Auto Insurance w/International Drivers Lic

[DallasTexas]

I added my wife to my auto policy when we got married. I received a letter yesterday stating that because she was driving on an International drivers license that they were not going to renew my policy in October?

I had no problems adding her with the International License before.  

Anyone else had this problem or know any of the major insurance companies that would not have a problem with this? My policy is with Geico.

She is legally entitled to drive here for 1 year on an international license.

[Pete E]

... in response to Auto Insurance w/International Drivers L..., posted by DallasTexas on Aug 30, 2001

In California I believe they are legal for a month on the international licence.I was going to say why not just get her a licence here,but I recall something about her being here on a tourist visa.A friend of my wife is here on an overstayed tourist visa and and doesn't have a California drivers licence but she does have insurance.I'll ask her.
Many companies might have similar rules but some may not.I would call around.Also you might check agents who advertise in spanish language newspapers,they are probably familiar with this.
It took my wife 9 month to get her drivers licence here.California is very tough.She flunked the written exam twice and the driving test 3 times.I was warned my insurance would go way up when I put her on the policy but it only went up about 10%.

Pete

[Edge]

... in response to Auto Insurance w/International Drivers L..., posted by DallasTexas on Aug 30, 2001

I am just starting to check into this.  But based on what I have found out so far.  The international license is a translation into English of the information on the person's licence from whatever country they have the license in.  Is this correct?  I think each state is different as to whether they accept an international license??  You advise that she is legally entitiled to drive here for 1 year.  As far as you know, is that just in Texas??

I think my insurance company only accepts drivers licensed in the 50 states but I will confirm.

[DFWGuy]

... in response to Re: Auto Insurance w/International Drive..., posted by Edge on Aug 30, 2001

No the international license is not the same as your local license. It has about 6 pages in each of the major languages with a list in the front cover of all of the countries that accept it. The international license was created as part of the Geneva Convention of 1947.

It has places for indorsements and also shows what you are authorized to drive.  I do not believe that you have to have a local license to get an international license. If you do not you must go thru the international license procedure which is much more expensive and similar to obtaining a drivers license in most places.

If you have a local license I think you just pay a fee to get an international license. This fee is fairly steep. For Columbia it is 200,000 pesos per year as the license is only good for a year.

I had my wife renew hers just before she left.

[Edge]

... in response to Re: Re: Auto Insurance w/International D..., posted by DFWGuy on Aug 30, 2001

Hey- thanks for the response.  I think what this International drivers permit or license allows people to do, is if they are licensed to drive in their country, this document translates the information from their license into the six languages as you mentioned.  This way, if you in one of the countries that you accept it on a visa, you can drive in that country and they can understand the information on your license because it has been translated.  What I do not know and there seems to be confusion, is whether each state will honor this license. It seems the local yokels at the DMV do not really know.  And if they do honor it, will your insurance company accept it, which is the problem that started this post.  Did you have any trouble getting insurance since your wife has one??

Here is what a friend sent me:

Did a little research into this.
Check this website and company:
http://www.driverlicense.com/

1. The International driver's license
is called "International Driving Permit" (IDP).
It is issued under 1968 Final Act of UN
Conference on Road Traffic.
Colombia and US and 176 other
countries signed the agreement.
2. It is temporary. Usually it's good for 12
to 36 months. It requires that the holder also
maintain a current valid driver's license from her

home country, and hold a valid US visa,
and foreign passport.
3. It is superseded by the state driver's license.

In other words, if your lady is planning on
residing
with you in your home state, it still behooves you

to look into and help her apply for and secure
your state
driver's license.
4. It's best to check with Colorado motor vehicles

department to make sure that they do not impose
any special restriction or limit on use of the IDP

in your state.

Check the website I gave you for more detail
on application requirements, the application form,