Hello,
I%26#39;m sorry, but regrettably I only speak VERY weak German. However, I have a question that I%26#39;d like clarification on.
I have a US Driver%26#39;s license and have a reservation for a car hire in Munich (Hertz). It will be only for one day, but we have plans to drive the car to Salzburg and areas around that. I checked with Hertz on whether this was allowed (since I rented a Mercedes), and they said it was fine. I%26#39;ve rented many times from this same Hertz office and have never needed more than my passport, US DL, and credit card.
However, the Hertz rep on the phone said I may need an IDP (International Drivers Permit) to drive from Germany to Austria. She said I definitely don%26#39;t need one if I stay in Austria.
She didn%26#39;t seem totally sure, and I couldn%26#39;t see any written references on hertz.com (hence why I called). Limited google%26#39;ing hasn%26#39;t helped either so I come to you experts for assistance.
I know there%26#39;s no border check between the countries, but I%26#39;m more concerned if I get pulled over in Austria or something else happens where I may need to produce an IDP, or would just my US DL and rental contracts be ok?
Thanks so much,
Cheers,
Brian
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Sorry, typo, I meant to say:
However, the Hertz rep on the phone said I may need an IDP (International Drivers Permit) to drive from Germany to Austria. She said I definitely don%26#39;t need one if I stay in Germany.
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%26gt; She said I definitely don%26#39;t need one if I stay in Germany.
Wrong. From a legal point of view it%26#39;s also required in Germany.
…usembassy.gov/acs/drivers_license.html
%26quot;Note that an official translation of the U.S. driver%26#39;s license must be ...%26quot;
official translation = IDP
But note that you can get it also from others sources, e.g. automobile clubs.
The difference between Germany and Austria is only that the German police normally don%26#39;t want to see the IDP at all. Austrian police on the opposite may see a missing IDP as a good opportunity to fine you.
The fact that you normally don%26#39;t need it in Germany has let to the assumption by many, that it is not required at all. Which is however not correct.
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Thanks for the reply, but I%26#39;m interpreting this differently.
1. As of January 1, 1999, U.S. driver%26#39;s license holders must be in possession of a German license six months after entering the country, if they wish to continue driving.
I will have only been in the country 5 days when I drive.
2. U.S. citizens planning to stay less than a year, however, may legally drive in Germany for up to 364 days in Germany on their U.S. driver%26#39;s licenses.
Why would I need IDP when this statement exists?
3. However, they must go to their local driver%26#39;s registration office (Führerscheinstelle) prior to expiration of the six-month period after arrival and notify that office that they want to continue to drive on their U.S. license until their departure (up to 364 days, as stated above).
I%26#39;ll be there only 8 days so no where near the 6 month period.
4. Note that an official translation of the U.S. driver%26#39;s license must be brought to the Führerscheinstelle, as well as proof that you are leaving Germany before a year has passed. Proof could be in the form of a return ticket to the U.S., a work contract with an expiration date before a year, etc.
It seems this note pertains to the 6-12+ month statement and not the 0-6 month period. Also, an IDP alone doesn%26#39;t meet the bringing it to the Führerscheinstelle.
I guess it determines on your interpretation based on the order, but the simple first sentence, %26quot;U.S. citizens planning to stay less than a year, however, may legally drive in Germany for up to 364 days in Germany on their U.S. driver%26#39;s licenses.%26quot; sounds pretty convincing.
I do appreciate your perspective of how Austrian%26#39;s are likely to pursue this documentation whereas Germans don%26#39;t. It%26#39;s only $20USD to get it, and it%26#39;s not about the money, more about the hassle, but it seems I should just do it.
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You are okay in Germany. I know because I got a ticket there last month with only my US drivers license!
The Austrian web site is very clear about an IDP requirement. I would get the IDP in order to avoid a potential fine. I also drove in Austria, so I was %26quot;lucky%26quot; to get my ticket in Germany I foolishly %26quot;assumed%26quot; my US license was adequate in Austria. I have acquired an IDP on other trips to Europe but thought it no longer necessary without doing proper homework.
Also, the German policman giving me my ticket said the same fine would be at least double ($500) in Austria. Yes sir my %26quot;lucky%26quot; day.
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The IDP costs $10 at your local AAA office, plus two passport pix. You just go there, and the whole transaction takes a few minutes. In the grand scheme (i.e.cost of trip) the $10 are peanuts. The IDP is good for one year.
Although I speak fluent German, I always find it reassuring to have my IDP along driving in Germany as well as Austria just on the outside chance that I encounter a policeman whose wife burnt his Semmel (rolls) that morning and he%26#39;s in a bad mood and enjoys giving me a hard time.
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@brianv
Just think logical.
Your US drivers license is only valid in combination with the IDP. The IDP is in first place a translation of license classes, i.e. what you%26#39;re allowed to drive. Not that much about language. This is not about that the police abroad cannot understand English, but they may be not aware of what drivers classes exist in other countries.
I mean in my German license it lists under classes
The rules you listed say just.
1. After 6 months in Germany you need a German license.
2. If you stay no longer in Germany than 12 months you can get an exemption of 1.
3. To get this extension you have to show your %26quot;complete%26quot; valid drivers license to the authorities. This means your US license plus the IDP.
It would be completely senseless to need an IDP only for the months 7-12.
Such rules are by bilateral agreements. As long as the US insists of an IDP for Germans (they do!) the Germans will keep to insist on an IDP for US citizens. At least officially. Just a basic rule of international politics.
A photo of an old - but still valid - German drivers license:
…wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Fuehre…
Quite logical that the US still insists for IDPs for Germans. Or would you now know if this license covers the driving of motorbikes?
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