| Author |
Message |
    
alan k. fry
Member
Username: Alnjudigmailcom
Post Number: 25
Registered: 08-2008
Posted From: 67.239.63.230
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 - 11:32 am: | |
I agree with some of the others who made comment. An IDL is a rip-off. It is advertised as the only license you need; for example if your state license is revoked you can drive with an IDL. Not true and a waste of money. An IDP is an internationally recognized document that verifies that you have a valid local drivers license. I have driven / rented cars in Europe many times, and have never been asked for it. However, I always get one when I am going to drive overseas. For the small price the piece of mind is priceless. Get it at AAA. |
Thomas Laws
Member
Username: Thomlaws
Post Number: 7
Registered: 05-2008
Posted From: 70.184.162.190
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 11:25 am: | |
Nick Watson is right. I have AAA Plus. It initially surprised me that there was no fee, I didn't read the fine print. I got the Plus for the extended towing range. I live in northern Newport News and my daughter's favorite place to have car trouble was Virginia Beach, outside the standard towing distance. |
Nick Watson
Member
Username: Clermontnick
Post Number: 19
Registered: 08-2009
Posted From: 70.119.252.176
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 10:18 am: | |
A word to the wise:
Is the IDP from AAA really free? Well, yes and no. It's free to top-tier members, but $15 for non-AAA members and "basic" level membership folks like me. I only tell you this so you aren't embarrassed at the counter when you're asked to cough up the fee! As with everything else in life, it pays to read the fine print.
Nick Watson |
Thomas Laws
Junior Member
Username: Thomlaws
Post Number: 6
Registered: 05-2008
Posted From: 98.183.134.124
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 09:35 am: | |
The IDP is free to AAA members, they even take the photo, here in Virginia. They also have maps of europe gratis, good for trip planning. |
Fred Milton
Member
Username: Fmmagyar
Post Number: 30
Registered: 01-2007
Posted From: 212.200.122.250
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 07:57 am: | |
For peace of mind just get one. You will know its value should you ever be stopped by the police. It's a very cheap form of insurance--$15 per person at AAA. Takes 10 to 15 minutes to get. It is good for one year. Used to be good for three years. When renewing you can just add the expiration date of your present one as the beginning date of the new one, thus you get your full moneys worth. |
Mike Spengel
Advanced Member
Username: Mike_sp
Post Number: 354
Registered: 07-2006
Posted From: 70.95.149.155
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 06:53 am: | |
It is what it is. |
Danny Hamilton
Senior Member
Username: Dannyhamilton
Post Number: 591
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 68.225.115.15
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 03:03 am: | |
IF the IDP is only good for 1 year, AND it is just used as a translation for your Stateside drivers license, then WHY is it valid or only one year? If your drivers license information stays the same, why wouldn't a TRANSLATION of the drivers license also remain the same? |
dinotars
Senior Member
Username: Dinotars
Post Number: 6666
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 173.169.151.24
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 01:20 am: | |
Available from AAA.
http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html |
Richard Troy
Member
Username: Bandit
Post Number: 17
Registered: 05-2005
Posted From: 71.240.139.125
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 12:19 am: | |
The IDL is good for one year. While getting it at AAA, I always ask them to list my European arrival date as the beginning date. Otherwise, they'll probably just mark the current date. Not a big issue, but you never know. |
dinotars
Senior Member
Username: Dinotars
Post Number: 6663
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 173.169.151.24
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 12:16 pm: | |
The correct identity for the document is an International Driving Permit (IDP).This is indicated in the link posted.It is a translation of the data and identity of the holder of a valid and recognized government driving license. |
John David Brooks
Advanced Member
Username: Johnb6597
Post Number: 387
Registered: 04-2008
Posted From: 121.55.235.75
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 03:42 am: | |
Greetings, Carl: Ditto what Ed said. The AAA IDL is the best option out there. Here is a link with a list of all the countries that honor the AAA IDL: http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html |
ed williamson
Advanced Member
Username: Regnav
Post Number: 174
Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 76.114.109.206
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 03:21 am: | |
I've seen some real IDL rip off advertisements lately, the latest was in the Fleet Reserve Association magazine, of all places.
AAA handles them quite cheaply. |
FHYL
Advanced Member
Username: Fhyl
Post Number: 377
Registered: 11-2008
Posted From: 68.68.131.47
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 01:32 am: | |
Do yourself a favor, get an IDL no matter which or how many OCONUS countries you travel to. One encounter with the police and the nominal annnual IDL cost will be forgotten. It's cheap time saving insurance. |
dinotars
Senior Member
Username: Dinotars
Post Number: 6658
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 173.169.151.24
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 01:22 am: | |
What countries do you intend to visit and drive an auto? This may help. |
Carl Anson
New member
Username: Nosna40
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2008
Posted From: 98.252.21.236
| | Posted on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 01:07 am: | |
I am planning a trip to Europe(EU)this year. I have been told that some of the countries require an International Drivers License (IDL). If this is fact, can anyone verify which countries do and which ones do-not. Thanks to all and Happy Traveling. |
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