew what they were looking at. Previous driving experience there has shown me that with a IDP the enquiries last less than 2 minutes. Without an IDP the enquiries can last up to an hour while they verify your details.

Coming through the Oman-UAE border into Al Ain at 9pm at night, I know that i'd rather the hassle of organising an IDP and be checked into my hotel within 20 minutes than be on the side of the road waiting for them to do their checks for an hour.

[Robert Barlow]

Originally Posted by Mal

Hmmm.

Interesting arguements for and against getting one. Thanks

It's only $25 or so, so not really that expensive in the scheme of things. Just inconvenient to get the passport photos done and head to my nearest RACQ.

I think I'll keep risking it for a little bit longer. Maybe if I get put in a cell for a couple of hours while they do checks on my background and license, my need to get one will increase (either that, or the need to drive in a "no-english" speaking country might also help me with that decision!)

I paid $55 for one from the NRMA and then found that in the LOTFAP (Hawaii) only needed NSW Driver's Licence. The IDP was only current for 6 months which is a bit rich. I have heard that in some countries that you must have an IDP in order to drive, but certainly not in the LOTFAP

[NM]

Originally Posted by Robert Barlow

I paid $55 for one from the NRMA and then found that in the LOTFAP (Hawaii) only needed NSW Driver's Licence. The IDP was only current for 6 months which is a bit rich. I have heard that in some countries that you must have an IDP in order to drive, but certainly not in the LOTFAP

Wow, that's a rip-off. I last paid $15 for 12 months from RACQ. Plus of course the cost of the passport-size photo.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Robert Barlow

I paid $55 for one from the NRMA and then found that in the LOTFAP (Hawaii) only needed NSW Driver's Licence. The IDP was only current for 6 months which is a bit rich. I have heard that in some countries that you must have an IDP in order to drive, but certainly not in the LOTFAP

Ouch!

I presume your license expires in 6 months hence the reduced validity?

I believe the NRMA charges the most out of all motoring organisations in Australia. I thought it was $50 for non-members, but perhaps you paid a postage fee as well. IIRC, WA's motoring organisation had the cheapest followed by the RACQ (Qld). Was a while ago when I looked, and believe you can post an application to whoever you want for them to process in Australia.

[Mal]

I decided to check and post the costs from the various Australia AA Clubs.

Here are my findings cheapest to dearest (for the same piece of paper!!)

SA (RAA) $15 +postage if required ($1 normal post, $4 express post, $3.50 registered mail)
NT (AANT) $15 +postage if required ($1.50 normal post, $4 registered post)
TAS (RACT) $20 +postage if required ($1.50 normal post, $4.50 registered post)
QLD (RACQ) $20 +postage if required ($3.50 Registered post.
WA (RAC) $22.50 +postage if required ($1 normal post, $3.50 registered post)
VIC (RACV) $28.80 +postage if required ($0.50 normal post, $2.80 Registered post)
NSW (NRMA) $50 (non-member), $25 (member), +postage if required ($5)


(Postage overseas also increases the postage amount)


(also note that errors and ommisions are accidental. prices were the ones advertised on the respective websites tonight )

[NM]

Originally Posted by Mal

QLD (RACQ) $20 +postage if required ($3.50 Registered post.

Looks like the RACQ price has increased. My first one only cost me $10 and my last one was $15. But that was about 18 months ago (the agent forgot to put the date on the front ).

But since my DL is up for renewal next month I guess it will be time to get another. I prefer to have one with me just in case, and to reduce any future arguments with Maryland cops. That might an argument I could win, but its not worth the time and hassles along the way. I just include the cost with my travel expense claim and the company pays.

By the way, I once forgot to claim from my employer and still had the receipts etc, so I included it on my tax return as a "business expense" since I only travelled for business during the time the IDP was valid. I received a letter from the ATO saying that the expense was not a valid business expense and I should not include it in future tax returns (they did not adjust my refund amount). So I am now diligent to claim back from my employer via my travel expense claim process.

[Robert Barlow]

Originally Posted by Mal

Ouch!

I presume your license expires in 6 months hence the reduced validity?

I believe the NRMA charges the most out of all motoring organisations in Australia. I thought it was $50 for non-members, but perhaps you paid a postage fee as well. IIRC, WA's motoring organisation had the cheapest followed by the RACQ (Qld). Was a while ago when I looked, and believe you can post an application to whoever you want for them to process in Australia.

No - I renewed my NSW Gold licence in Feb '05 for 5 years. Perhaps I got charged a lot because my wife is the registered owner of both our vehicles and the NRMA membership is in her name. This is a bone of contention with me. The vehicles should be the member and all regular users should have cards for road service etc.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Robert Barlow

No - I renewed my NSW Gold licence in Feb '05 for 5 years. Perhaps I got charged a lot because my wife is the registered owner of both our vehicles and the NRMA membership is in her name. This is a bone of contention with me. The vehicles should be the member and all regular users should have cards for road service etc.

I would be asking the NRMA to explain the reduced validity. I think they issued your IDP incorrectly.

From their website:
Int. Driving Permit - Travel - MyNRMA

"How long is an IDP valid?

Twelve months from its date of issue, unless your Australian driver's/rider's licence expires beforehand."

[AlphaVictor]

I renew my IDP every 12 months - just in case.

Apart from driving I now use it as my main form of I.D overseas if required. The passport stays in the safe in the hotel and I use the IDP in it's place (they say it's a UN sanctioned document so it probably would'nt mean anything in the US).

If I carry travellers cheques - then I use the IDP to prove who I am and here's one that is happening more and more......3 weeks ago in Frankfurt at H & M and a week later in Madrid I was asked for photo ID when I was using my Amex - just pulled out the IDP and that was fine.

Photo ID is being asked for more and more when making credit card purchases - notably in Europe and I don't want to have to carry my passport around all day.

P.S in 2005, a good mate was denied a rental car in Austria because he had no IDP - went to another rental company and got one - there is inconsistancy in the rules.

Rule of thumb - if English is not the main language of the country - get one

[Reggie]

Originally Posted by AlphaVictor

Rule of thumb - if English is not the main language of the country - get one

Well that means I'll have to get one for driving in NZ, they speak englush.