International driving permit

**cornishfrogboy** · 21 Jan 20, 08:17 AM

We are driving from Seattle Tacoma to Vancouver at Easter.

Do I need an International Drivers Permit to drive in Washington State ? From reading, this would appear the case.. unless any of you folk can tell me differently.

If so, is the Post Office the simplest place to get one?

floridasgirl · 21 Jan 20, 08:37 AM

As far as I'm aware you dont need one anywhere in the USA. DH drove from Washington to Virginia a few years ago and didnt get one anyway!

neilhd · 21 Jan 20, 09:36 AM

I believe you only need these things if your license is not in English. Prepared to be wrong though.

**cornishfrogboy** · 21 Jan 20, 09:55 AM

I have just found that they are �5.50 at the Post Office and therefore, I will invest in one. When I look it up, they do seem to be required in Washington State (not California , where I am in the days before) and therefore, I would look a mug in the case that one is demanded... plus my wife might lose it a tiny bit.

At the end of the day, �5.50 is less than the cost of a (decent) pasty and a saffron bun.

**cornishfrogboy** · 21 Jan 20, 10:59 AM

I am now the proud owner of an International driving permit.. or IDP as we international drivers refer to them.

Still as. clear as mud on whether I need it.. but can�t take the risk!

fiona88 · 22 Jan 20, 02:52 PM

I usually take one to the US regardless of whether the state says I should, 5.50 against whatever insurance fine print I didn't read, they look so dodgy though prit stick photo and a stamp 😆

**cornishfrogboy** · 22 Jan 20, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by fiona88

I usually take one to the US regardless of whether the state says I should, 5.50 against whatever insurance fine print I didn't read, they look so dodgy though prit stick photo and a stamp 😆

I based my decision partly on your reasoning.

It took 5 minutes and cost me �5.50. In the scale of things it is pennies.. If embarrassed at the hire car checkout, the fall out would be enormous.
Mine has a few Post Office stamps on the Check list. What I fail to see is how the Permit was recorded for registration purposes as the only place with my detail recorded is handwritten on the Permit itself.

coast2coast · 23 Jan 20, 01:52 PM

I have driven in every state on mainland America (The lower 48) and have only used my normal UK driving license.

claireyfairy8 · 23 Jan 20, 01:53 PM

As long as your DL is in English, you do not need an IDP.

23 Jan 20, 01:52 PM	#8
	23 Jan 20, 01:52 PM coast2coast Getting to know the DIBB
coast2coast Getting to know the DIBB Join Date: Jul 11 Location: Wales	I have driven in every state on mainland America (The lower 48) and have only used my normal UK driving license. __________________ Only Alaska to visit and I have completed all 50 States

23 Jan 20, 01:53 PM	#9
	23 Jan 20, 01:53 PM claireyfairy8 Apprentice Imagineer
claireyfairy8 Apprentice Imagineer Join Date: May 18 Location: Scotland claireyfairy8's Reviews Restaurant Reviews: 6 theDIBB Guidebook Pages Created: 1	As long as your DL is in English, you do not need an IDP.