International Drivers Permit
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Palm Coast, FL (DAB) USA
Posts: 242
There probably should have been a bit more to the response.......
In the US (and most other countries issuing an IDL) AAA is NOT a government agency, and thus not a valid government ID per the TSA!
That said, 1) I'm not sure any TSA "officer" would really notice, but 2) if they do, who cares...... You don't need a valid ID to fly! Worst case, you are SSSS, and have to go through a few more minutes of frustration to get to the gate.
In the US (and most other countries issuing an IDL) AAA is NOT a government agency, and thus not a valid government ID per the TSA!
That said, 1) I'm not sure any TSA "officer" would really notice, but 2) if they do, who cares...... You don't need a valid ID to fly! Worst case, you are SSSS, and have to go through a few more minutes of frustration to get to the gate.
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YYC - soon to be 東京
Programs: AC Prestige, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, Radisson Gold Elite, HHonors
Posts: 1,830
I second what cordelli says. The IDP is not valid without a drivers license present. It even states this in the IDP booklet itself.
Sanosuke!
Sanosuke!
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,714
The IDP isn't anything, really. It's a bit of cardboard with some generic "Please be nice to the bearer" phrases translated into many other languages. I have one but it's never proved useful. It's certainly not going to be viewed as a "valid ID."
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: RDU/AMS/OSL
Programs: SK*S, AA PLT, US*S
Posts: 241
It may be useful in Africa or Asia, but in Western Europe, I wouldn't worry about an international license.
#9
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, AA, SPG - Gold, LM
Posts: 589
There probably should have been a bit more to the response.......
In the US (and most other countries issuing an IDL) AAA is NOT a government agency, and thus not a valid government ID per the TSA!
That said, 1) I'm not sure any TSA "officer" would really notice, but 2) if they do, who cares...... You don't need a valid ID to fly! Worst case, you are SSSS, and have to go through a few more minutes of frustration to get to the gate.
In the US (and most other countries issuing an IDL) AAA is NOT a government agency, and thus not a valid government ID per the TSA!
That said, 1) I'm not sure any TSA "officer" would really notice, but 2) if they do, who cares...... You don't need a valid ID to fly! Worst case, you are SSSS, and have to go through a few more minutes of frustration to get to the gate.
In the case of an IDP issued by a Government, do you think TSA would look at....?
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
Don't try driving in South Korea without an IDP. I'm glad I had mine; the cop at the roadblock demanded it. He was friendly about it as he waited ~5 minutes for me to find it buried in the car.
#14
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: WN, DL, UA, AA, Hilton, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 1,303
The IDP IS useful, under certain circumstances, like when driving in a country when you are there short term. Some countries don't count them after you've been in the country a certain amount of time- you need a regular DL like everyone else, then. (Often this is the amount of time that you would also need to get some kind of residency permit.)
As for an IDP as a form of ID, as everyone has said, the ones issued in the US would be worthless. Basically its a booklet with translations of some basic driving rules into a bunch of languages. However, if it were issued by a gov't authority & had a photo embedded in it, it might be accepted. Or it might get you SSSS'ed. Maybe someone who has one can comment.
As for an IDP as a form of ID, as everyone has said, the ones issued in the US would be worthless. Basically its a booklet with translations of some basic driving rules into a bunch of languages. However, if it were issued by a gov't authority & had a photo embedded in it, it might be accepted. Or it might get you SSSS'ed. Maybe someone who has one can comment.
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: NW Plat (now they call it DL Diamond) 1MM, soon to be DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Dusit Gold
Posts: 2,706
Last I heard, Italy is part of western Europe. A few years ago I had an accident there and the IDL really saved me from difficulties. I believe that it is now mandatory in Italy.