BajaNomad

Help!

Dave - 1-16-2006 at 12:59 PM

We're going on a trip to North Carolina. Want to rent a car there but:

No rental agency will rent us a car with a Mexican drivers license. They say we have to have an International license.

Anyone been through this and can advise what/where?

Leaving in two weeks.

Sharksbaja - 1-16-2006 at 01:15 PM

http://www.idl-international.com/

Tucker - 1-16-2006 at 01:31 PM

Looks like something to be careful with, check this website: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/scams/license.asp

vandenberg - 1-16-2006 at 01:39 PM

Dave,
Had that problem in Cleveland. Had a car reserved with Budget, but when I showed my Mexican licence, they refused to rent me a car. Tried Hertz and Avis with the same result. However the next company I tried ( can't remember who, but was one of the major ones ) and they never questioned the licence and I got a car.
Makes you wonder what a Mexican, travelling anywhere in the USA, would do to rent a car from those companies.:no::no::no:

djh - 1-16-2006 at 02:04 PM

When I travel overseas, I get my Int'l Drivers License at AAA.

If you're living in Baja and have only a Mx. D.L., you likely don't have AAA membership, but it may be worth investigating if you have dual residency or US citizenship. ($54/year).

http://www.aaawa.com/travel/tips_info/idp_application.asp (my local office link) shows how to get the IDL from outside of the country... I don't know if that will help you, but may be worth checking out.

In the past, I just went to the local AAA office, showed my (US) drivers license and passport, and they made me an Int'l. D. L. on the spot. Prety darn convenient.

Seems prety rude for rental companies to not accept a drivers license from Mx.

Best luck Dave,
djh

JZ - 1-16-2006 at 02:41 PM

AAA is the best at stuff like this. They are usally pretty fast and efficient. They have many local offices. I'm sure there is one in SD.


[Edited on 1-16-2006 by JZ]

Dave - 1-16-2006 at 06:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by djh
In the past, I just went to the local AAA office, showed my (US) drivers license and passport, and they made me an Int'l. D. L. on the spot. Prety darn convenient.


The problem is that the international permit, to be valid, MUST be issued from the country in which you live.

What's strange is that it ain't even a license, simply a translation of your license. I guess that's because someone might mistake the original for a drivers license. :lol:

When I first talked to the rental company and told them I had a Mexican license they asked if it was written in English...or Mexican. This is the type of mentality I've been dealing with all friggin day.

<And you guys thought it was just FUBAR in Mexico.>

Cincodemayo - 1-16-2006 at 06:48 PM

Just what djh said...AAA is the ONLY way to go. Get a license over the internet? Now that takes a brain surgeon!:barf:

Al G - 1-16-2006 at 07:06 PM

"The problem is that the international permit, to be valid, MUST be issued from the country in which you live."

May be wrong , but I would think they would issue it in Spanish. If they do issue it in the English, how many permits do you need to be "International"? :lol:

Dave

Baja Bernie - 1-17-2006 at 09:05 AM

Just stay home and make sandwiches!