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kevin_on_putnam · February 2006

Has anyone here rented a car in Spain. My wife and I have gotten conflicting advice about an international driving permit. Some people say you need it and some say you don't. We're going there on vacation in April and I don't want to bother getting one if I don't have to.
Thanks everyone!

anonymous · February 2006

Subject: car rental in spain

When i was living there as a university student we rented cars all the time for weekend trips etc. You don't need an internation drivers license but the car rental will probably cost you more than it would a Spaniard.

pitu · March 2006

in Portugal, the US driver's license was enough . . . but my g'friend had an international one just in case.
can't you check the consulate's website?

[man, I want to go to Spain.]

kevin_on_putnam · March 2006

Thanks for your replies, the consulate refers you to a travel site and they're sort of ambigous about whether you need an International Driving Permit, but, I guess I'll get one just in case, pain in the .....

anonymous · March 2006

Subject: car rental

I really don't think you have to bother. I was just in Italy last October and we rented a car no problem. Just imagine all the tourists that travel to Europe and rent cars, I highly doubt each one has an international drivers license.

ben · March 2006

I always wondered what was up with these, I've rented cars in Europe and never had one.

I found this online: http://www.idl-international.com/idl-qa.htm

It states that an International Drivers License is simply a translation guide so if you do get pulled over the cop can figure out what your US driver's license says.

Sounds like purely a nice to have to me, I don't think you're going to get into any trouble if you have to help the guy translate the info on your license.

kevin_on_putnam · March 2006

Ben wrote: I always wondered what was up with these, I've rented cars in Europe and never had one.

I found this online: http://www.idl-international.com/idl-qa.htm

It states that an International Drivers License is simply a translation guide so if you do get pulled over the cop can figure out what your US driver's license says.

Sounds like purely a nice to have to me, I don't think you're going to get into any trouble if you have to help the guy translate the info on your license.

Yes I agree, I think that any rental agency will rent you a car without a International Drivers Permit, but if you get pulled over (considering the way I drive, a real possibility) , especially in rural areas, it would be good to have one. We both got ours yesterday at AAA on Broadway, it was painless and quick so we're covered. Thanks for everyone's opinion!

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