Car hire in Italy - Documents?

[Dave200]

Hi folks. I am hoping that the combined PH brain can help me with an answer to my question. I am heading to Italy in 10 days or so, and have hired a car with Avis (through www.carhire3000.com - recommended) for a duration of the stay.
After checking around online, it would appear that I need only supply an EU Driving License (my photocard), which, being 27, I have. However, a friend mentioned this morning (don't all the best rumours start like this?) that I would need my paper counterpart too.

Can someone please confirm (as I don't have the time to call the hire company) which portion(s) of my license that I DEFINITELY need.

Really appreciate any help.

[a boardman]

I hired a car 3 weeks ago to go and do some via ferrata and did not need the paper copy, this was with europacar.

[Ranger 6]

Don't know if it's a legal requirement for Italy but surely it would be as easy just to take it?

We take ours when hiring in France, Spain & Switzerland and yes, they have studied it on more thanone occasion.

[rcspeirs]

Certainly in the UK, you would need both parts, or you would not be allowed to collect the car.

In other countries, who are not familiar with the stupid system we operate in the UK, you are often only asked for the plastic part.

[Deva Link]

Dave200 said:

Can someone please confirm (as I don't have the time to call the hire company) which portion(s) of my license that I DEFINITELY need.

It doesn't really matter what people on here say, or even what the hire company or their agent say if you ring them up. It boils down to what the person who deals with you asks for - in they ask for the counterpart then you will need it.

[v12v8]

Deva Link said:

It doesn't really matter what people on here say, or even what the hire company or their agent say if you ring them up. It boils down to what the person who deals with you asks for - in they ask for the counterpart then you will need it.

This is spot on. I have hired from Avis, Hertz etc. Some times they ask for it (rare), some times they don't (usual). Take it to be sure.

[sleep envy]

rcspeirs said:

Certainly in the UK, you would need both parts, or you would not be allowed to collect the car.

depends if they have a link to the DVLA - they major companies do so the paper part isn't required

[Zod]

I needed the paper bit when I got stopped by a bike cop in Italy or at least he asked for it and I had it.

[anonymous-user]

Slightly O/T, but make sure you take the originals and not photocopies. My dad was pickpocketed in Rome several years ago and lost both his photocard and the paper counterpart. Not one hire company would accept photocopies of his license, so he couldn't get a car at all.