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Attention frequent Brento non-EU visitors: get your IDP or Italian DL translation before arriving in Tiramisu land.

Carabinieri & Polizia Locale are getting into the nasty habit of giving 400EUR fines for driving on non-EU license without IDP (international driving permit) or "certified translation" as per Italian law requirements. Same applies to rental car companies - they seem to ask for one more often now, explaining that if cops stop and fine you, they will also impound a car since you can't go on driving it without a valid license (i.e. IDP or translation). There are 2 ways to deal with it: one is obviously IDP (which is really just a certified translation of your national license), another is getting an official Italian translation (as on the photo above). For us poor American expats, IDP is only valid for 1 year. You can get it by mail, however you have to physically mail them a paper form, 2 photographs and $20 check, and then wait a couple of months. Us Russian expats can get an IDP for 3 years but only in person i.e. back home in Russia. I've looked into "official translation" alternative - this was an excellent idea as it doesn't expire and can be done by email, but proved a bit of a challenge to find a court translator. After spending half an offshore shift on googling and talking to a bunch of greedy idiots, a good one was finally located in Palermo who'd do it for 35 EUR right away (20 of those going into court stamps). I've emailed photos of our DLs and send a quick Paypal. PDFs of the translations were in my email the next afternoon. Now, Poste Italiane is another story - it took 24 days for the originals to arrive in Ljubljana (1h drive from Trieste...) via certified Posta Raccomandata. Your mileage may vary here, and DHL might prove a better option if you want it quick. I recon a printout of the PDF would be enough anyway, as you legally have an option to produce a forgotten driver license (or translation) within a couple of weeks after getting stopped by cops to avoid paying the fine, and they know it.

I hope this will help you to drive fast and avoid the hassle Should you need translator's contacts, i'll gladly send them by PM.

bsbd! Yuri.

For US residents, the IDP is available at your local AAA office, and costs $20. I get one every year, and it takes me about 5 minutes to get in and out of their office.

I've only had mine checked once (three years ago). It was basically a check point where they were pulling over tourists just as we left the Autostrade, and asking for their permit. I have no idea how they knew which cars to pull over (are rental cars given different tags in Italy?), but they certainly seemed to know exactly which cars were rentals.

Is a AAA membership required or can a non-member scoop one up?

If not, would this be a trip to the DMV?

Thanks Tom!

Pretty sure non-members can buy them from AAA. I think it might cost 5 or 10 bucks more.