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I rented a car from Hertz last year at the Santiago airport. The clerk there needed only my driver's license to rent the car, but he told me that if the Guardia Civil stops you and you don't have the International Driver's License, the fine is/can be 500 euros (I guess it depends on the mood of the GC agent).I just heard from a friend that she got to Santiago and wanted to rent a car to go out to Muxia and Finisterre. But she couldn’t do it because she didn’t have her driver’s license with her. Luckily, someone else in her group had brought one and was able to rent the car. No need to bring that big bulky AAA “international drivers license”, just your regular license will work (at least if you are coming from the US).
I always carry mine, not so much for planned driving trips, but because you never know when something might come up that would make it a godsend.
I would agree. For a short (one day) rental, I probably would just risk it. We were renting for more than a week and I felt safer having the AAA copy.That’s a good heads up. I understand the risk of not having the AAA copy (though I have bought cars in both Spain and Portugal, rented many cars in both countries, crossed borders when borders were checkpoints, and never had to show it over the past 40 years). Since I would only be using the license in case of emergency, it’s a risk I would take. This is kind of like the debate about taking your poles on board, and so long as the risk is understood, I think it’s up to the individual.
What is the other organization, Rick? I usually bring one when I am renting cars in Europe, but I would love to give my money to an entity other than what is essentially a shill for the car and roads industry.The US AAA auto club is one of two organizations in the US authorized by the State Department to issue an International Driver Permit. In most cases it is used as a translation of your state driver license but it can be used to drive in some countries. Spain requires a translation of American licenses and so a IDP may be the most convenient way of doing that.
AAA IDP International Driving Permit
Planning an international trip where you will be driving? Get your international driving permit through AAA. When accompanied by a valid US driver license, an IDP allows you to drive abroad. Your IDP is a valid form of identification in 150 countries worldwide and contains your name, photo and...www.aaa.com
You're out of luck Laurie; according to this ThePointsGuy article (September 2022) the other organization is out of the IDP business.What is the other organization, Rick?
I can give you a tip when you are stopped by the Guardia Civil.I'm pretty sure we had IDPs on our first trip to Spain in '88 but I don't remember the police using them when Peg got a ticket. First the background and then I move on to the fun part.
We were on a new toll road heading to Barcelona and ran out of cash because the government figured it could pay back the cost of the construction through tolls on the first 10,000 cars using it. So we got off it and on a small road to nowhere; there were absolutely no villages. It became dark. Peg passed a truck and shortly two motorcycle cops pulled us over and asked for fine money. This was all in Spanish which Peg had no exposure too then so she was on edge. I explained that we only had travelers checks and were on that road looking to cash them. They asked us to follow them eventually pulling into a hotel where I got $200 of pesetas (we got to keep a bit over half).
Now here's the fun part. The police are in the dark parking lot writing out the ticket when I return to a nervous Peg. At one point the cop is writing something down and she is worried about it. "What's that?" "Peg, that's your birthday." At the end Peg insists that the cop show his ID. So I ask. He takes it out and shines his flashlight on it. Peg makes a little inhaling sound. The cop looks at me quizzically. "Crea que tu es muy guapo" I told him. Peg was so nervous and upset that she never noticed that this cop's looks would have had Eric Estrada from that CHiPs TV show hiding his face in shame.
I've had over $100 in pleasure telling this story over the years.
I probably should have used the subjective with the guapo statement but I still cant use it.
Arres! Lucky you. It's an amazing place, tiny, remote, and the greatest atmosphere. The village restaurant is good, too. I got in early and had an excellent lunch. When will you be there?Good reminder! We need to rent a car this year because our albergue service will be in Arres and it is a remote hilltop town on the French Way through Aragon. We cook with pilgrims there so need it to get groceries for evening pilgrim meals and breakfast!
June 1 to 15. We stayed last year on our Camino and found it to be the kind of place we love--donativo, shared supper, evening meditation. Its like a Grañón with bunkbeds instead of mattresses on the floor.Arres! Lucky you. It's an amazing place, tiny, remote, and the greatest atmosphere. The village restaurant is good, too. I got in early and had an excellent lunch. When will you be there?
dont know for certain but I believe a UK licence will not work and international may be required. Check before you go if you plan to car hireI just heard from a friend that she got to Santiago and wanted to rent a car to go out to Muxia and Finisterre. But she couldn’t do it because she didn’t have her driver’s license with her. Luckily, someone else in her group had brought one and was able to rent the car. No need to bring that big bulky AAA “international drivers license”, just your regular license will work (at least if you are coming from the US).
I always carry mine, not so much for planned driving trips, but because you never know when something might come up that would make it a godsend.
According to www.gov.uk...dont know for certain but I believe a UK licence will not work and international may be required. Check before you go if you plan to car hire
This is true. Anyone will rent you the vehicle but legally, to drive it, you need that international DL which is very inexpensive. Even for a scooter rental.I rented a car from Hertz last year at the Santiago airport. The clerk there needed only my driver's license to rent the car, but he told me that if the Guardia Civil stops you and you don't have the International Driver's License, the fine is/can be 500 euros (I guess it depends on the mood of the GC agent).
Just for info, I hired a car from Hertz at Madrid airport with just my U.K. photo card licence three weeks ago. Absolutely no problem.dont know for certain but I believe a UK licence will not work and international may be required. Check before you go if you plan to car hire
Seems I was thinking about UK licence holders living in Spain. UK licence Ok for short term visitors. Never bring mine, dont like driving on other side of roadJust for info, I hired a car from Hertz at Madrid airport with just my U.K. photo card licence three weeks ago. Absolutely no problem.
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