Can I drive with a European driver's license in California?

score:8

Accepted answer

Under the Vienna Convention of Road Traffic, drivers licenses from one country are formally accepted by other countries - as long as both countries are signatories to the convention. The US is NOT a signatory to the convention, although most (all?) European countries are. However, most US states accept most all foreign licenses, with the exception of the state of Georgia, which requires an international driving permit.

However there then becomes the problem of proving you have a valid license. If your home-country license is in English, or contains an English translation on it (as many EU licenses do) then that is all that you will need.

If your home-country license is not in English then you will need to make use of one of the other features of the Vienna Convention - the "International Drivers Permit". This is not a license in itself, but in effect translation of your home-country license into English (and several other languages). The IDP must be obtained in your home country before you travel - exactly how will depend on your country but Google should be able to tell you how to obtain one. Note that the IDP is NOT a license in it's own right - it's just a translation of your license, so it is only valid when used in conjunction with your real license.

The above is true both for the legal requirements for driving, as well as for rental car companies who will need to see your English drivers license, or your non-english drivers license plus the IDP when you are picking up the car.

Upvote:3

I advise playing exactly by the rules defined by the rental companies. The experience of other renters cannot be relied on.

Use the published information of your proposed rental company. For example, from Hertz:

An acceptable, valid driver's license issued from your country of residence must be presented at the time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued from your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a Hertz vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.

Note that there may be a requirement to produce an additional UK Licenses Summary document, which must be obtained by you from the UK licensing authorities website. Hertz do indicate that this is required by them only in a small number of countries, not including the USA. I have never been asked for it but I always obtain one before travel. Again check your renter's terms and conditions in case they do require it.

Similarly, even if most folks with (say) a French language license are not asked for the International Permit I would still get one. All you need to foul up your plans is an over-zealous employee.

I am not aware of any extra rental charges solely because of having a non-US license.

Upvote:4

From personal experience, most country's drivers licenses work without any ado. I have been laughed at for showing an international license, even though that is formally the correct approach.

Be aware that they rent hundreds of cars every day to Germans, French, British, etc. citizens, and not a quarter of them bother to prepare in any way.

However, there is no guarantee- the formal correct way is the international license, even though it might end being a waste of time and money.

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