When
most of us are planning an international trip we tend to think about
all the pleasant things in store, like sightseeing, sampling local
cuisine, and learning about another culture. But if your trip involves
driving, it's a good idea to give some thought to ensuring that you're
prepared for a couple of less-than-ideal situations that you may face on
the roads in during your travels in foreign lands.
While
on your trip, you could get stopped by local police for a traffic
violation, or you could become involved in a traffic accident. In cases
like this, it can be extremely helpful to have an international driving permit.
In
many foreign countries, a U.S. driver's license isn't recognized on its
own. An international driving permit is required, and this document is
accepted as a valid form of identification in 186 countries around the
globe. You don't need one if you're traveling to our nearest neighbors,
though the Canadian government politely states that,"if you have a valid
license from your home country, you’ll probably be able to use this to
drive in Canada for a short time after you arrive." Stay for an extended
period and you will need to obtain an international driving permit.
Driving in Mexico can be done on an American license.
It's
important to remember that an international driving permit isn’t
intended to replace your trusty U.S. driver's license. If you're stopped
by the law in a country that requires foreign drivers to have such
permits, you'll be expected to present both it and your state-issued
U.S. driver's license.
The Benefits of an International Driving Permit
Obviously,
if you're driving without an international driving permit in a country
that legally requires one, no one will be the wiser—unless you wind up
having to interact with local police while you're behind the wheel. Many
people have driven in foreign countries without ever getting stopped by
the authorities. This might encourage you to roll the dice and skip
getting an international permit before your trip. Think twice before
doing so.
There
are several good reasons for obtaining an international driving permit
if you plan on driving while visiting a foreign country. Here are some
of the benefits:
- Reduces or eliminates the risk of being fined. All non-resident drivers need an international driving permit to legally drive a vehicle in many countries. If you don't have one and you get stopped by law enforcement, you could face a steep fine.
- Simplifies communication with local authorities. This is especially helpful in countries where English isn't spoken. An international driving permit presents the information on your U.S driver's license in 10 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, German, Arabic, Italian, Swedish, and Portuguese). This hopefully, make any interactions you have with local authorities go smoothly.
- Required by major rental car agencies. Are you planning on renting a car during your trip? If so, know that most major rental car companies require renters to provide a valid international driving permit. This is true even in countries where foreign drivers aren't legally required to obtain this document.
- Provides peace of mind. For some people, knowing that they have the possibility of being fined for doing something unlawful can be stressful create stress. Having an international driving permit while driving in a foreign country gives you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're on the right side of the law.
In the U.S. you can get an international driving permit from only two organizations: the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance(AATA) and International Traffic Control Association (ITCA) These are the only two outlets in the U.S. that are legally allowed to provide them.
An
international driving permit is accepted in 186 countries, from
Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Some of these countries don't recognize a U.S.
driver's license, but do officially recognize an international driving
permit. Others accept a U.S. driver's license, but they nonetheless
require the local translation that an international driving permit
provides.
Note
that in Brazil and Uruguay, instead of an international driving permit,
you'll need to get a document known as an Inter-American Driving
Permit. It's identical to the international driving permit in cost and
function, and it can be obtained from the same outlets.
One Last Thing
Remember
to consider local laws and driving culture when getting behind the
wheel in a foreign country. Like the differences you find in language
and in personal interactions, driving behavior can differ greatly from
what you are used to in the U.S. You can get information on this subject
from the country's embassy or consulates in the United States, or from a
car rental company in your foreign destination. Also, you can use these
sources to find out about areas that aren't safe for tourists so you'll
know which sketchy neighborhoods to avoid when you're out driving.
But
you should also expect to use your powers of observation when you get
on the road overseas; drive conservatively and note how the traffic
moves and how the locals treat each other on their own roads. You'll
want to understand their driving style so that you don't do something
that causes an accident.
That's all there is to getting an international driving permit. Happy driving, and enjoy your trip!
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