Get an International Driver's Permit but Pass on a TripTik

David Travel

Aug 30, 2024 — 2 min read

I am headed to Europe next month where I plan to rent a car. At dinner last week, a friend of mine suggested that I get an International Driver’s Permit claiming that it was required in a bunch of European countries. I thought she was crazy but then I could not stop thinking about it.

What if she is right? I started to worry that the car rental company would not rent me a car if I did not have one or if I was pulled over and the local police would issue me a summons for driving without a valid license in their country. After looking online and speaking with people, I found that not having an International Driver’s Permit is not really a major problem in most European countries. But there were several stories in which people were not permitted to rent a car in France, Italy and Greece. This raised my concern level.

I then went to the AAA website to see what it would take to get the International Driver’s Permit. It turns out that all I need to do is to fill out a one page form, pay a $20 fee, have 2 passport photos and head to the local AAA office (or mail it in). Not a lot of effort. Off I went to the AAA office and it took me less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

I have 2 thoughts on this permit. First, the process is so easy that it is worth it get one. Second, now that I have it, I can rest easy that I will not need it or be asked for a copy on my travels.

Going to AAA reminded me of my youth especially when my parents used to get a TripTik for our car trips. For those of you who are too young, a TripTik used to be a printed road map with step by step directions. I asked about them and the AAA said that they are still popular and provide them to members all the time. That truly amazed me in our day and age of Google Maps and Waze. Somethings will never die.

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