Do I need an International Drivers Permit in UK? Does Hertz expect this?

[Quilter]

I have booked a rental at LHR. There is a note for license requirements. "An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is mandatory for non-European Union renters." My neighbor's said they didn't have one when they went 2 years ago. Is this new or does Hertz simply require more than other rental agencies?

 

[SteveinHNL]

I picked one up through AAA when we went to the UK but I don’t believe it was required to drive.

 

[elaine]

We always gotten them--we were only asked once to show it. I'd not want to get to rental counter and be turned away.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

I have rented from the Hertz London Marble Arch office, but it was before Covid. I have also rented from Hertz and other companies all over Europe. I have never been asked to show an IDP. The IDP is simply a certified restatement of the important information on your DL in multiple languages. Some countries "technically" require it, but I have never been asked for one.

When they are referencing non-EU drivers that includes licences from multiple countries where English may not be the language, so there may be an issue in understanding what the licence says. US and Canadian licences are in English so that is not an issue. On the other hand, if you are in a country that requires one, make sure you are not in an accident or pulled over by the police, since you may be subject to a fine. For the small price of an IDP, if it isn't overly inconvenent, why not just get one? It could save a potentially major hassle. I usually do when in Europe.

 

[geist1223]

I have rented cars in Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, France, New Zealand, Australia, and, Mexico. I have never been asked for an IDP.

 

[Blues]

It's so easy to get one, especially if you're a AAA member - why not?

But I agree with the others. It's very rare to be asked for one. The one country that seems to be a stickler, though, is Spain. If you go there, make sure you have an IDP.

 

[ABCTravels]

I did not have one when I rented in Ireland (2023) or England at Enterprise LHR (2022). I did have one when I lived in Germany for three years that was in addition to my German driver's license because we were driving in a lot countries with differing rules and didn't want to think about it.

Bottom line- if you can get one cheap and easy then do that and have peace of mind, but if you are out of time before your trip, then don't bother and I wouldn't be worried about it.

 

[Ski-Dad]

NO. You will not require an international drivers licence. International drivers licence come into play when your drivers licence is in a different language than the language of the locale.

 

[Limace]

I’ve heard on Rick Steves forums that most places don’t require-unless you get pulled over. Worth the $20 for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jehb2]

We had to show ours in Scotland. We didn’t have to show it in Italy. Both Hertz.

You’re shelling out a lot of money for your vacation. Spend the $20 and get the license.

 

[mjm1]

We just rented a car from Avis at the LHR location and nothing was said about an international drivers license.

 

[Carolinian]

I have never been asked for one when renting in the UK or anywhere in Europe for that matter. There were a couple of islands in the Caribbean, however, where they required a local drivers license. The car rental desk at the airport issued you one at their desk in the airport, good for six months.

 

[JamesReeves]

Usually they don't ask, but there is always a chance they may. I would stay on the safer side and just get the permit.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Usually they don't ask, but there is always a chance they may. I would stay on the safer side and just get the permit.

+1

Richard

 

[pedro47]

I agree with all the above posts, but you should have a current valid United States driver’s license.