International Driving Licence

[TypeR]

I am lucky enough to be taking the family to Florida over Christmas. I'm renting a car and I believe I need to apply for an International Driving Licence.
Is that the case? I vaguely remember getting one at an AA shop 12-14 years ago, but where can I get on now?
Is it a simple on line transaction?

Cheers,
Simon.

[Super Slo Mo]

Yes, the AA website for one. Costs about £15 I think. I don't think you need it for USA though, I've certainly never had one for there.

ETA: Guess I should check before posting . It's actually a requirement that's now been repealed, but some hire car companies still seem to ask for it.

Edited by Super Slo Mo on Tuesday 17th November 19:35

[GCH]

You definitely do not need one in the US, ditto for that stupid DVLA code or paper counterpart.
Just take your photocard (or even better, if it is hertz have it in your profile already) and you will be fine.

[surveyor]

I've never been asked. I think it was Florida state law that was intended to catch licenses in a language that they could not read. It was very quickly repealed.

[Kenty]

Didn't even need the dvla code when I hired a car in Miami.

[anonymous-user]

Just info but lots of places stopped requiring an international license when the DVLA went photo,

[Truckosaurus]

Also, as the photocard licences don't actually have any words on them there's nothing that needs translating (which is all the IDL does)

[hamish88]

Got mine from a large post office .
Cost me £5.50 done in ten minutes
Check the post office website to check which ones near you that does I.D.L

[carinatauk]

GCH said:

You definitely do not need one in the US, ditto for that stupid DVLA code or paper counterpart.
Just take your photocard (or even better, if it is hertz have it in your profile already) and you will be fine.

I agree, the counterpart just confuses them. I work in the US, and hire lots of cars, and when I forget to keep them separate [ie counterpart hidden] I get asked loads of irrelevant questions.

Just remember to keep the photo part on you, not in the hotel. I have a habit of forgetting mine and I was stopped once by the police. I couldn't produce it and so they followed me back to the hotel to view it, embarrassing to say the least; other times they just accept the excuse because of the accent.

Edited to add: I have only needed the IDL in Africa; but rarely as they are only after the green bill as an incentive.

[ecsrobin]

I had to get one for driving in Jordan, but the USA just your photo card as others have said.

[so called]

I still have my no photo paper one which is in pieces.
Never any problems in the many US states I regularly visit.

Had a problem in LA once when I forgot my license. No car despite my details on record.