Driving in Portugal

[Anonymous]

Do I really need an international drivers license or will my US one be sufficient? Rental company website isn’t clear.

[Anonymous]

A US license is all you need.

[Anonymous]

I got one for our trip last to Portugal Summer, but it was never needed. Not on the mainland and not in the Azores.

I've also rented cars in Germany and Italy on other vacations and never needed it.

But I keep getting one anyway.

[Anonymous]

We rented a car in Azores this summer and my husband used his US license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rented a car in Azores this summer and my husband used his US license.

By any chance were you the woman who nearly challenged my wife to a fight at the pineapple plantation because my wife was visibly annoyed at you for ignoring your crying and screaming toddlers while we sat there not getting any service for the first 20 minutes after being on a flight from Lisbon that was several hours late? I think your husband had on Orioles gear.

If it was, feel fortunate there wasn't a fight. My wife was quite a bit larger than you, grew up on the south side of Chicago, and I'm quite certain would have kicked your butt.

If not, never mind. Just checking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We rented a car in Azores this summer and my husband used his US license.

By any chance were you the woman who nearly challenged my wife to a fight at the pineapple plantation because my wife was visibly annoyed at you for ignoring your crying and screaming toddlers while we sat there not getting any service for the first 20 minutes after being on a flight from Lisbon that was several hours late? I think your husband had on Orioles gear.

If it was, feel fortunate there wasn't a fight. My wife was quite a bit larger than you, grew up on the south side of Chicago, and I'm quite certain would have kicked your butt.

If not, never mind. Just checking.

We live in the DC area, but flew direct - EWR to PDL, and did not go to Lisbon. We did not bring our kids (they were at sleepaway camp) and did not visit any pineapple plantations. We are also not Orioles fans, and didn't get in any fights while there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We rented a car in Azores this summer and my husband used his US license.

By any chance were you the woman who nearly challenged my wife to a fight at the pineapple plantation because my wife was visibly annoyed at you for ignoring your crying and screaming toddlers while we sat there not getting any service for the first 20 minutes after being on a flight from Lisbon that was several hours late? I think your husband had on Orioles gear.

If it was, feel fortunate there wasn't a fight. My wife was quite a bit larger than you, grew up on the south side of Chicago, and I'm quite certain would have kicked your butt.

If not, never mind. Just checking.

We live in the DC area, but flew direct - EWR to PDL, and did not go to Lisbon. We did not bring our kids (they were at sleepaway camp) and did not visit any pineapple plantations. We are also not Orioles fans, and didn't get in any fights while there.

Well then I'm sorry we didn't have the chance to meet. Maybe next time.

[Anonymous]

You do not need an IDP in Portugal; your US license is perfectly fine. We aware that if you are going to Spain you DO need an IDP and risk a substantial fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not need an IDP in Portugal; your US license is perfectly fine. We aware that if you are going to Spain you DO need an IDP and risk a substantial fine.

Rented a car in Barcelona in 2019 and didn't need one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do not need an IDP in Portugal; your US license is perfectly fine. We aware that if you are going to Spain you DO need an IDP and risk a substantial fine.

Rented a car in Barcelona in 2019 and didn't need one.

Did you verify this when you were stopped by the Guardia Civil or the Policia Nacional? The rental car agency doesn't care whether you have one or not, but the police certainly can fine you if you are stopped without it.

From the US Embassy of Spain's website: "U.S. citizens who plan to drive in Spain must obtain an international driving permit (IDP) prior to their arrival."