Driving/license req. for renting car/driving

[shayla]

Hello,

We are leaving for BA in about 2 weeks time and I am wondering if it is necessary to have an International Drivers license to rent drive down there?

Does anyone know if a California license is good enough?

Thanks,
Shayla

 

[canadien]

I`ve rented cars in Argentina using just my Canadian driver`s license with no problems.
I would assume it would be the same for you.
To confirm, just phone one of the big international rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, etc) and ask them.

 

[HowardinBA]

http://ar.sixt.com/rental-service/rental-information/

 

[Fettucini]

Generally they dont ask you for the international license when you rent a car in Argentina, but at the police stops and state borders, which are many, i always get asked for the international license. Before when i didnt have one, a BA policeman once threatened to take my car away until i produced the international license, ended up just giving me a warning, but i know many people whove been fined for not having one.

 

[GuyinBA]

We brought one just in case but i've heard mixed things about whether you need one or not. It was really easy to get so i dont see the big deal unless you're here without one. Get one before you leave just to be safe.

While on this topic, can anyone recommend a reasonably priced agency to rent a car with unlimited miles for a week or two? Thanks.

 

[French jurist]

Generally they dont ask you for the international license when you rent a car in Argentina, but at the police stops and state borders, which are many, i always get asked for the international license. Before when i didnt have one, a BA policeman once threatened to take my car away until i produced the international license, ended up just giving me a warning, but i know many people whove been fined for not having one.

I got controlled about 5 times :
3 or 4 times by the Policia Federal in Capital = my French DL was fine with them.
1 time by the Gendarmeria in the province = everything ok also

Also it has been confirmed by the French Consulate that it's ok to do so.
It might depend where you come from : European DL are multilingual (Spanish incl. obviously).

For longer stays it would be better to get a local DL. Steve (from the forum) raised smartly the issue once : could make problems with your insurance (after an accident has occured) if you drive your own car.

 

[citygirl]

No problem with renting a car from Avis with a NY driver's license. Be aware though, car rentals are pricey. Think mine was about 80 USD a day when all was said and done.

 

[rrptownley]

I once rented a car in Uruguay with a PADI Diver´s license. It passed the police stop too. Guess all you need is a foto ID card if you are a foreigner.