Technically, Greek car rental and motorcycle rental agencies are supposed to require an International Drivers License, but in practice, standard driver's licenses are routinely accepted. But Greek law requires that you have the offical International Driving Permit to show along with your own driver's license.
If you are stopped by the Greek traffic police, the automatic translation provided by the international license may make things go just a little bit more smoothly. Think about it - you respond better to materials printed in your own language, and the international driver's license provides that courtesy to the Greek officer who may be deciding your fate. The permit and original license must be shown together, so bring your license with you.
Applying for an International Drivers Licence
In the United States, only two organizations are emowered to issue international driving permits. They are the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Automobile Club (NAC).To apply, you need to fill out the application, pay the current fee, and provide two passport-sized photographs and a copy of your state-issued driver's license. The photos do not need to be the same as your passport photograph, but if you are also applying for a passport, it's convenient to order extra copies to use for visas to other nations or for situations like this. If you go through a major AAA office, they can usually take the photo for you at the time you apply.
You do not have to be a member of either the AAA or the NAC to get your IDP issued through them. But read the individual instructions carefully as the application process varies slightly for each organization.
The International Driving Permit can only be issued up to six months before your trip, so it isn't something you can get far ahead of your departure date. Once you have the permit, it's good for one year as long as your regular license is still valid for that period.
These are the only two US-based groups who are legimiately offering the official International Driving Permit. Any other offers are not providing the official document, and may not be accepted if you need to show it.
United Kingdom citizens go through the AA for their "licence".
Canadian citizens can go through the CAA
US Department of State - Road Safety Overseas
Traffic and Road Safety in Greece
Plan Your Own Trip to Greece
Find & Compare Discount Flights to AthensFind & Compare Discount Rental Cars in Athens
Find & Compare Rates on Hotels in Athens and throughout Greece and the Greek islands.
Book your Own Day Trips Around Athens
Book your Own Short Trips Around Greece
Some of The Best Greek Islands
Temple-crowned Aegina - Natural Alonissos - Traditional Carpathos - Chewy Chios - Cos, The Doctors' Island - Queenly Crete - Dignified Delos - Do it all on Donoussa - Hydra, Artist's Island - Odysseus' Ithaca - Kalokairi "Mamma Mia" Island - Spongy Kalymnos - Aphrodite's Kythira - Lesvos, More than Sappho - Lovely Leros - Mighty Mykonos - Paros Paradise - Pirate Islands - Pastoral Patmos - Volcanic Santorini - Sexy Skopelos - The Dreamy Small Cyclades - Easy Spetses - Symi Summers - Very Greek Syros - Honeyed Thassos - Tilos, Island of Elephants
