Drivers license on shore excursions

nellihilator · #1 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 05:14 AM

Hi,

My husband and I are new to cruising, and have a quick question about shore excursions. We're flying over to LA and traveling on the Vision of the Seas to the Mexican Riviera in April and are looking to do an ATV shore excursion.

Are Australian driver's licenses ok for this? Or do we need to get international driver's licenses?

Donna · #2 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 07:39 AM

There was only one cruise where they told us to carry a picture ID along when we went ashore. I just brought my drivers license, but it was never asked for. I usually just take my sign/sail card. If your license does have your picture on it, that should work fine if they tell you to bring it with you. You can also take copies of your passport and use that.

gerif · #3 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna

There was only one cruise where they told us to carry a picture ID along when we went ashore. I just brought my drivers license, but it was never asked for. I usually just take my sign/sail card. If your license does have your picture on it, that should work fine if they tell you to bring it with you. You can also take copies of your passport and use that.

Donna - the OP was inquiring about being able to DRIVE the ATV with an Australian license as opposed to an International one. Sorry, I don't have an answer for that, but maybe you do?

rinker250 · #4 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 03:41 PM

In Cozumel any driver's license was accepted.
BTW, I've never heard of an international driver's license.
Who issues them?

Irish Shark · #5 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rinker250

In Cozumel any driver's license was accepted.
BTW, I've never heard of an international driver's license.
Who issues them?

They are actually International Driving Permits (the name changed a while back). You can get one from AAA.

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpc.html

And from the DoS.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...fety_1179.html

Donna · #6 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 06:55 PM

Learned something new today, didn't know there was any kind of international drivers license??

rinker250 · #7 (**permalink**) February 19th, 2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna

Learned something new today, didn't know there was any kind of international drivers license??

Ditto!!!
I can not believe with all the travelling I've done that I had never heard of this.

Thanks!!

nellihilator · #8 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2008, 06:03 AM

Thanks for the replies.
We may go ahead and get the international driver's license/permit anyway. In Australia we drive on the opposite side of the road ( left hand side), so might want it to prove that we are capable of driving!!

jimt · #9 (**permalink**) February 20th, 2008, 11:09 AM

You do not need a international driver's license because all it is only an official translation of a driver's license into 10 foreign languages. These licenses are not intended to replace valid licenses and should only be used as a supplement. But I would contact RCI shorex department to make sure you are OK.