Not GP. One of the things that AAA makes easy is getting an IDP, which is not related to roadside assistance (or vehicle insurance).
IDP is “International Driving Permit”, which is a booklet that certifies that the person has a driving license in <country> for <class of vehicles>. It includes the photo of the person and the date of birth. It includes translation in various languages so that when you’re in another country and rent a vehicle (or drive one) and the police (or enforcers) need to check if you have a valid license, you can show this (as well as your original license, if asked for). Anecdotally, I’ve heard that the process to get it through AAA seems quicker and easier than from the DMV.
> Anecdotally, I’ve heard that the process to get it through AAA seems quicker and easier than from the DMV.
You heard right, but that's because you won't get one at all from the any state DMV. The AAA is the only authorized entity allowed to issue IDPs in the USA. I wish I was making it up, because I'd rather go to my (excellent) DMV office than across town.
I wasn't even aware you could get them at the DNV. I've always gone to AAA to get one. They have always seemed like a bit of a scam to me since anytime I've been stopped in a foreign country the police have been more interested in my passport and actual drivers license.
Depends very much on the country. Many countries don't care, some like Japan will absolutely refuse to let you drive a car without one.
And it has to be the correct flavor of IDP too, meaning proper 1949 Geneva Convention on proper 1940s cardboard, none of that new-fangled 1969 Vienna Convention nonsense. Oh, your country has signed up to 1969 but not 1949? No car in Japan for you then.
Oddly enough, no car rental place has ever checked. Supposedly the police care, but I haven't seen much evidence of that either. Given they only cost $25, I keep one with me anyway.
Not GP. One of the things that AAA makes easy is getting an IDP, which is not related to roadside assistance (or vehicle insurance).
IDP is “International Driving Permit”, which is a booklet that certifies that the person has a driving license in <country> for <class of vehicles>. It includes the photo of the person and the date of birth. It includes translation in various languages so that when you’re in another country and rent a vehicle (or drive one) and the police (or enforcers) need to check if you have a valid license, you can show this (as well as your original license, if asked for). Anecdotally, I’ve heard that the process to get it through AAA seems quicker and easier than from the DMV.
> Anecdotally, I’ve heard that the process to get it through AAA seems quicker and easier than from the DMV.
You heard right, but that's because you won't get one at all from the any state DMV. The AAA is the only authorized entity allowed to issue IDPs in the USA. I wish I was making it up, because I'd rather go to my (excellent) DMV office than across town.
"The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the official organization authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs" from https://www.usa.gov/international-drivers-license
No, you can get an IDP online. Linked from the state department:
https://www.aataidp.com/
It's easier than going to an AAA office. Slightly more expensive but worth it. They mail it to you quite quickly.
I wasn't even aware you could get them at the DNV. I've always gone to AAA to get one. They have always seemed like a bit of a scam to me since anytime I've been stopped in a foreign country the police have been more interested in my passport and actual drivers license.
They're absolutely a scam. Slovenia technically requires them to rent a car. They don't have a translation to Slovene.
Depending on the country, there might be a reciprocal agreement that allows driving with your state license.
I've been a few places where that's the case, and a couple others where the car rental place actually validated the IDP.
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Oh! Today I learned, thanks! I didn’t even know that was a thing. Would you need that for renting a car in another country?
Depends very much on the country. Many countries don't care, some like Japan will absolutely refuse to let you drive a car without one.
And it has to be the correct flavor of IDP too, meaning proper 1949 Geneva Convention on proper 1940s cardboard, none of that new-fangled 1969 Vienna Convention nonsense. Oh, your country has signed up to 1969 but not 1949? No car in Japan for you then.
Oddly enough, no car rental place has ever checked. Supposedly the police care, but I haven't seen much evidence of that either. Given they only cost $25, I keep one with me anyway.
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Maybe International Driving Permit? Our local version of AAA issues them, but you don't have to be a member.