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Do you need an International driving permit when you visit Spain

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 12:46pm
20 replies740 views9 members subscribed
stuarty

Posts: 9

5 helpful points

Location: Benissa

Joined: 30 May 2019

My wife recently rented a car at alicante Airport and was told she need an international driving permit

On uk gov website it says not required for EU countries for visitors ?

Has anyone had problems 

davidsnoxell

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 2:53pm

davidsnoxell

Helpful member

Posts: 212

103 helpful points

Location: Lliber

Joined: 18 Sep 2015

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 2:53pm

Not required according to the uk gov website

Darro

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 5:35pm

Darro

Super helpful member

Posts: 1452

1260 helpful points

Location: Catral

Joined: 8 Sep 2021

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 5:35pm

If demanded by the particular hire company their rules trump all.

Which proves that you must ALWAYS read the T&C's.

killjoy

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 5:38pm

killjoy

Super helpful member

Posts: 3232

1849 helpful points

Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 4 Nov 2017

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 5:38pm

The rental company or it's unqualified employee can ask for whatever they want, and you can accept or walk away. And that's it. Don't try to convince anyone, stupidity cannot be beaten.

BeniSnowbird

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 7:59pm

BeniSnowbird

Very helpful member

Posts: 490

777 helpful points

Location: Benidorm

Joined: 18 Aug 2019

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 7:59pm

killjoy wrote on Sat Jan 1, 2022 5:38pm:

The rental company or it's unqualified employee can ask for whatever they want, and you can accept or walk away. And that's it. Don't try to convince anyone, stupidity cannot be beaten.

Very correct.

Reminds me of a saying my dear old dad used to mutter;


Never argue with an idiot, they’ll drag you down to their level & beat you with experience

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Gloria68

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 9:02pm

Gloria68

Helpful member

Posts: 238

107 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 7 Oct 2020

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 9:02pm

stuarty wrote on Sat Jan 1, 2022 12:46pm:

My wife recently rented a car at alicante Airport and was told she need an international driving permit

On uk gov website it says not required for EU countries for visitors ?

Has anyone had problems 

Hi

I bought one near end of 2019 because we were going into Brexit,  did not need it .We bought one this year for our trip as we were going to rent a  car, but we did not rent in the end as cars were expensive, I have read on the forum someone was denied a rental because they did not have the licence, they are five pound  each at the post office, take passport photo and driving licence, it last for a year, its better to be safe than sorry. , 

Gloria68

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 9:04pm

Gloria68

Helpful member

Posts: 238

107 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 7 Oct 2020

Posted: Sat Jan 1, 2022 9:04pm

stuarty wrote on Sat Jan 1, 2022 12:46pm:

My wife recently rented a car at alicante Airport and was told she need an international driving permit

On uk gov website it says not required for EU countries for visitors ?

Has anyone had problems 

Hi

Actually meant to say she argued with me in the post office it was not needed, just insist if they say you dont need it. 

Simon 135

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 12:29pm

Simon 135

Helpful member

Posts: 131

65 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 25 Aug 2021

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 12:29pm

stuarty wrote on Sat Jan 1, 2022 12:46pm:

My wife recently rented a car at alicante Airport and was told she need an international driving permit

On uk gov website it says not required for EU countries for visitors ?

Has anyone had problems 

Hey, you don’t need it to drive a car here but car hiressay they want it. I got it just in case but have hired 5 cars from different companies in Alicante airport over last 3 months and all said they needed it in T&Cs but none have asked for it as yet, but I always take it along…

Gloria68

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 1:10pm

Gloria68

Helpful member

Posts: 238

107 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 7 Oct 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 1:10pm

Simon 135 wrote on Sun Jan 2, 2022 12:29pm:

Hey, you don’t need it to drive a car here but car hiressay they want it. I got it just in case but have hired 5 cars from different companies in Alicante airport over last 3 months and all said they needed it in T&Cs but none have asked for it as yet, but I always take it along…

Hi

Someone put on the forum Gold-car refused them car hire, its best to have as the cost is not that mich, and one day someoen will ask

Simon 135

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 1:23pm

Simon 135

Helpful member

Posts: 131

65 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 25 Aug 2021

Posted: Sun Jan 2, 2022 1:23pm

Gloria68 wrote on Sun Jan 2, 2022 1:10pm:

Hi

Someone put on the forum Gold-car refused them car hire, its best to have as the cost is not that mich, and one day someoen will ask

We used Goldcar and they didn’t ask for it, but you only have to come across someone who’s having bad day or doesn’t like the cut of your jib and insists on following the rules and your trip/day could be ruined… 

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