How long does an International Drivers Licence last?

[mella2007]

Just going through travel stuff for Europe and just curious as to how long an international drivers licence lasts? Looked right through it and can't find an expiry date or explanation anywhere. It was issued last year in April

 

[dot]

One year - I used to get them every year, but it was such a PITA remembering to go to the RACV every January that I gave up on them years ago - I've never been asked to present it in any country where I have driven (incl UK, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, USA).

 

[flyingfan]

The permit is valid for one year - as per the statement on the inside front cover:

"This permit is valid in all of the following Countries, with the exception of Australia, and entitles the holder to drive vehicles included in the category or categories nominated on the last page of the permit, for a period of one year..."

It also says it under the 'Important' note. Unless it's been updated since I got mine.

 

[mella2007]

The permit is valid for one year - as per the statement on the inside front cover:

"This permit is valid in all of the following Countries, with the exception of Australia, and entitles the holder to drive vehicles included in the category or categories nominated on the last page of the permit, for a period of one year..."

It also says it under the 'Important' note. Unless it's been updated since I got mine.

Thanks....I missed that section...no idea how! Time to throw it out!

 

[here2go]

It is a translation. DFAT has a guide on which countries you need it. That said, I got it for Germany, which is listed by DFAT, and the hire car company in DE said they haven't needed them for years.

 

[opusman]

I've never been asked for one, including in non-English speaking countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Argentina, Czech Republic, Denmark and several others.
They're a scam perpetuated by the various motoring associations if you ask me!

 

[hummel]

I got one on advice from family when we went to Europe in July.

Hired scooter in Paris, car in Switzerland and even a Porsche in Germany... No questions at all... Which was good as I somehow managed to drop it into the toilet between Paris and London at around 300kph

 

[Isochronous]

How can they tell if it is expired - mine from RACV has no issue or expiry date on it

 

[mella2007]

How can they tell if it is expired - mine from RACV has no issue or expiry date on it

Yep so is ours thats why I wasn't sure. If you look on the inside left and flip it around, the top paragraph says it lasts a year from the issue date (which is on the front).

 

[steph_vz]

Yep so is ours thats why I wasn't sure. If you look on the inside left and flip it around, the top paragraph says it lasts a year from the issue date (which is on the front).

Same - my husband has one from 2007 and still takes it with him OS. He's never used it though - just likes to say he has one. I know that it is required in Japan, but not for Argentina.

 

[here2go]

Do a search for the countries you are visiting here - it should tell you.

Search Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service

 

[sirjeff]

They are definitely required in Thailand. You may never get asked but if you are you better have one or a Thai license. "Tea money" may be required if it is simply a license check but if it is an accident insurance issues could arise.

 

[paulkaz]

They are definitely required in Thailand. You may never get asked but if you are you better have one or a Thai license. "Tea money" may be required if it is simply a license check but if it is an accident insurance issues could arise.

The same applies inBali!

 

[Hvr]

I find they last about half as long as they are valid. Very poor quality cough.

 

[Scout]

Got an IDP when I lived in the UK for two years. Never bothered since and have driven in the UK again, Ireland, France, USA. Even the car rental places do not want to see my VIC driving licence (an advantage of being a Hertz Gold member I guess).

 

[stewiejp]

Pretty sure they aren't required in the UK, which likely means EU as well - I hired a lot of cars in UK (years ago) and it didn't look like Aussies needed them there, even though I had one (from memory, I volunteered the thing but they weren't interested - they recognize our licence). Was a while ago though.

Thailand you definitely need one for the insurance to be valid, despite the fact it isn't hard to hire one without one. Not sure about motorbikes though, as the usual bikes you see zipping around the place (under a certain size - "Postie bikes" I call them) a license isn't required so long as you are over a certain age (15/16?) BUT it could get awkward should you be involved in an accident. Insurance etc. Especially if someone is injured, and you (as the foreigner) are at fault... and you WILL be at fault if the injured person is a Thai.

 

[mella2007]

Pretty sure they aren't required in the UK, which likely means EU as well - I hired a lot of cars in UK (years ago) and it didn't look like Aussies needed them there, even though I had one (from memory, I volunteered the thing but they weren't interested - they recognize our licence). Was a while ago though.

Thailand you definitely need one for the insurance to be valid, despite the fact it isn't hard to hire one without one. Not sure about motorbikes though, as the usual bikes you see zipping around the place (under a certain size - "Postie bikes" I call them) a license isn't required so long as you are over a certain age (15/16?) BUT it could get awkward should you be involved in an accident. Insurance etc. Especially if someone is injured, and you (as the foreigner) are at fault... and you WILL be at fault if the injured person is a Thai.

We indeed needed it for a Hertz hire last year in Italy, as well as in Monaco and Greece.

 

[Mal]

Re scooters and motorbikes... many insurance policies exclude them unless you have an Australian motor bike licence. Can get very messy.

General rule for idp is that if the national language isn't English, you will likely need one. There's a comprehensive document listing country requirements on one of the aa sites (nrma I think)

 

[dot]

We indeed needed it for a Hertz hire last year in Italy, as well as in Monaco and Greece.

Last April (2012), I rented cars in Belgium, Rome, Inverness and London (3 separate hires). Not once did any of the Hertz agents ask for a IDP. In May (2012), I hired a car in Orlando and a RV in San Franciso - again, no request to site an IDP.

The RACV web site (International driving requirements - RACV Travel) says that Belgium, Italy and the USA all require an IDP. In my prior experience with car hires in France and Spain (where it's required according to the RACV site) I have never been asked for the IDP.

 

[griffo42]

The problem with not getting an International Driving Permit is that in the event of making a claim (unlikely as that may be) the insurance company may reject your claim if you make one seeing that it seems to be a requirement to have an IDP in listed countries. I think it is an impost with little real effect. Have hired cars overseas for years and was asked for my IDP for the first time in France last year by a world wide car rental company which features yellow prominently.