The International Driving License (IDL) is recognised worldwide as a valuable document that identifies its holder as a properly licensed driver. You must also have a valid National Driver's License. The IDL is valid for five years from the date of issue and must be valid at time of rental. Local traffic police may not be able to understand the language on your normal driving license while chances are they may be familiar with at least one of the languages on the IDL. For driving in Europe, travel officials suggest that an IDL is more necessary in some countries than others, but is recommended for most. In more than 40 countries worldwide you cannot rent a car at all unless you have an IDL. Countries where English is the primary spoken language, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require an IDL. However, insurance companies in many other jurisdictions often require IDLs to cover drivers of vehicles driven there.