I am going back to Portugal and this time I will be looking for a place. The problem I am having

[Maraya1969]

is, even though I read online that I can rent a car there with an American driver's license the particular place that I rented from says I need an international license. I hope I did not go to the wrong agency. It is called CarJet and I think they book for Avis because it says to pick up the car there.

I am so confused now. And even though I have Whatsapp it never lets me call anyone unless they have added me as a contact.

I am leaving in 2 days!!!!

EDIT - I have sent this information to 2 friends to see if they can call the place but I am not so sure they are familiar with car rentals as I am the only one renting a car.

[bamagal62]

1. Back in the day...

AAA would issue International drivers licenses. Give them a call.

[Tanuki]

3. You can start the process online

More about it here:

https://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

[Effete Snob]

2. "the particular place that I rented from says"

In what manner did they say this to you?

The reason I ask is that it seems odd that they communicated to you in some way, but you need someone else to call them back.

If you it is merely a booking agency and the actual rental is from Avis, then, no, you do not need an international license to rent from Avis in Europe if you have a US license.

However, if you are looking at a general information webpage then, sure, it will say that, since many rental agencies require one to rent to people from various countries other than the US.

But your post is not really clear on whether carjet is simply a booking agency and your rental is through Avis, nor is it clear whether they told you, specifically, that you need an international permit, or if you are just reading general information that they have posted somewhere.

[WhiteTara]

4. It's just money

Pay up and go.

[303squadron]

5. Got my international drivers license in 20 minutes at AAA

[rso]

6. RSO

I just went through this in Croatia, a member of the EU, just like Portugal, and the rule here is that the only time you need an international license is when your home country license is in languages not recognized as official by the EU, but English is considered an official language, so I did not need an international license.

[Maraya1969]

7. I know it is confusing because I read that Portugal will take an American license but the car

rental place said I need an international one. I am just going to drive to the local AAA office tomorrow and get one. I figure it is good to have either way.

[Maraya1969]

8. How do you get TWO passport pictures? I only have one on my passport. Maybe AAA will

take another one?

My God I am leaving on the 22nd - 2 days from now! I get nervous traveling in the first place; this is really getting to me.

[unc70]

10. AAA takes the pictures

No charge if you have AAA

[Maraya1969]

11. Thanks. I have spoken with them and they told me they can take care of it, including the photos

[DFW]

9. Before I had EU residence, I rented a car in Italy with my Texas license with no problem

It may have helped that I made the rental in advance, and that I spoke Italian?

[Maraya1969]

12. That is what is so weird because I looked online and it said an US license is fine. But when I got

the receipt for the rental place it said I needed an international license. It's OK though because I am going to AAA tomorrow and get it all done.

[Quakerfriend]

13. My husband did get international license last time

we went to Portugal. I do think you need it in order to be insured on the roads there.

[Maraya1969]

14. Thanks. I've spoken with AAA and I am going tomorrow. So glad I found this out before I landed

over there.

[Quakerfriend]

15. Here's to safe travels and a wonderful trip!

[Maraya1969]

16. ......