International Driving Permit
FR

Translated into English.

Original post
BO
Hi there.

I’m planning a getaway to Bali at the end of September. I’m a bit late applying for the international driving permit through the official site. Someone told me about https://international-permit.com/en-us. Is it reliable?

Thanks for your replies.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
The international driving permit is only issued through the official website.
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Hi there,

This site mainly offers a translation backed by some kind of automobile club. A bit like it used to be, you know, back when it worked and we weren’t practically and concretely deprived of the right to drive in certain countries? Is this version of the international permit recognized? 🤪 I don’t know; probably during a check, since there’s no global model for an international permit, as far as I know, right? A police officer in any country doesn’t really know what to expect when checking a driver with a French license plus an international one—they mainly need a translation. It’s with insurance companies that I’d be much more cautious, since they always have an obvious interest in not paying out.

The question is a real headache, though, because the conditions for getting one in France are unacceptable and force well-meaning people into makeshift solutions.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I had looked into a trip. Unofficial permits aren’t valid.

They might get through some checks, but it’s a gamble.

What about insurance if you rent a vehicle with papers that aren’t in order?

The department in charge of permits is indeed the weakest link in French public services. It seems, though, that things have improved lately and the wait times have dropped to under three months. (Which is still huge.)
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
I had looked into a trip. Unofficial permits are not valid.

It’s clear that if you asked those who claim to issue the only official and recognized ones, they couldn’t have told you anything else. Who did you ask? In your opinion, if a Moldovan traveler, for example, applies for an international permit in their country, will they get a model similar to the one obtained in France, and will a police officer in Pakistan or Korea, say, be able to spot the difference and recognize the official one?

What about insurance when renting a vehicle with papers that aren’t in order?

You’re repeating what I said—the real issue is there.

The department in charge of permits is truly the last wheel of the cart in French public services.

Let’s be honest: it’s an absolute disgrace and definitely a service that should be dissolved and handed back to automobile clubs, as it was before.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I didn’t check with the official service, which is probably pretty hard to reach...
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
I didn’t check with the official service, which is probably pretty hard to reach...

So who should I ask then? And how do you recognize an "official" permit abroad? Is there a sign, a global organization that authorizes it?

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
You can just do some research. I can't be bothered to do it again. 🙂
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Do tell us who you checked with, though.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I don’t keep records of every search I do. 😄
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Well, your argument isn’t very convincing, then. It’s tough to get reliable and precise info when your only references are people who have a vested interest, one way or another.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I have no stake in issuing international driving permits—or anywhere else, for that matter. 😛
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Me neither, but I think the question is interesting.

For example, I checked out the Bulgarian travel advice site! It’s easy—it’s in English. About driving licenses, it explains that non-EU residents can get a Bulgarian (and therefore European) license reissued at the consulate in just a few days, delivered by DHL. But there’s not a word about whether an international driving permit is needed. Why? 🤪

So, I took a quick look at the UK site: the equivalent page. There’s loads of info and details about whether you need an IDP or not. And most importantly, how to get one... And surprise—it’s online, commercial, quick, available at PayPoint stores for £5.5.

Canada, a VoyageForum favorite... It also seems commercial and easy there—takes a few days, probably costs a few bucks; check the national CAA site.

It’d be fun to keep benchmarking, but already, it’s clear that the situation we’re dealing with isn’t normal at all, and the comparison is looking pretty harsh.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Feel free to spin through pages if you want. 😉
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
I was rather expecting you to make a positive contribution. However, the investigations seem to suggest that, despite its shady appearance to our skeptical eyes, the site in question might not be as bad as it seems, actually.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
If you want to drive around with fakes, don’t let me stop you. I’m sure you’ll easily find perfectly set-up websites offering, with the best of intentions, driver’s licenses, ID cards, or passports that look more real than real.

Why bother going through government sites, one wonders...

See you in another discussion, Michel.
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
I don’t think these are fakes. They’re IDPs issued by an automobile club, just like in most countries around the world. What’s stopping an international automobile club from issuing an IDP based on a French European license? 🤔 France seems to be the odd one out by claiming a monopoly—one that’s particularly inefficient, at that. Is this just our fate, and do we have to put up with this burden? I don’t know. I’d really like to get to the bottom of this. So, if there’s anyone knowledgeable lurking around to help untangle this mess...

We’re all looking for ways to save money. Here we have something as useless as it is inefficient, which must certainly come at a cost. Typically, this would benefit from being privatized, like it was before and like it is elsewhere. You never know who might pick up ideas tossed out in public.
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
I really liked the response from one of these agencies to a scammed customer:

The acceptance of an IDP depends on the specific driving regulations of each country. We strongly advise travelers to check local requirements before driving abroad. If an official government-issued IDP is mandatory, we recommend obtaining one through the appropriate authorities.

Which in French means: Acceptance of an IDP depends on each country’s specific driving regulations. We highly recommend travelers check local requirements before driving abroad. If an official government-issued IDP is required, we advise getting one from the proper authorities.

So not from the agency...😏

If they themselves admit they don’t provide a valid IDP...
TA Tatra Globetrotter ·
Alright... So now it’s about campaigning and spreading the word to restore our freedom in this area and privatize this service, following the example of the countries I mentioned and in everyone’s best interest.

Michel
AT Attila Globetrotter ·
Don't hesitate at all....

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