Originally Posted by
LondonElite
Almost no country in western Europe requires an IDP. I've driven in virtually every country in Europe and have never used one. Most rental agencies will look at you quizzically if you show them one, in addition to your US or Canadian driving license. Citizenship is relevant neither to your ability to get a US or Canadian driving license, nor to your need for a special permit in a European country.
I cannot specifically speak for Romania, as I have not rented a car there, but for pretty much every other place.
I'm guessing you are an UK citizen because of your nickname. There is a chance of you are except to carry an IDP at continental Europe. I really don't know.
But, if you aren't excepted, the fact you were able to rent a car in Western Europe without an IDP doesn't mean that you don't need to carry one. You must agree with me that counter agents aren't exactly law enforcement officers, and they really don't care if you will or won't have troubles. Even better, if you receive a ticket, they can add an administrative fee in your bill for "processing" the ticket.
In my last trip to France I had my IDP, but at the counter the agent only got my license driver. Maybe because it is easier & faster to figure out the needed information in a single card instead of in a multi-pages booklet...^