FAdvice

Hello,

What would people here suggest regarding whether or not to get an International
Driver's permit when visiting Germany? I have a valid U.S. license and was told
that an IDP is "recommended, but not required" in Germany. Any thoughts on the
pros/con of having/not having an IDP?

Thanks!

Devil

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:12:14 +0000, FAdvice wrote:

    > Hello,
    >
    > What would people here suggest regarding whether or not to get an International
    > Driver's permit when visiting Germany? I have a valid U.S. license and was told
    > that an IDP is "recommended, but not required" in Germany. Any thoughts on the
    > pros/con of having/not having an IDP?

Not required.

Who "recommends" this? The folks trying to sell you one perhaps?

Tim Challenger

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:26:29 GMT, devil wrote:

    > On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:12:14 +0000, FAdvice wrote:
    >
    >> Hello,
    >>
    >> What would people here suggest regarding whether or not to get an International
    >> Driver's permit when visiting Germany? I have a valid U.S. license and was told
    >> that an IDP is "recommended, but not required" in Germany. Any thoughts on the
    >> pros/con of having/not having an IDP?
    >
    > Not required.
    >
    > Who "recommends" this? The folks trying to sell you one perhaps?

It's "not required" because there is no *national* regulation on this. It
depends on the individual federal German state authorities wether an IDP is
required or not. Therefore in some German states you'll be ok, and some you
may be fined if you don't have one. Hence "not explicitly nationally
required but recommended".

--
Tim C.

The Reids

Following up to FAdvice

    >What would people here suggest regarding whether or not to get an International
    >Driver's permit when visiting Germany? I have a valid U.S. license and was told
    >that an IDP is "recommended, but not required" in Germany.

As its a tiny part of your costs I would play safe and get one.
Its rarely worth skimping on documentation. After all, if an
official or car hirer wrongly thinks you need it, you're just as
stuffed as if you really did.
--
Mike Reid
Wasdale-Lake district-Thames path-London "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" <-- you can email us@ this site
Eat-walk-Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Johann C. v. Pieverling

Tim Challenger wrote:

    > It's "not required" because there is no *national* regulation on this. It
    > depends on the individual federal German state authorities wether an IDP is
    > required or not. Therefore in some German states you'll be ok, and some you
    > may be fined if you don't have one. Hence "not explicitly nationally
    > required but recommended".

to clear this:

http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch...l/driving.html

in real life nobody will ask you for the translation, if you operate a
normal car.
Might be different if you try to drive a truck or a motorcycle.
The ordinary policeman with no or basic language knowledge maybe has
difficulties to see, if your license covers the class of vehicle.

But even then problems are not very likely because the east is open and
german policemen are getting very skilled in reading foreign documents.

regards

--
pivi

Tim Challenger

On Wed, 22 Sep 2004 12:18:12 +0200, Johann C. v. Pieverling wrote:

    > The ordinary policeman with no or basic language knowledge maybe has
    > difficulties to see, if your license covers the class of vehicle.

And that's the whole point of the IDP.

And as it states clearly in the link you posted,
"During this period[*], the driver is to carry a translation, including
the driver's class, along with the actual license."

As you say, in practice you#re unlikely be asked for it on the street, but
if you do you're buggered.
[*] the first six months.

--
Tim C.