License requested

Rick Steves states that he has never been asked for an International Driving Permit (Jan. ’11, pg. 67). My wife, Judy, and I have traveled to Europe a modest 10 times and never had one before our trip in September ’10, but I was so glad I had it that time.

As we were leaving Salzburg, Austria, for Bad Reichenhall, Germany, one evening around 9:30 p.m., right at the city limits two policemen waved yellow flares at the car in front of us. I drove slowly to pass but was pulled over too. Neither of us had been speeding or doing anything wrong that I could see.
The officer immediately asked for my International Driving Permit. I gave it to him, then mentioned that I had served in the US Army in Salzburg from 1953 to ’55 and that my camp, Camp Roeder, is now the Schwarzenbergkasern, or Austrian Army Camp. I asked if he knew of it.

His reply was that he had served in the Austrian Army and had also been stationed at Schwarzenbergkasern. He then asked me if I thought Salzburg had changed any in the last 50-plus years. I mentioned the Sternbräu and Glaberbräu restaurants plus some others and he said I knew the city well. After this dialog, he waved us on.

To this day, we have no idea why we were pulled over, but I was glad I had my International Driving Permit with me.

Regarding having CDW (collision damage waiver insurance) when renting a vehicle in Europe, my Chase Bank Visa credit card covers this insurance as a perk. I have talked with Chase Bank Enhancement Services twice to verify this fact. We can decline CDW when renting a car and save the $15 to $35 a day as Rick Steves mentions in his article.

Check first with your credit card issuer to see if you also might be covered.

DOUG BARNETT
Siesta Key, FL