Global IDP Team · 2026-06-22 · 9 min read
You booked the car, your flight lands tomorrow, and now you're staring at the rental confirmation wondering whether you actually need an International Driving Permit (IDP) at pickup. This guide breaks down the published IDP policies of the five biggest global rental brands — Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise, and Budget — so you arrive with the right paperwork the first time.
Quick answer: Every major rental agency follows the IDP law of the *country where you pick up the car*, not the agency's own preference. If the country requires an IDP for your nationality, the agency will too — and they want the physical booklet, not a digital scan.
Do car rental agencies require an IDP?
Rental companies don't set IDP rules — governments do. Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise, and Budget all defer to the local law of the pickup country. What *does* vary is:
- How strictly individual counter agents enforce it
- Whether they accept the 1949 Geneva Convention IDP or require the newer 1968 Vienna Convention version
- Whether a digital IDP is acceptable as a backup
For high-enforcement regions (Italy, Japan, Greece, Spain, Austria, most of Eastern Europe), counter staff routinely refuse pickup without a physical IDP booklet alongside your home license.
Rental agency IDP requirements — side by side
Agency · IDP required? · Physical booklet? · Digital IDP accepted? · Convention preferred ·
--- · --- · --- · --- · --- ·
Hertz · Yes, where local law requires · Yes — always · Only as supplement · 1949 or 1968 (matches country) ·
Avis · Yes, where local law requires · Yes — always · No · 1949 or 1968 (matches country) ·
Sixt · Yes — strictest of the five in EU · Yes — always · No · 1968 Vienna preferred in EU ·
Enterprise · Yes, where local law requires · Yes — always · No · 1949 or 1968 (matches country) ·
Budget · Yes, where local law requires · Yes — always · No · 1949 or 1968 (matches country) ·
The pattern is consistent: every major agency wants the physical paper booklet. A PDF on your phone is not a substitute at any of the five brands above.
Hertz international driving permit policy
Hertz's global rental terms state that drivers must hold a valid license recognized in the rental country, plus "an International Driving Permit where required by local law." In practice:
- Europe (Italy, Greece, Spain, Austria, Hungary): IDP is checked at pickup for non-EU licenses.
- Asia (Japan, South Korea, Thailand): IDP is mandatory; pickup is refused without it.
- USA, Canada, UK, Ireland: Hertz does not require an IDP for English-language licenses.
- Digital IDP: Accepted only as a secondary copy. The physical booklet is the primary document.
Avis IDP requirement
Avis follows the same "where required by law" model. Key counter behaviors:
- In Italy and Spain, Avis has been the most likely of the U.S. brands to deny pickup without an IDP for U.S./Canadian drivers.
- Avis Preferred members are not exempt — the IDP check happens at vehicle handover.
- Avis Australia and Avis New Zealand explicitly require IDPs for non-English licenses.
Sixt IDP requirement
Sixt is generally the strictest enforcer of IDP policy in continental Europe, partly because the company is German and Germany requires the 1968 Vienna Convention IDP for many non-EU licenses.
- For drivers from countries that issue 1949 Geneva IDPs (e.g., some U.S. AAA permits), Sixt counters in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland may push back.
- Sixt accepts a translation of your home license alongside an IDP — not as a replacement.
- Long-term and business rentals (Sixt+) follow the same documentation rules.
Enterprise IDP policy
Enterprise (which owns National and Alamo) states that an IDP is needed "in countries that require it by law." Enforcement notes:
- Enterprise UK and Ireland accept most foreign English-language licenses without an IDP.
- Enterprise Europe (operated via franchisees in many markets) is stricter — Italy and Greece franchisees routinely require the booklet.
- For Asia and the Middle East, the IDP is mandatory at every Enterprise counter.
Budget IDP requirement
Budget (owned by the Avis Budget Group) shares Avis's policies almost line for line. The same Italian and Spanish counters that enforce IDPs for Avis will enforce them for Budget. There is no difference in document standards between the two brands.
Do rental companies accept digital IDPs?
No major global rental agency accepts a digital-only IDP as the primary document. The reasons:
- The 1949 and 1968 Conventions both specify a physical paper booklet with specific dimensions and translations.
- Counter staff are trained to inspect the booklet's holographic seal and country stamp.
- In a roadside police check, the officer will ask for the physical document — and the rental contract puts that liability on you.
A digital IDP (PDF + QR code) is useful as a backup if the booklet is lost, but you should not rely on it for pickup.
1949 Geneva vs 1968 Vienna — does my IDP work?
Most countries recognize one or both conventions:
- 1949 Geneva Convention IDP — recognized in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, most of Africa, and parts of Asia.
- 1968 Vienna Convention IDP — recognized across most of the EU, the UK, Russia, and the Middle East.
A few high-traffic destinations only recognize one:
- Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria — prefer 1968 Vienna
- Japan — only recognizes 1949 Geneva
- China — recognizes neither (IDPs are not valid for car rental; a temporary Chinese license is required)
If you're renting from Sixt in Germany or Avis in Italy, make sure your IDP is the 1968 Vienna version.
What to bring to the rental counter
For any of the five agencies above, arrive with all five items in hand:
- Your valid home country driver's license (must be the physical card, not a digital wallet copy)
- International Driving Permit — physical booklet, matching the convention required by the pickup country
- Passport — the rental agreement is tied to your passport number
- Credit card in the main driver's name (debit cards rejected at most international counters)
- Booking confirmation — printed or on phone
Common rental counter problems and how to avoid them
Problem: "Your IDP has expired."
IDPs are valid for 1 year from issue. Renew before travel if your trip is more than 10 months from your IDP issue date.
Problem: "We need the 1968 Convention version."
This happens most often at Sixt and Hertz counters in Germany, Italy, and Austria. Order a 1968 Vienna IDP if your destination is in the EU.
Problem: "The name on your IDP doesn't match your booking."
The IDP must match your driver's license exactly. If you booked under a nickname or middle name, call the agency 24 hours before pickup.
Problem: "We don't accept digital IDPs."
Bring the physical booklet. Every major agency requires it.
Which rental companies are strictest about IDPs?
Based on traveler reports and our customer-service data over the last 24 months:
- Sixt (especially in Germany, Austria, Italy)
- Avis (Italy, Spain, Greece)
- Budget (mirrors Avis)
- Hertz (Italy, Japan, Korea)
- Enterprise (varies by franchisee; strictest in Greece and Italy)
If you're booking with Sixt or Avis in continental Europe, treat the IDP as mandatory regardless of your nationality.
Related guides
- How to Get an International Driving Permit
- AAA vs Global IDP — Which Should You Choose?
- International Driving Permit Cost — Full Price Breakdown
- Do I Need an International Driving Permit?
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Disclaimer: *Global IDP is a private translation service. We are not affiliated with any government agency. The documents we provide are translations of your existing driving license and do not replace your valid domestic license.*