# Renting a Car in the US with a foreign driver's license **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 18, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584 "2002-07-18T10:29:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/1 "2002-07-18T10:29:30Z")
I cannot ring the Budget Rental Car agency because they only provide a 1-800 number. I sent an email over a week ago and have gotten no response. I just recently got my French driver’s license. All I had to do was exchange it for my Illinois license, which they took. I still have a photocopy of it. Do I need to have an “International Driver’s License” to rent a car? All the sources on the net are either vague or conflicting. Has anyone had any experience with this? ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/2 "2002-07-18T10:32:02Z")
Just for the record, I’m over 25. Considerably over. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/3 "2002-07-18T10:38:50Z")
No, you don’t. I rented with Budget in San Fran last year with just my British license (and a passport because it doesn’t have a picture on it). The International Driver’s License is a load of nonsense. It’s not a legally binding document, and affords the bearer no extra rights. ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/4 "2002-07-18T10:40:11Z")
Thanks, jimm, that takes a load off my mind. I searched the Budget site thoroughly and there’s no mention of driver’s licenses at all. Just out of curiousity, did you get the car insurance through the car rental place? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/5 "2002-07-18T10:41:01Z")
BTW for Budget, you can do the entire booking online, and only pay when you get/drop off the car. Are you _sure_ the 1-800 number won’t work? It worked fine from Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/6 "2002-07-18T10:43:18Z")
Yes, I paid an optional extra $17 a day or something for insurance, though some credit cards offer free car hire insurance by default (though probably only US ones do). ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/7 "2002-07-18T10:54:45Z")
I’ll have to check into that. We’ll be using Citibank to hire the car. We did make the booking through the internet site and no, you cannot call 1-800 numbers from here. In Japan, you are given the option of dialing a US 1-800 number, but are told you’ll be paying at international rates. When you dial a 1-800 number from here, you’re told to dial 1-888-XXX-XXXX and when you do that, it says you cannot call that number. I’m not sure why. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/8 "2002-07-18T10:59:39Z")
Another suggestion is to call a Budget office in Paris - I’m sure there is one, and either book through that office, or get a number for international enquiries. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/9 "2002-07-18T11:00:54Z")
Yeah, all the IDL does is translate the original document. It’s a worthless ripoff. You had to return your Illinois driver’s license? Odd. Why’d you get a French one to begin with? I think European governments do strongly encourage getting a license in the nation you’re living, but I’ve never bothered (nor has anyone else I know), have been pulled over several times in several countries without any problems with my Illinois license. Just curious. A French license would look cool, anyhow. My favorite are the old British licenses (they were using them through at least the mid-90s, if not still.) They don’t even include a photo. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/10 "2002-07-18T11:04:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anahita \* > \*\*I’ll have to check into that. We’ll be using Citibank to hire the car. We did make the booking through the internet site and no, you cannot call 1-800 numbers from here. > > In Japan, you are given the option of dialing a US 1-800 number, but are told you’ll be paying at international rates. When you dial a 1-800 number from here, you’re told to dial 1-888-XXX-XXXX and when you do that, it says you cannot call that number. > > I’m not sure why. \*\* If it’s a 1-800 number, try dialling it as “1-880” If it’s a 1-888 number, try dialling it as “1-881” That works in Central and Eastern Europe. I’ve a hunch it may work in France, too. Otherwise, if you have a cell phone, many service providers let you do voice-over-IP calls for cheaper by dialling an extra “0” before the country code. So if you dial “00” or “+” for international call, substitute “000” or “+0.” I’ve found that 1-800 and 1-888 numbers work normally via IP. ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/11 "2002-07-18T11:23:31Z")
Thanks, but the phone number does not work. I’m not sure why. You are obligated to get a French license if you’ve lived in France for one year. Fortunately, Illinois is one of the dozen or so states that has reciprocity with France. I didn’t have to sit an exam or take a driver’s test. Yes, they take your IL DL and advise you that when/if you repatriate, you can turn it in to the nearest consulate and they’ll give you a form to take to the DL place to get your IL DL reinstated. Also, having a French DL will make it easier when we move to Ireland. Hopefully, I won’t have to take an exam there! Eep, they drive on the WRONG side of the road and the steering wheel is on the WRONG side, too! ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/12 "2002-07-18T13:23:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anahita \* > \*\*I cannot ring the Budget Rental Car agency because they only provide a 1-800 number. I sent an email over a week ago and have gotten no response. \*\* Next time you need to call a 1-800 number, just use [net2phone.com](http://net2phone.com) or [dialpad.com](http://dialpad.com) or any of those internet to telephone services. Calls to 1-800 are free from these services, but you do need to have an account with them. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/13 "2002-07-19T08:08:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anahita \* > \*\*Thanks, but the phone number does not work. I’m not sure why. > > You are obligated to get a French license if you’ve lived in France for one year. Fortunately, Illinois is one of the dozen or so states that has reciprocity with France. I didn’t have to sit an exam or take a driver’s test. > > \*\* Same law here in Hungary. But you have to retake the test, and its in Hungarian, and yadda yadda yadda, so not a single expat bothers. Maybe France is more stringent with violators. Je ne sais pas. I’m not exactly sure how you can enforce the law, anyway. The advantage is, though, if you get pulled over in the States, cops often have a difficulty deciphering your foreign paperwork and occassionally will just give up on you. At least that’s what’s happened several times to my German friend in Chicago. If the Citibank numbers don’t work, even with the substituted 1-880 prefix, there should be a non-toll-free number listed. I know their website lists numbers for branches in France, and domestic numbers in the States. If you have a Citibank card, there should be both a toll-free and “If calling outside the US or Canada” number on the back of it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/14 "2002-07-19T08:12:22Z")
Hey…I called 'em for you. The customer service rep at Budget said there will be no problem for you to rent on a French driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/15 "2002-07-19T09:33:47Z")
Thanks, **pulykamell** , how kind of you! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/16 "2002-07-19T09:39:51Z")
Well, I did want to answer the OP ya know. 🙂 (Besides, the call cost perhaps a quarter or two. I think I could spare one in the pursuit of knowledge.) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/17 "2002-07-19T15:29:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jjimm \* > No, you don’t. I rented with Budget in San Fran last year with just my British license (and a passport because it doesn’t have a picture on it). > > The International Driver’s License is a load of nonsense. It’s not a legally binding document, and affords the bearer no extra rights. Incorrect. It is a specific document which is recognized in some jurisdictions and not recognized in some other jurisdictions. Also, as a recognized document in some jurisdictions, the IDL actually is a legal document in those jurisdictions. Japan honours the IDL but not the foreign jurisdiction’s DL (that was the situation when I was stationed in Japan). California is not a jurisdiction which recognizes the IDL; however, according to [http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl\_info.htm#idp:](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#idp:) > [@](#): > > International Driving Permits > > The State of California does not recognize an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a valid driver license. California does recognize a valid driver license that is issued by a foreign jurisdiction (country, state, territory) of which the license holder is a resident. > > The IDP is only a translation of information contained on a person’s foreign driver license and is not required to operate a motor vehicle in California. Citations issued to a person in California who has an IDP, but does not have a California driver license will be placed on the Department of Motor Vehicle database. Thus, your valid UK license was what you needed to operate a motor vehicle in this state. Although this list, [http://www.iadc-club.com/pr2/clist.asp](http://www.iadc-club.com/pr2/clist.asp), shows the United States as a county which honours the IDL, it really should’ve listed which states in the US honour it as at least one (California) doesn’t. In short, the IDL is not a load of nonsense. It’s valid in some areas (Germany {when I was stationed there 1979~1982}, Japan {when I was stationed there 1990~1996} for two) and not valid in some areas (California for one). ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/18 "2002-07-19T15:53:36Z")
Sorry, my bad. I got one of these things a few years ago, and it wasn’t useful in any of the dozens of countries I hauled it thru, hence my disdain. Interestingly, on further research, I find that a whole raft of countries signed up to the [1949 UN Convention on Road Traffic](http://www.offshore-manual.com/ConventionTraffic.html), which says: > [@](#): > > The international driving permit shall, after the driver has given proof of his competence, be delivered by the competent authority of a Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by a duly authorized association, and sealed or stamped by such authority or association. _The holder shall be entitled to drive in all Contracting States without further examination motor vehicles coming within the categories for which the permit has been issued._ [my emphasis] Since the US put its moniker on the convention’s Final Act, is California in breach of this resolution? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/19 "2002-07-19T15:59:45Z")
No doubt. We’re kind of (in)famous for that, what with having the City of Bezerkely and all. I’ll hazard a guess if you don’t mind: the IDL is probably honoured for someone who drove a vehicle registered or rented out of state but not honoured for a lawful resident of the state. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/renting-a-car-in-the-us-with-a-foreign-drivers-license/119584/20 "2002-07-19T16:14:28Z")
Anyway, whatever the law _actually is_, I’d rather comply with what a State Trooper _thinks it is_… 😉