International Driving Permit - Hiring a car

[clingycassandra]

I tried to hire a car for a trip to Italy in August, the hire car company is wanting an International Driving Permit in addition to my full UK driving licence. Fair enough, so I go to order one on line, but you can't, it has to be done in person. Post Offices no longer issue them so I jump in the car to my closest Paypoint outlet, 15 miles away, but no one in the store knew how to issue one... I now have to travel 20 miles in the opposite direction and hope that someone at that outlet knows what to do. (I have tried ringing ahead but it just rang out). AIBU to expect that if it's now a requirement that it should be easier to get hold of one? I have also been told by a friend that I need a drivers licence summary, free and available online, phew!

I got one of those years ago. I was visiting a friend who had had an accident. She was putting me on her insurance so that was a requirement from her insurance company. Have never heard of anyone needing one to hire a car. My friend hires a car over here when visiting and doesn't need anything like that. I got mine at the post office and needed my passport.

I’ve had them a couple of times for driving in Canada and in Japan. I’m going to Greece in September and I’m going to get one for then too as I’m hiring a car.