Can I rent a car in Czech Republic with US license?

Renting a car in Prague is a really good opportunity to see not only Prague and its surroundings, but even other cities and countries. But can you rent a car in the Czech Republic with a US license?

The answer is yes, but… American, Canadian, Australian driving licenses should be additionally supported by international driving permits (IDP). This is an additional white book with your photo and personal information.

Why is that? According to the United Nations, Convention on Road Traffic from Vienna, 8 November 1968, is an international treaty designed to facilitate international road traffic and to increase road safety by establishing standard traffic rules among the contracting parties.

In the other words, if your country does not accept this Convention, you’ll need to get an International Driving Permit.

What if you don’t have one? If something happens, insurance companies in Europe won’t cover the damage to the health. Which means that you’ll be responsible for that in a full amount. If the police stop you, they can arrest the car. It is the same as if you don’t have a valid license at all.

But I’ve rented from other companies in Europe! Yes, we know. Some companies just don’t care and take a huge risk on that one. We do care. Even if nothing happened to the car, if police check you, you can get stuck somewhere in the middle of the country on your own and waste a lot of time.

Here’s what US Embassy in Prague says about it:

“Provisions of the law on road safety stipulate that short term visitors to the Czech Republic who hold a U.S. driver’s license may drive in the Czech Republic with a U.S. license under the condition that they have an International Driving Permit to accompany their license.”