Job Discussion Forums

davester13 · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

Hello,

I'll be traveling through the Middle East starting Feb. 19 (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, in that order) and I am thinking about having my renewed U.S. driver's license sent to me from my home in the U.S. to one of my destinations along the way, though I'm not sure if this would be too risky as someone who lives there has warned me that a few items sent to her from Australia never arrived. While it's not imperative, I would like to have my license while I'm in Syria in case I want to rent a car. If I did have it sent over, the first spot along my itinerary where I would have time to receive it would probably be Amman, Jordan. But I don't know what kind of place would able to receive and hold on to such a letter. A hotel? Post office? Where would you have it sent if it were you? And how would you have it sent----certified mail? Thanks.

Pikgitina · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 420 Location: KSA

DHL? FedEx? That's of course if you don't mind spending a bit more. Should take about 4 days if you use International Priority or whatever they call it.

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

you can't rent a car on your usa license - while in the usa take your driver's license to AAA to get an international driving certificate/license

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I wouldn't use the standard mail in any of these countries... never for anything of value or importance. Try to get an international license before you start to travel. You can get them in many countries... check with the US embassy or a car rental place?

I'm curious as to how you can renew a license out of the country. What state allows a license with no picture?

VS

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

i renewed w/o a photo while in kuwait - but that was before 9/11

15yearsinQ8 · Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 462 Location: kuwait

you can't get an international license except in the country that issued the original license
kuwait will issue an international license based on a current kuwait license not a usa license
an international 'license' is nothing more than attesting that you're a current licensed driver with recipricol priviledges in other countries
- check the list of countries that have reciprocity with the attesting agency (usually an auto club)

johnslat · Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject:

Dear davester13

Here's the list:

http://www.aaa.com/vacation/idpapplc.html?association=undefined&clb_id=undefined&secure=N

Regards,
John

davester13 · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Posts: 26

Thanks for chiming in. Let me clarify. I am currently in KSA. I recently discovered that my license had expired, and then went on to find out that I could renew it online and have the new license sent to my home address (in PA, by the way), which I have done. (Yeah, it appears that PA, along with other states, I'm sure, have gone digitial, making license renewal very simple because they have photos on file.) I thought I might be able to use my U.S. license in these ME countries, but it appears not to be the case. And since I don't have time to apply for the international one, I guess the point is moot.