An international drivers' license was absolutely required for us to rent a car in Italy. It is only a scam if you purchase one but don't need it. It wasn't needed on our last holiday as both nations accepted our US licenses since they were in English. Click bait title pffff.
In my experience it is a requirement to rent a car in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Without it they won’t rent you a car. They also pay all attention to it rather than your home country license.
What an idiot! That permit is tied to your countries drivers license. If you took a test to get your regular license,that test covers this permit as well. If your license is suspended or revoked for any reason,this permit will be as well .
Int'l Driving Permit is not a driver's license. It is an interpretation/translation of your country DL in a document that conforms to United Nations' treaty requirements. In theory anybody can issue these, as long as they conform, but AAA makes this a business. It is NOT a government ID, and while the IDP is "valid" in all the countries listed, it is only used as a supplement to your real license. I have traveled worldwide for 35 years, and in the 1990's and early 00's you could be asked to show this, and some foreign police were almost hoping you didn't have it so they could trump up a traffic fine and scam cash out of you. Lately, nobody in Europe, UK or MENA has asked to see this in addition to my New Hampshire USA license. It is too bad it is valid for only 1 year, European Int'l licenses are (were) good for 5 years. I say "were", because due to European Union reciprocity and general disinterest in IDP's, they hardly ever need them now.
Rental in Thailand used this. They don't accept my CA driver license. And this is not your license, it must be used in conjunction with a valid driver license itself. What do you recommend, that isn't a scam since the rental in Thailand (Hertz) doesn't accept CA driver license by itself? The Thai traffic police also didn't accept my license when I ride my brother motor bike.
Thailand is required. They will still rent to you, but if the police pull you, fines, and now they confiscate your vehicle. This is only his view and experience. Not a scam. Works in Thailand. Bad advise from him
I had to have an international drivers license when I went to Spain last year so it’s not a scam at all. Another US couple checking in tried to save $20 and used another method and got denied. Sounded like their trip got ruined when I was driving off and I sent them AAA’s application so they could try and get it asap. You need to do your proper due diligence when driving in another country for applicable laws and policies within the rental company. I’m sure there’s other avenues to save $20 but it literally took 20min at AAA and I was good to go. Remember you’re dealing with multiple layers of bureaucracy and unfortunately most countries don’t have the US’s level of freedom and rights.
Believe it or not there are places that actually do require this for rentals and private vehicles... I live in Poland (US citizen) and when renting they always ask for this, it's super frustrating because it's only valid for a year. I've been pulled over by police here in my own car and they have asked, but they thankfully took a scanned image on my phone 😂. I've been here 10 years and it's always been the case 🤷🏻♂️, only EU citizens with an EU driving license don't need an IDP from their nation. I agree it's the most ridiculous document ever. But other nations seem to all be the same .... "Domestic driving licences issued in countries that have not ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention (such as the United States or India) may not be recognised in Poland. Drivers who hold such licences usually have to obtain an international driving permit in order to be allowed to drive in Poland for the period of up to 6 months from the date of entry into the country."
The AAA is a private entity, not a government agency. They have no legal authority to issue licenses or permits. This permit does work, but in the same way that a Conch Republic passport can be passed off as real ID to an ignorant foreigner who just needs to be handed paperwork as a technicality.
Amazing job. I am just wondering maybe you have a pdf file with that form so I could just print out and fill up with my data and do not pay money to them?
You can drive up to 90 days in some countries on vacation, if you plan on staying there then you need this or get a license from the country you’re in.!
Anecdotal "evidence" is not universal truth. An IDP does not substitute a valid driver's license, rather it is a translation of sorts and while it may not be required for everyday driving, it is technically mandatory for renting a vehicle.
Anecdotal "evidence" is not universal truth. An IDP does not substitute a valid driver's license, rather it is a translation of sorts and while it may not be required for everyday driving, it is technically mandatory for renting a vehicle.
You need one if you go to Japan, the car rental will not give you keys if you don’t have that
An international drivers' license was absolutely required for us to rent a car in Italy. It is only a scam if you purchase one but don't need it. It wasn't needed on our last holiday as both nations accepted our US licenses since they were in English. Click bait title pffff.
In my experience it is a requirement to rent a car in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Without it they won’t rent you a car. They also pay all attention to it rather than your home country license.
What an idiot! That permit is tied to your countries drivers license.
If you took a test to get your regular license,that test covers this permit as well.
If your license is suspended or revoked for any reason,this permit will be as well .
Int'l Driving Permit is not a driver's license. It is an interpretation/translation of your country DL in a document that conforms to United Nations' treaty requirements. In theory anybody can issue these, as long as they conform, but AAA makes this a business. It is NOT a government ID, and while the IDP is "valid" in all the countries listed, it is only used as a supplement to your real license. I have traveled worldwide for 35 years, and in the 1990's and early 00's you could be asked to show this, and some foreign police were almost hoping you didn't have it so they could trump up a traffic fine and scam cash out of you. Lately, nobody in Europe, UK or MENA has asked to see this in addition to my New Hampshire USA license. It is too bad it is valid for only 1 year, European Int'l licenses are (were) good for 5 years. I say "were", because due to European Union reciprocity and general disinterest in IDP's, they hardly ever need them now.
Generally, countries that use the Latin alphabet don’t need the IDP. They can figure out what a name, address and number are.
You need one. I have one in English from India. The vehicle types written on the license is different in other countries so you need a translation
All a AAA international permit does is translate your official US government license for foreign authorities to "accept".
Rental in Thailand used this. They don't accept my CA driver license. And this is not your license, it must be used in conjunction with a valid driver license itself. What do you recommend, that isn't a scam since the rental in Thailand (Hertz) doesn't accept CA driver license by itself? The Thai traffic police also didn't accept my license when I ride my brother motor bike.
Thailand is required. They will still rent to you, but if the police pull you, fines, and now they confiscate your vehicle. This is only his view and experience. Not a scam. Works in Thailand. Bad advise from him
Do you need it to rent a car in Australia?
I had to have an international drivers license when I went to Spain last year so it’s not a scam at all. Another US couple checking in tried to save $20 and used another method and got denied. Sounded like their trip got ruined when I was driving off and I sent them AAA’s application so they could try and get it asap.
You need to do your proper due diligence when driving in another country for applicable laws and policies within the rental company. I’m sure there’s other avenues to save $20 but it literally took 20min at AAA and I was good to go. Remember you’re dealing with multiple layers of bureaucracy and unfortunately most countries don’t have the US’s level of freedom and rights.
According to a official US government website AAA is the only official distributor of international drivers permits
Believe it or not there are places that actually do require this for rentals and private vehicles... I live in Poland (US citizen) and when renting they always ask for this, it's super frustrating because it's only valid for a year. I've been pulled over by police here in my own car and they have asked, but they thankfully took a scanned image on my phone 😂. I've been here 10 years and it's always been the case 🤷🏻♂️, only EU citizens with an EU driving license don't need an IDP from their nation.
I agree it's the most ridiculous document ever. But other nations seem to all be the same ....
"Domestic driving licences issued in countries that have not ratified the 1968 Vienna Convention (such as the United States or India) may not be recognised in Poland. Drivers who hold such licences usually have to obtain an international driving permit in order to be allowed to drive in Poland for the period of up to 6 months from the date of entry into the country."
This video literally made no sense. How is AAA IDP a scam???
The AAA is a private entity, not a government agency. They have no legal authority to issue licenses or permits. This permit does work, but in the same way that a Conch Republic passport can be passed off as real ID to an ignorant foreigner who just needs to be handed paperwork as a technicality.
I just got the aaa idp but it’s only good for what my CAlifirnia DL has. I will take motorcycle driving lessons either in Vietnam or Cambodia
How long have you been detained abroad? Sounds risky, jail abroad?, yet I don’t know.
Plus, you need one in New Zealand Australia in the United Kingdom
Aaa dropped trying to tow my car and didn’t pay a dollar
Amazing job. I am just wondering maybe you have a pdf file with that form so I could just print out and fill up with my data and do not pay money to them?
My dad did it nothing happened
Before you get it check omg
Haha they wipe their behind with your permit.
American education……..
what a derp!
Dude you made this video to hear you talking. And you made this clickbait to force us to listen you
Bro, its just 20 bucks lol
The "thumb" down was for the information on this video and ALSO for the STUP..... face on the video thumbnail.........
This guy is only giving his opinion with no knowledge!!
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I've driven in many countries and I've NEVER been asked for this international driver's license.
You can drive up to 90 days in some countries on vacation, if you plan on staying there then you need this or get a license from the country you’re in.!
Anecdotal "evidence" is not universal truth. An IDP does not substitute a valid driver's license, rather it is a translation of sorts and while it may not be required for everyday driving, it is technically mandatory for renting a vehicle.
Anecdotal "evidence" is not universal truth. An IDP does not substitute a valid driver's license, rather it is a translation of sorts and while it may not be required for everyday driving, it is technically mandatory for renting a vehicle.