International Drivers Licence?
Mar 18, 2000 | 10:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Dallas, TX. AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Rewards Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold VIP, Starwood Platinum Preferred, Avis Preferred Select
Posts: 863
International Drivers Licence?
Hey Everyone....
Looks like I will be travelling abroad (into England).
Does anyone who where I can download information on getting an international drivers licence or local "rules of the road" for England?
Please reply to [email protected] or post here.
Thanks!
Looks like I will be travelling abroad (into England).
Does anyone who where I can download information on getting an international drivers licence or local "rules of the road" for England?
Please reply to [email protected] or post here.
Thanks!
Mar 18, 2000 | 12:24 pm
#2
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
Programs: UA MM-1P, Hilton Life Diamond, Marriot Life Gold, ICH Spire
Posts: 4,080
You probably don't need an IDL. Police authorities in the U.K. and car rental agencies routinely recognize all U.S. drivers licenses. Applies to most of Western Europe also. IDL may help because of multi-lingual text, but police in France, Germany, Italy, etc., have all seen Texas drivers licenses before.
Mar 18, 2000 | 12:41 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 3,373
Most car rental agencies in major airports will give you a "rules of the road" summary.
As long as you know how to negotiate roundabouts you will have few difficulties.
Bear in mind, most rentals are manual transmission. For my part, I prefer it, but if you have only driven automatics, you will have the twin problems of remembering that you are driving a manual transmission--and the orientation. The gear shift and pedals are not mirror image, so you still use your left foot to clutch, but you push into 1st instead of pulling. It can be disorienting for a while.
As long as you know how to negotiate roundabouts you will have few difficulties.
Bear in mind, most rentals are manual transmission. For my part, I prefer it, but if you have only driven automatics, you will have the twin problems of remembering that you are driving a manual transmission--and the orientation. The gear shift and pedals are not mirror image, so you still use your left foot to clutch, but you push into 1st instead of pulling. It can be disorienting for a while.
Mar 18, 2000 | 1:16 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Rochester, NY USA
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Platinum
Posts: 1,433
By the way, International Driver's License is a bit of a misnomer. It is really just a translation of your regular driver's license information.
In the Us, you normally obtain this from your local AAA offie - even if you are not a member of AAA.
In the Us, you normally obtain this from your local AAA offie - even if you are not a member of AAA.
Mar 18, 2000 | 11:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Third planet from the Sun
Posts: 7,024
The international Drivers license is worthless unless you are going to a place where the local police can't read english. I was pulled over once in the back roads of Portugal for crossing a white line(everyone else was doing it)--The cop did not know how to handle my US drivers license--when I gave him the internationl one he read it, shook my hand and sent me on my way.
Mar 20, 2000 | 3:15 am
#6
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
Posts: 1,976
You won't need an international driver's licence in the UK. Please remember we drive on the left hand side of the road 
It is correct that most cars have manual trasmission - However, when reserving your car you can specifically request an automatic . The major rental companies all have them, particularly at international airports. If you try your luck when you arrive, you might be disappointed.
It is correct that most cars have manual trasmission - However, when reserving your car you can specifically request an automatic . The major rental companies all have them, particularly at international airports. If you try your luck when you arrive, you might be disappointed.
Mar 20, 2000 | 4:44 am
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
no international driver's licence needed for the UK - correct.
For english speaking countries I have a (unlimited valid) english traduction of my swiss driving licence ('certified' by my swiss automobil club).
you (and I) need an International driving licence for Australia! (the one I got from my swiss automobil club = TCS is calid for 2 years).
For english speaking countries I have a (unlimited valid) english traduction of my swiss driving licence ('certified' by my swiss automobil club).
you (and I) need an International driving licence for Australia! (the one I got from my swiss automobil club = TCS is calid for 2 years).