I reside in the UK and have a current US driving license - can I drive in Italy?

Hi there,
It's been a while since I posted. Hope you are all well.

I'm in a bit of a panic and not getting any answers from the interweb so was hoping you could help.

I reside in the UK but have a US address and current US driving license. I am travelling to Italy in a weeks time and just found out that I will need to get an international driving permit. Two questions:

--how or where can I get an international driving permit in a week? (AA says it can't help)
--am I breaking the law by using my American license in Italy? I am still an American citizen and the license is valid, but I do reside in the UK.

Thanks in advance.
Mimsy2000

Mimsy-

Is your US licence is valid?  How long do you intend to drive in Italy (moving to Italy or visiting and hiring a car)?

How long have you resided in the UK?

Hi there
My US license is valid (renewed it about a year ago). I have resided in the UK for over 4 years.

I am going to Italy for one week - a mini-holiday.

There's a lot of confusion over things such as the International Driving Permit and the old insurance "green card," not helped by the fact that the rules change regularly and it's often possible to get two different answers from official sources!  

For what it's worth, I don't think the fact that you are living in Britain is of much relevance.  It's more a case of whether Italy accepts a U.S. license without the official translation which the IDP provides.    A quick trawl on the net seems to suggest that they do require an IDP with an American license, and that some car rental companies will insist upon seeing one anyway.

I can't find anything specific about it on the Italian Embassy website, but it might be worth a quick phone call or an e-mail to ask:

Tel:  (202) 612-4400

E-mail: stampa@itwash.org

Website:  www.italyemb.org


That's the Italian Embassy in the U.S., of course.  I wouldn't even bother trying to ask the Italian Embassy in Britain, as they'll probably not have the correct information to hand (and those with a new-style U.K. license definitely do not need an IDP).

My US license is valid (renewed it about a year ago). I have resided in the UK for over 4 years.

I wouldn't mention that latter fact to anyone.  They might ask why you don't have a U.K. license.     

I found this. Hope it's of some help:

http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/driving/international-driving-permit.htm

Modified to add that the above says you can get your IDP from AA.

do you drive in the UK on your US licence?

I am surprised that you have been told that you need an international licence to rent an Italian car.  In the past I have rented an Italian car on my US licence, and another time on my UK licence (just remember to bring the entire licence- photocard PLUS paper counterpart).

where did you learn about needing an international licence?

agreed, paul.

i was a bit surprised after reading my own post at how bad it is that i've not gotten my UK license yet. i'm clearly loosing all my american leanings

I am surprised that you have been told that you need an international licence to rent an Italian car.  In the past I have rented an Italian car on my US licence, and another time on my UK licence (just remember to bring the entire licence- photocard PLUS paper counterpart).

The link I posted says that Italy is the only European country to require that you have an IDP. I guess it's a new regulation. Not sure why, but there ya go.

i've never driven in the uk with my us license. i know you can only do so if you've been here under one year.

i found out about the need for an international driving permit from here: http://www.italiantourism.com/

as well as the US embassy: http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/acs/uk/driving-uk.htm

belindaloo - thanks for the url, was very good.

problem seems to be that the only way to get one is through the AAA or NAC and that all has to be handled by mail, which takes a long time and is always prone to problems. my mother is an AAA member in california so I'm going to see if she can get one on my behalf.

thanks for your help

problem seems to be that the only way to get one is through the AAA or NAC and that all has to be handled by mail, which takes a long time and is always prone to problems. my mother is an AAA member in california so I'm going to see if she can get one on my behalf.

Good luck to you! Hopefully, your mother can get you a license in person and mail it to you ASAP! Enjoy your time in Italy ... I'm very jealous!

i've never driven in the uk with my us license. .

Ah, O.K., I didn't consider that possibility.  

The link I posted says that Italy is the only European country to require that you have an IDP. I guess it's a new regulation. Not sure why, but there ya go.

I'd say it's more likely that Italy is the only remaining western European country which hasn't repealed the requirement to have one.    

The IDP was requied by many other western European countries in the past, including those driving on a U.K. license (before we adopted the common European format).

Hi there
I just thought I'd follow-up on this issue.

I managed to get my International Driving Permit on time and drove around in a small car in the mountains of Tuscany. Beautiful. Sigh...

For those who need the IDP, AAA will allow a parent or relative in the States to get an IDP on your behalf provided you mail them passport photos, a copy of your US driver's license and the AAA IDP form signed. see here: http://www.csaa.com/travel/internationaldrivingpermit/0,1445,1003040700,00.html

Also, beware any organisation other than AAA who says they can provide IDP's. Apparently only AAA can provide these for American citizens and anything else is a fraud.

Cheers
Mimsy

Those with a U.K. license can obtain an IDP via either the AA (Automobile Association) or the RAC (Royal Automobile Club).    I've never heard of any other organizations being authorized to issue them in the U.K., but it's possible.