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International Driving Permit , Driving in Europe, IDP
International Driving Permit:
Car Rental and the IDP
Car rental companies ask only for your license to drive in your home country.  
There are countries in Europe that do require by law that non Europeans carry the
IDP, however.  
How scrupulously they
enforce these laws is a question and often depends on
the officers ability to read the language on your existing license.  It is
best to
carry the IDP
, since it is easy to obtain and not expensive.
AAA, the American Automobile Association, has been sanctioned by the
US Government
to issue these Driving Permits and does so for $15.00 and two
passport type photos that you provide or that they take at the time of application.
The permit is in
many languages and will prove that you are licensed to drive in
your home country in case you are stopped.  
International Driver's Permit, Required or Not to Drive In Europe
The International
Driving Permit  or
IDP is not needed to
rent an auto in
Europe but Driving in
Italy Spain, Portugal,
and in the former
Soviet Union
countries will require
the IDP.
In France, the  
International Driving
Permit, though not
required, could be
helpful if you will
drive in remote
areas.
An exit sign showing the
route number of the feeder
road with the towns listed.  
The
speed limit is listed on a
white sign with a red circle:
90 KM per hour or about 56
miles per
Car Rental agencies will rent without
the International Driving Permit but in
countries other than France you are
safer to have one
Standard shift rental will be
the least expensive but
require skill with the clutch
in the hillside villages of
Europe.
France does not require non European drivers to
carry the
International Driving Permit
Driving in France is done on the right side and is  
similar to the USA, Canada, and Mexico
Highway Driving in France and Italy differs little from US, Canada, and Mexico
Marked Speed Limits similar Traffic
Laws, Rest stops for Gassing up.
On side roads The Rotary will display directions to
villages and cities
Return the rental car with an empty tank?  Look
over the Policy details closely when renting,
In Canada, the CAA issues the International driving
Permit.
While driving in Europe you should have both the IDP
and your drivers license from your home country with
you.
No Passing
for
commercial
vehicles
No
Passing
zone ends
Highway or
Expressway
Intersection
with right
of way to
right
road
showing
right of way
Rotary
with yield
to traffic in
rotary
Check out Auto
Europe's Rentals in
France
Check  Auto Europe's
prices and availability,
gas or diesel models
Auto Europe offers selection, price, and ease of booking on the web. . Shop online well ahead of your
trip and choose
diesel or gas, luggage space, standard or automatic, two door, four door and other
options.  Renting for more than 17 days; see their options
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns.  
Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental
are available in all large cities and at many
TGV Train Stations..
Information for
those
renting a
vehicle in
Provence
Check  Auto
Europe's RV rentals
International Driving Permit, Italy:
Car rental companies in Italy ask only for your
license to drive in your home country.  Italian law
requires, however,  that non Europeans carry the
IDP,