Q. Can you clear something up for me please, a colleague is insisting that I need to purchase an International Driving Permit to drive in California; I have been going to California for nigh on 20 years and I have a full picture driving licence which has always been sufficient. Would you recommend getting an IDP for the future? It seems a bit of a money-making racket to me.

Ed Dunham

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Jonny Wilkinson of Toulon lines up a kick on goal

British and Irish Lions 2013: Jonny Wilkinson could be on standby list for tour of Australia

Fly-half ruled himself out of contention for the 37-man squad

British and Irish Lions 2013: Full fixture list and itinerary for tour of Australia and Hong Kong

Sam Warburton will captain the side's summer tour

Balfour Beatty warns it will miss forecasts in tight conditions

Olympic Park developer Balfour Beatty today warned that its 2013 results are likely to miss City forecasts because of tough market conditions in the UK.

Bob Irwin, father of Steve Irwin, has launched a campaign to make people aware of the damage being caused to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

Father of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin launches campaign to save Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The father of crocodile hunter Steve Irwin has launched a multimillion pound campaign to save Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

County Championship round-up: Joe Root makes the difference for Yorkshire

Ashes watch part one Just as the glass half-empty faction among Yorkshire supporters were wondering if promotion might be a step too far, the young England batsman Joe Root demonstrated his class with a supreme match-winning performance against Durham, leading Yorkshire to a four-wicket victory in the final session at Chester-le-Street with a brilliant 182 that lacked only the winning boundary. That was left to his England team-mate Tim Bresnan, who hit his first ball to the boundary after Root was bowled by Callum Thorp with one run needed. He had shared a stand of 101 with Adil Rashid, dropped twice in his 50 not out.

High point: the Royal Mile in Edinburgh's Old Town

My life in travel: Andrew Maxwell

'There's a lot going on in Cape Town'

Brad Haddin of Australia and Australian captain Michael Clarke

Ashes 2013: Is Australia's squad a mix of youth and experience - or pragmatic and panic-stricken?

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin replaces Shane Watson as Michael Clarke's deputy

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh, Brad Haddin of Australia, Australian captain Michael Clarke, and former Australian captain Mark Taylor

Brad Haddin calls for unity in Australia squad ahead of the Ashes

Wicketkeeper replaces Shane Watson as Michael Clarke's deputy

Mike Denness was arguably the best batsman born in Scotland

Mike Denness: the Scotsman who captained England

Mike Denness, who died yesterday at the age of 72, was captain of England on one of their most troubled tours of Australia.

Kevin Pietersen needs at least two first-class games before the Ashes

Kevin Pietersen may 'consider his future' after the Ashes suggests Andrew Flintoff

The England batsman is currently struggling with injury

Black Caviar (left) and Frankel

Will Black Caviar and Frankel be mated to produce a 'super horse'?

Black Caviar has retired after 25 consecutive victories - but there are no guarantees any foals the mare produces will replicate her achievements

Adam Scott celebrates his Masters triumph

The Masters 2013: Prime Minister reacts to Adam Scott victory on 'historical day for Australian sport'

Scott became the first Australian to triumph at Augusta

Crocodile Dundee actor Paul Hogan

Crocodile Dundee hunts lost $34m from 'bowler hat Englishman' tax adviser

Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan is on the trail of his former tax adviser, claiming the so-called “bowler hat Englishman” has made off with $34 million (£22 million).

Adam Scott celebrates victory at the Masters

The Masters 2013: Greg Norman backs fellow Australian Adam Scott to win more majors

Scott became the first Australian to win the green jacket last night

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Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
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How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death
Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Stuart Hogg: Ready to climb his own Everest

Lions' cub, 20, joins long line of players from Scottish borders club Hawick given opportunity to make his mark at highest level
Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch

Steve Bunce on Boxing

Carl Froch handed rare chance of revenge with dream rematch against Mikel Kessler
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell