International Driving Permit (IDP)
International Driving Permit - three
fold page
International Driving
Permit - cover page
International Driving
Permit - notice, disclaimer
There is a lot of discussions (sometimes very emotional and speculative) on whether you should have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Europe, and, in particular, in Italy. First, what is IDP? It's nothing more than a preprinted translation (into 11 languages) of vehicle categories for which your US (or, in general, your original) license is valid. The IDP is valid for all "Contracting States" (which include more than 180 countries) for driving vehicles in categories listed and translated. The IDP is valid only when accompanied by your US driver's license. IDP also has a page with your photo, name, place of birth, date of birth and current residence address. It's very easy to get an IDP at any AAA office. Come with your state driver's license - the whole procedure takes about 10 minutes and costs $10. IDP is valid for a year.
Requirements for having IDP differ from country to country but actual practice has proved that you may drive for years in European countries without IDP and without ever been asked to show IDP. The most stringent requirements in this respect seem to exist in Italy where the law requires an official translation of you original drive's license - thus, making IDP an ideal device to satisfy this requirement. Again, if you have never been asked in Italy for IDP, doesn't mean that it is legal to drive without one or that Italian police will never ask you to show IDP or driver's license translation if it stops you. Do you want to jeopardize the pleasure of your Italian vacations by not having your IDP even if the likelihood that you will have to show it is very slim?
Finally, some people call IDP international driving license (IDL) - there is no such thing.