ED Tips

[rumrunnr03]

Leave tomarrow for Germany. Any info on needing a special kind of license or permit to drive in Europe?.

[Kanuck]

I read somewhere that you need an International Drivers Permit to drive in Austria. If you are not going there, you should not have a problem (assuming you have a Driver's License;) )

[fgrogan]

You do need an International Drivers permit in Austria, but then again, you have to get caught first!

Seriously, you are supposed to have one. it only costs $10 if you are a AAA member and they issue it on the spot. It basically has all of your licesen info translated for the police. Kinda piece of mind too. I'd get it.

I just got back and never had to show it to anyone. You do neee your US drivers license and passport for ED. As well as US drivers license for anyone with you who will drive the car.

[mysticxi]

Austrian AutoBahn Permit - 7.60 euros valid for 10 days
Swiss AutoBahn Permit - 30 euros valid till end of the year

[Matthew330Ci]

Originally posted by mysticxi
Austrian AutoBahn Permit - 7.60 euros valid for 10 days
Swiss AutoBahn Permit - 30 euros valid till end of the year

french autobahn toll booths - too much $ and too often. :mad: :bigpimp:

[Matthew330Ci]

Originally posted by fgrogan
You do need an International Drivers permit in Austria, but then again, you have to get caught first!

Seriously, you are supposed to have one. it only costs $10 if you are a AAA member and they issue it on the spot. It basically has all of your licesen info translated for the police. Kinda piece of mind too. I'd get it.

you also need to take a passport sized photo. or they take the picture for $15 more. (i think it's free or discounted at least if you're a member)

[postoak]

The IDP is the biggest joke. You don't even have to show any identification to get one. It is basically a booklet written in 10 languages that says something to the effect "the person handing you this document claims to have a valid driver's license in their home country".

The best advice I can give is to read the "Driving in Germany" thread in this forum:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15213&highlight=driving

[fgrogan]

Originally posted by postoak
The IDP is the biggest joke. You don't even have to show any identification to get one. It is basically a booklet written in 10 languages that says something to the effect "the person handing you this document claims to have a valid driver's license in their home country".

The best advice I can give is to read the "Driving in Germany" thread in this forum:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15213&highlight=driving

I don't disagre that its not a joke. But it only did cost me $ for everything, including the picture at AAA.

[cruztopless]

My local AAA office needed to look at our driver's license before we got our IDP. Either way, better safe than sorry and I'm sure it is helpful that it is in several languages.

:bigpimp:

[pinstripe1]

I just got back from Munich today. What a blast!

I got stopped at a random check point in Germany and think the IDP helped get me out of there as fast as it did. If nothing else it shows that you obey the rules and it gives the police something familiar to look at.

[Tanning machine]

Originally posted by pinstripe1
If nothing else it shows that you obey the rules

Well, we know the Germans are big on rules.:rofl:

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by Tanning machine
Well, we know the Germans are big on rules.:rofl:

:lmao:

[grayghost]

mysticxi mentioned above a need for a Swiss Autobaun permit...
Could I get a little more info on that?? My one day in and out ED pickup has now turned into a 10 day stay in Zurich :) with the ED pickup in the middle, so I need to know more about getting from Munich to Zurich and driving in Switzerland.
I'll have the weekend after the pickup on friday (5/9) to get back to Zurich, so any suggestions on things to see/do on the way is appreciated.

[Marco]

Originally posted by grayghost
mysticxi mentioned above a need for a Swiss Autobaun permit...
Could I get a little more info on that??


I had to buy the Swiss permit on two occasions. Once getting to Switzerland from Italy; the other from France. In both cases the police at the border told me I needed the permit and directed me to an office in the customs building where you can buy the sticker on the spot and put it in front of your rearview mirror (or is it behind? well, between the mirror and the windshield).
No need to do anything in advance (just worry about putting a sticker on your new car).
m.

[grayghost]

Thanks marco :)
I think I can handle that;)

[mysticxi]

grayghost,

Rothenburg is only couple of hours of northwest of Munich. It's small mediveal city encircled by a wall and quite attractive. Then you can drive down the Romantic Road towards Fussen at the Austrain Border, passing Dinkelsbhul (another mediveal city). Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau (sp?) castles are just outside Fussen. From there you can drive to Zurich through the second smallest country in Europe (please correct me if I am wrong) Lichtenstein.

PS: Visit the following thread to read about my itinerary to get some ideas
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25478 (http://)

[Spectre]

Originally posted by mysticxi
From there you can drive to Zurich through the second smallest country in Europe (please correct me if I am wrong) Lichtenstein.


I suppose that depends on your definition of country. The Vatican City is the smallest independent state in Europe. Monaco is the second smallest. San Marino is also smaller than Liechtenstein.

-Peter

[Marco]

Originally posted by Spectre
I suppose that depends on your definition of country. The Vatican City is the smallest independent state in Europe. Monaco is the second smallest. San Marino is also smaller than Liechtenstein.

-Peter
How about Andorra? Smaller or bigger than Liechtenstein?
m.

[Alex Baumann]

Originally posted by Marco
How about Andorra? Smaller or bigger than Liechtenstein?
m.

smaller

[Spectre]

Bigger. At least that's what the CIA World Factbook says. :D Liechtenstein is 160 sq. km. Andorra is 468 sq. km. Does it really matter unless you intend to go there? :p

I'm going to hit Liechtenstein and Monaco while doing ED this summer. Liechtenstein just because it's on the route I'll be taking between Austria and Switzerland. You have to love Europe -- visiting countries is like driving through states in the US. Rhode Island anyone? :rofl:

-Peter

PS Hopefully Liechtenstein doesn't have its own motorway vignette. Anyone know? I can see it now, paying 20 euros or something for less than an hour in Liechtenstein!

[berford]

Originally posted by mysticxi
grayghost,

Rothenburg is only couple of hours of northwest of Munich. It's small mediveal city encircled by a wall and quite attractive. Then you can drive down the Romantic Road towards Fussen at the Austrain Border, passing Dinkelsbhul (another mediveal city). Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau (sp?) castles are just outside Fussen. From there you can drive to Zurich through the second smallest country in Europe (please correct me if I am wrong) Lichtenstein.

PS: Visit the following thread to read about my itinerary to get some ideas
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25478 (http://)

Good advice. That's a very nice itinerary.

...but how about Vatican City--even smaller.