International Driving permit?
 

I was wondering if I would need to get one of these for my ride down south. from what I hear they're a bit of a rip off. I have a British Columbia Class 5/6 license.
Thanks

I obtained a international DL for central America and never used it once, it was a waste of money. Funny thing is I am now thinking of getting one for my trip to Europe?
All the border crossing and police stops know what a license should look like. Many times I have shown my laminated color copy and it has worked but many times they have also said this is a copy can I have your real one!

Mine was £5 a couple of years ago, used it a couple of times, most border crossings/police checks are more excited about my shiny EU one with Holograms etc... shiny and new!

A bit of piece of mind when I do get stopped, always used it if I thought the cop was corrupt and they might take it as collateral...

Don't know about The Americas, but in Eastern Europe, an IDP is a good thing to have. In the UK they cost just £5.50, and one can obtain multiple permits. Then if the police in, say Russia confiscate your licence, you've lost £5.50, rather than your real driving licence :innocent:

and you can also 'lose' your regular licence...

I have three, one where I moved house and had to get a new one for changing address, the second, I 'lost' then found, then the third current one.... £20 replacement licence in the UK from the DVLA.

£5.50 is only the price of a coffee or two!

Wow 5.50 is cheap here they are $25 Canadian and are only good for a year. I see what you mean about having a backup license being handy but I wonder if I couldn't just carry a copy?

Yup, 25.00 here in Alberta also:(
A copy is a good idea although not legal. As in my above post, a color copy and then laminated. You would never show the police here in Canada a copy and it is the same in Mexico and Central America, they know the difference.
If you were to lose the original it could be handy. Have you ever lost the original here in Canada?

France is usually very expensive for all things motoring related, but I'm happy to say that my IDP was free, there is no charge for them here.!!:D

No I have never lost my original DL. I can't imagine it what they would charge for a replacement.
$8 in the UK and free in France, what is cheap or free anymore in Canada?

DVLA EU licence replacement is £20 for 10 year driving licence.

RAC International Driving licence is £5 for 1 year.

I've never had my EU one refused by someone wanting the international one. However, My international vehicle log book was handy at a border when the person meant to be stamping my Carnet De Passage couldn't understand it.