Hey i'm planning an overseas trip mid next year and need to get an International Drivers Permit but from my searches the only way you can get one is if you are a member of RACV/NRMA/ associated groups - seems a little unfair that the only way to get this permit is to be a member of one of these groups. Does anyone know of another way to get one of these?
Getting an International Driving Permit
Comments
Where are you travelling to?
Maybe stating the obvious….you need an International Driving Permit if you are driving in a non-English speaking country.
I just walk in to my local RAC branch in WA to get one, didn't need to be a member. Maybe different in other states. But does seem a bit rude to make you become a member.
You can just rock up and get one. They will charge you more for it if you're not a member.
Depending on where you go, you may not even need one… e.g.
- USA
- UK
- Basically anywhere that licenses in english.Bear in mind, depending on where you go (Indonesia, Malaysia, etc), it doesn't matter what license you hold, you still have to pay a bribe.
In Victoria, RACV just issue one on the spot for ~$35, no membership no fuss.
Those groups are authorised to issue International Driving Permits. You do not have to be a member to get them to issue one for you.
Yeah as said above you just rock up.
In your case you just need to walk into RACV, I did it at the one in the city, i believe its on collins street. You need to bring a passport photo with you and a couple other things I believe..Also, once again as stated above you may not even need one it completely depends on where you are going. If it is an english speaking country such as NZ, USA, UK etc then you dont need one. The IDP is basically just a translation of what your licence says..
The more corrupt countries such as indonesia/thailand etc will basically try take money off you if you only have your australian licence because they will claim they cant understand it.
Be aware that not all countries are signatories to the International Driving Permit scheme. Some countries will accept your home license, others need the IDP and others insist on their own arrangements. This means that in some countries, even if you have an IDP, you are not considered licensed. This is important from a policing perspective, and CRITICAL from a travel insurance perspective. For example, Vietnam is not a signatory to the IDP (or was not when I researched it last year). To legally drive in Vietnam you have to get a Vietnamese drivers license, for which you must be a resident etc etc. Thailand however does recognise the IDP. Of course heaps of people drive or ride in both of those countries without anything but their home licenses anyway and many have no problems. But if something goes wrong, the law will not be on your side and your travel insurance will bail on you as well.
tl;dr: Do careful research on if the IDP is required or not recognised at all by the countries you intend on driving in. Also read the PDS on your travel insurance policy carefully.
Cheers thanks for all the replies, really helped me out!
- Will be heading to the UK but not sure where i will branch off to after there so wanting to be safe and just have one.
I'm pretty sure in the UK and most of the EU, you don't need one.
I never had one. I was pulled over in France or Italy, just showed them my VIC D/L.
Never needed one in the US too.
Think of an International Drivers Licence as a translation document only.
Can say from my experience that I managed to hire a car in USA and Greece with an Australian (vic) driver's licence only.
As others have state above, English speaking countries seem to be ok with it.
An international drivers permit is a massive waste of money, you don't need one. I have never used one anywhere in the world and hired many cars.
I live in SA and dont have to be a member of the RAA, they are just the only place that is allowed to issue them, i would check with them.