internatioinal driving permit

M

morph321

Guest
Hi folks,

I need to get an International Driving Permit. I have found out from Oasis.gov.ie that I need to send off a couple of euro with my full license, photographs and application form to AA Travel in Dublin.

Does this mean I cannot drive until I receive the response - i.e. I won't have my license on me at all times.

Would a photocopy suffice? Is it worth sending the application by courier or registered post?

morph.
 
i sent a colour copy and had no problems getting mine.. alternatively you can call into the AA in Suffolk St. and get it on the spot I think.
 
The international driving permit is just a translation of your license in to lots of languages - if you're going to an English speaking country (or America) you don't need it.
 
Indeed.. i needed it for South America.. not needed in most countries in Europe or the US or Australia as far as I know.... check beforehand if you need it.. otherwise it's a waste (ok it's only €5.08 but still!)
 
According to the rental agencies, you do need a permit, but I was not asked for one when I rented a car a number of months ago. Better safe than sorry, they are easily obtained from the AA (www.aaireland.com)
 
Its a bit of a pain that the irish driving license wouldnt be recongnised though
 
But its not recognised if you need to have another license to back it up. Ah well I suppose Ill have to go get one, not worth being over there and getting a cranky sales clerk who wont rent us the car.
 
I did not need to produce the permit, so the Irish driving licenece is recognised. For the sake of a few euro it's not that much of an issue.
 
its not the few euro, or having to take a half day off work to go and get one. Its that there is no clear ruling on whether it is needed or not. I have asked about 8people today who have been in the states recently and none of them needed it. The AA cant define whether it is a necessity either.
 
You don't have to take a half day off work-you can do it through the post.

It doesn't really have anything to do with what the AA say, or even US law. If the rental agency say you need it, then that's it.
 
They never said anything in the 2 bookings we made with them about needing one, so if its not on their internet site i dont know how they can ienforce it when we are over there.
 
We've rented cars in the US many times and each time only had to produce an Irish licence - they even accepted a provisional licence on one occassion!
 
Rented a car last week without a permit. Even if one company demands it, there are so many rental compaines that one of them at least will accept your licence at face value.

The other thing you could do is price a car on orbitz.com, contact the agency directly and then ask them if you need a permit.

On a side note, I was stopped by the cops last week for an out of date insurance cert on the rental car and he had no problem with my Irish Licence.
 
Quote: Does this mean I cannot drive until I receive the response - i.e. I won't have my license on me at all times.
I must be behind with the law as I never carry my licence I have always handed it into my local Garda Station when I'm asked for it or is this not allowed lately,Last time was 4 months ago and had no problem,
 
bskinti said:
Quote: Does this mean I cannot drive until I receive the response - i.e. I won't have my license on me at all times.
I must be behind with the law as I never carry my licence I have always handed it into my local Garda Station when I'm asked for it or is this not allowed lately,Last time was 4 months ago and had no problem,
Click to expand...

By law you have to have your licence with you at all times but in practice I never had a problem when I didn't have it when asked.

On the International Driving Licence issue, I hired a car twice last year in the USA; the first time it was Hertz and they were ok with my Irish licence but on the other occasion Alamo wanted to see an International licence also. I always bring an international licence if I intend to hire a car; better safe than sorry; as mentioned already it only costs €5.08/year a fraction of what you will be hiring the car for anyway
 
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