International Drivers Licence

Hi

I am confused now - some TA posts suggest that an international drivers licence is not required and some suggest that it is.

We are Australian and on our local motoring site www.racv.com.au it states we need one for Malaysia.

Can anyone confirm

Thanks

rustypup1

International Drivers Licence

That is true. international drivers licence is not required

International Drivers Licence

From the Malaysian High Commission....

What can you tell me about driving in Malaysia ?

Tourists may use their Australian driver%26#39;s licence for up to 3 months in Malaysia but must take out third party insurance if using their own vehicle.

We have some pics, maps and stories of our trips to Malaysia here... www.bobandjanette.com which may help.

Happy %26amp; safe travels

Hi rusty

Hired a car last month from KL (Avis) and drove up to Penang. Didn%26#39;t need an International Licence. Driving was easy once we got out of KL (picked a Sunday which made it easier).

cheers

Dave

IDLs are weird. It seems that people who%26#39;ve paid for them like to say that they%26#39;re essential, but in practice they seldom are. I%26#39;ve noticed that on the South Africa forum in particular there is a definite pro-IDL cadre.

I%26#39;m sure that there are places in the world that ask for IDLs and it%26#39;s possible (though to my mind, commercially unsound) that some rental companies might insist on them, but as far as I can see, the only value they have is as a translation %26#39;vehicle%26#39; (probably could have found a better word).

That said, I%26#39;ve hired cars in about 30 countries with at least 4 different alphabets (let alone languages) and I%26#39;ve never been asked to produce an IDL. They don%26#39;t prove anything, don%26#39;t give an indication of any driving ability, health problems, history of penalties etc.

We%26#39;re hiring a car and I certainly don%26#39;t expect to have to sheel out for an IDL. I%26#39;ve seen nothing on the rental sites we%26#39;ve looked at so far to suggest that one is mandatory.

Thankyou all for your responses. It did seem that racv is trying to rip people off. Bob thanks for your post - I found it on the Malaysian High Commission website and this confirms for me that I definately do not need one.

Thanks again

Hi rusty, they are not needed, but if you have an accident your aus. will not cover you, I found this out the hard way. Pay $20 and get a IDL. then you have no problem. You can hire a car on your Aus licence, but you are not coverecd for accidents, check your travel insurance. besides if you cannot afford $20 forget the holiday.

Hervey

Sorry Harvey but that is simply bad advice.

You are covered if you are LEGALLY driving in a country.

In Malaysia%26#39;s case, provided you have a valid Australian driver%26#39;s licence and are in the country for 3 months or less then you will be covered in the case of an accident.

Certainly the situation is different in Thailand. According to Thai law, you must have an IDP to drive in Thailand. So driving in Thailand with just an Australian driver%26#39;s licenceand no IDP would be illegal, and therefore no coverage in the case of an accident.

Hope this helps.

Bob, Thanks again for your response.

Hervey, it thought it was a bit strange.

I am of the assumption that if I hire a car and take out insurance through the hire company I will be covered. Also the travel insurance I have purchased has a hire car clause.

So i think I am OK.

Thanks All