driving licence for car hire

hi
we're off to Vegas on friday and we will be hiring from AVIS - problem is that I spopke to DVLA today and my licence which I needed to send to them in January for midification is not scheduled to be posted until tomorrow (wed) - now hopefully we will get it, BUT what happens if we don't, my wife is scared sh1t of driving over there and AVIS won't accept a fax from DVLA showing a certificate to say I can drive.??

[Nottingham Nick]

My personal thoughts, though not based on any expert legal knowledge are - if you don't get your licence, you will have a real problem.

Not just when you pick your car up from Avis, but I have always understood that in the US, you have to have your licence with you when you are driving. I don't think they have such a thing as a 'producer'.

Is there any way the DVLA can get it sent by courier to you? It may cost you more, but at least it will save any hassle.

Nick

I'd imagine you'll be stuffed without it. Can you pay extra to get a courier??
I'd keep the pressure on the misses - If your wife drives here in the UK, driving in the US is by far easier/ less stressful generally. All the cars are automatic and the roads are as wide as Cornwall.

the way i look at it my passport will suffice if out and about and if the police want i'm sure they will accept a signed cert from dvla.

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by esf666
i'm sure they will accept a signed cert from dvla.

I admire your optimism. [;)] You may find that it is misplaced, but I wish you all the best and hope you have a stress free trip. [:D]

Nick

quote:Originally posted by esf666
the way i look at it my passport will suffice if out and about and if the police want i'm sure they will accept a signed cert from dvla.


Really ?? I would doubt that very much indeed - why risk a conviction that may well prevent any future holidays to the USA and spoil this one ?

I think your wife better come round to the idea of driving - which in Vegas is so easy. Avis will want to see an original driving licence (also your passport if you still have a non-photo driving licence) and if stopped by the police, they would also want all original documents.

As others have said, no way would I risk driving in the USA without having the correct, original, documentation to hand. You never know when you may be stopped (or have someone run into you) and if you have not got the required documents to hand, the Police may be unforgiving, which would put a real damper on your holiday (& possibly future US visits).

On the bright side, if driving in Vegas is anything like in Orlando, it's a complete doddle. Just ask Avis what the quirky rules are in Nevada (e.g. 'right on red' at lights if the road is clear + no sign saying otherwise) and you'll be fine. They'll certainly have heard the questions many many times before.

James

Are you just doing Vegas on your trip? If so, do you actually need the car?

[Darren Wheeler]

Just watch a few episodes of COPS to see that if you cannot produce a valid license you are in trouble. A letter from DVLA will not cut it in this country.

Hire companies can also ask for the paper endorsment sheet too.

Its quite simple no license = no car hire. You need both plastic and paper parts to take out the rental agreement. I have on occasion not been asked for the paper part but I would never not take it with me.
As has been said before, either get it couriered or get the wife to drive.

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by esf666
the way i look at it my passport will suffice if out and about and if the police want i'm sure they will accept a signed cert from dvla.


No they won't, there are only 4 valid forms of ID in Nevada, a passport, a US military ID, a US drivers licensee and a US state ID card, everything else means nothing, now when it comes to driving and renting cars, it is a drivers licensee and nothing else, if you should get stopped Metro will not accept the dvla paper cert.

I can tell you that AVIS will want to see you licensee before they will let you have the car.

For the past 9 years in Florida, when hiring a car with a UK photo driving licence, I have never been asked for the paper counterpart bit. (Have always rented with Alamo, if this makes any difference).

OK, I've got no penalty points (not that they know that) but have never, or would, risk travelling without the paper counterpart. Way too far to go only to be told 'no way Sir' at the car rental desk.

James

[buns]

quote:Originally posted by Kraken
For the past 9 years in Florida, when hiring a car with a UK photo driving licence, I have never been asked for the paper counterpart bit. (Have always rented with Alamo, if this makes any difference).

OK, I've got no penalty points (not that they know that) but have never, or would, risk travelling without the paper counterpart. Way too far to go only to be told 'no way Sir' at the car rental desk.

James


Likewise - never been asked for the paper portion when renting, but all the same have it with me.

buns

As I still have an old-style drivers licence (with no photo), I always ensure that I carry that and my passport whenever I am driving in the US.

I really should get the new style one at some point!

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
As I still have an old-style drivers licence (with no photo), I always ensure that I carry that and my passport whenever I am driving in the US.

I really should get the new style one at some point!


Same here (it's just lazyness on my part [;)])

I should really get round to it, especially when you can now do it online.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Mo ... /DG_066954

I believe they take your picture off the one held online for your passport.

David

I was in Vegas in January and it was a joy to drive around, exactly the same as Orlando. Its nothing like the uk so your wife will be fine, would sat Nav ease any stress?

People are chilled out whilst driving in Vegas and it is often better to use the roads parallel to the strip in lieu of the strip.

quote:Originally posted by David
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
As I still have an old-style drivers licence (with no photo), I always ensure that I carry that and my passport whenever I am driving in the US.

I really should get the new style one at some point!


Same here (it's just lazyness on my part [;)])

I should really get round to it, especially when you can now do it online.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Mo ... /DG_066954

I believe they take your picture off the one held online for your passport.

David


I have driven in New England and Nevada, and Nevada is really easy to drive around with it's fairly straight and wide roads. Compared to New England's narrow, undulating roads.

[Scrooge]

Las Vegas, except for the crazy California drivers is very easy to get around, if your planning on heading off the strip get sat nav just to make life easy.

Driving in the US I have generally found to be less stressful than driving in the UK, particularly if you have a SatNav to hand to assist you. The only time I've found US drivers to be impatient is in LA if there's turn right on red at traffic lights and you're in the rightmost lane but planning on going straight across...


quote:Originally posted by David
quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
As I still have an old-style drivers licence (with no photo), I always ensure that I carry that and my passport whenever I am driving in the US.

I really should get the new style one at some point!


Same here (it's just lazyness on my part [;)])

I should really get round to it, especially when you can now do it online.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Mo ... /DG_066954

I believe they take your picture off the one held online for your passport.


Slightly OT..

I use my photo licence as ID for internal flights in the UK. Saves carrying my passport around. Watch, however, for the fact that the ID needs renewing every 10 years.

[Scrooge]

Thats true, however in the US a UK drivers license is not a form of id, you need the passport to go with it...and not a photocopy either...it really is a pain in the neck at times.

If it doesn't arrive in time maybe yould arrange for a friend to check your mail on friday/saturday with the view to fedexing it over to you in Vegas... it may mean changing your plans a bit but you could spend a few days in Vegas (where u dont need a car) and postpone the rental. For peace of mind why not call Fedex and find out what needs to be done so you can get Plan (B) set up now?.. alternatively arrange it to be sent to an address you will be at sometime later next week so your wife only has to drive a for a few days.. you can then get added as a second driver at the nearest Avis depot. Your travel agent should be able to help with this.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Thats true, however in the US a UK drivers license is not a form of id, you need the passport to go with it...and not a photocopy either...it really is a pain in the neck at times.


Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I'd use it as a form of id in the US. Passport to be carried at all times in the US - I've been asked for that when paying by credit card on several occasions.

Paul

[Decker]

I've used DL for paying by CC in US and Canada before now.

[Darren Wheeler]

Same here. I try not to carry my passport around with me too much as it's much more valuable than a foreign driving licence.