Reply To: Trip suggestions – Miami & Orlando 2025

[Scott]

LD27 wrote:

NorthernLass wrote:

The only time I’ve needed the print out in recent years was ironically at GLA a couple of months ago!

If your rental agreement doesn’t refer to an IDP, you won’t need one for the insurance that comes with that. If for some reason you were driving your own vehicle in the US, there might be a requirement to have one, but again that would depend on who was covering you.

I’ve hired many cars in UK and abroad (including the US) and for the first time ever at Inverness and Newcastle this year I was asked for “my code” to check if I had any penalty points. I explained that if I had any penalty points I wouldn’t have a paper licence! Neither location would accept that and I had to get a code. Never been asked anywhere else.

We’ve owned 3 vehicles in the US, all with different insurance companies, and none of them has required us to have an IDP.

It’s interesting to hear of hire companies requiring the check-code, as this isn’t something I’ve encountered, so good to be aware in case it’s needed.

Note though that this isn’t the same as the International Driving Permit being discussed here. The IDP shows your entitlement to drive, whereas the check-code enables interested parties to view your endorsements.

Also, with regard to you still using a paper driving licence, endorsements ceased being recorded on these about 10 years ago so although you can continue using the licence until it expires (or you change name or address), the details your endorsements are held only electronically.