Motoring Discussion > Is This an International Driving Licence? Legal Questions
Thread Author: Perky Penguin Replies: 19
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 17:54 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Perky Penguin
I thought the AA issued real IDLs for a small fee? www.idriverlicense.com/ These people seem to be passing of something that looks like an IDL but is in fact just a translation of ones own national Licence and may have no legal standing of any sort. Any thoughts? I am not planning to get one BTW!!
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 17:59 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - RattleandSmoke
The website looks like it was made by a spotty 12 year old using FrontPage express. I certainly would not buy anything from it.
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 18:18 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Perky Penguin
I didn't check out the prices before I posted either $59 for a year!!!!
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 18:23 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
Its an American site. You cant expect the UK AA to issue an IDP for Americans driving in Israel.

All an IPD is, is a translation of your home license, and is only valid in conjunction with your home license.
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 18:39 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Perky Penguin
It appears that the AA will only issue IDP to the holders of UK licences and with a UK address.
Last edited by: Perky Penguin on Tue 28 Sep 10 at 18:41
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 19:11 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - jc2
Other than the photo,it looks very similar to the ones that the AA & RAC still issue.It's not a license,just a translation of your own license.
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 19:22 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Armel Coussine
It never had any legal standing anywhere. But partly because it had a photo and partly because it could have pages in any language, it used to be recommended to people travelling in countries with jumpy, wired, semi-literate, trigger-happy security forces.

I seem to remember that the US - or perhaps 'certain States in the US' - figured high up the list.

Heh heh.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Tue 28 Sep 10 at 19:22
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 20:36 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - movilogo
Most countries laws allow you to drive at least 12 months based on your home driving license.

UK driving license is quite powerful one and many countries will value this.
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 21:13 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
Not when it was just a strip of pink or green paper they didn't.
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New Tue 28 Sep 10 21:33 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Kevin
>Not when it was just a strip of pink or green paper they didn't.

Most foreign cops have been in awe of my green paper license. Especially the additional endorsements testifying to my driving skill ;-)

Kevin...
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 01:09 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Woodster
Surely there's no such thing as an IDL?. Regardless of what 'translation' document the AA or others may provide, these are not issued by a relevant authority, and so provide no entitlement, anywhere.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 07:48 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
As we said, its only valid when accompanied by your original valid license. So no its not valid as a license, it never was. But it is required in some countries.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 07:57 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Perky Penguin
It isn't a licence - it is a permit. Some countries, Oman for one, will issue a local licence after a few weeks, without a test and on production of one's national licence and an IDP.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 11:11 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Woodster
It certainly isn't (nor is one issued in any other country) 'valid' accompanied by anything. IDL's have no validity as they are not official documents. It's no more 'valid' than one I might make at home.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 13:08 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
>> It certainly isn't (nor is one issued in any other country) 'valid' accompanied by anything.
>> IDL's have no validity as they are not official documents. It's no more 'valid' than
>> one I might make at home.

Ok well how about the fact that your VALID driving license becomes INVALID in certain countries unless you have a VALID translation of your driving license as supplied by the IDP.

Hows that?
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 14:41 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Woodster
Which countries and what validates the translation itself? Such translations are not issued by a recognised authority. Certainly in the UK no such IDP is accepted. Unless you were fluent in the other language you couldn't possibly know that the translation was correct.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 14:46 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
Woodster.

www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/idp-requirements-by-country.html

However, feel free to travel to these countries with your own translation on a scrappy bit of paper that you have drawn up. I am sure some petty little official will accept your assertion that "I think its good enough"


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New Thu 30 Sep 10 14:58 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Woodster
Check the notes acompanying each country. Most require validation by the local authority. The AA are still NOT an authority for issuing official documents, it's simply a translation that you hope/expect the other country's officials to accept. If a foreign national presents a UK police officer with any form of 'IDP' it will be ignored. How can you know it's correct? Probably the reason why most advanced countries on the list want to validate/exchange it themselves.
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 14:59 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Woodster
And when did I assert that: 'I think it's good enough'?? You're letting your imagination run riot now Zero. Professional assistance is available y'know!
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New Thu 30 Sep 10 15:11 
 Is This an International Driving Licence? - Zero
At the end of the day, the only validation required is a greenback.

I have driven in countries that required a IDP. The AA one was good enough. So did my father, it was good enough for him as well.
Last edited by: Zero on Thu 30 Sep 10 at 15:14
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