The guaranteed, fastest way to get your International Driving Permit for renting with Europcar

An International Driving Permit (IDP) — often referred to as an International Driver's License (IDL) — is an official document that translates the details of your valid driver's license into multiple languages. This permit allows you to drive legally in many countries abroad and is commonly requested by rental agencies such as Europcar. You may also hear it called an International Driving License or International Driver's Permit; all of these terms point to the same internationally recognized document.

Not every Europcar branch will require you to show an International Driving Permit (IDP) or International Driver's License (IDL), but many countries do have laws that make it compulsory. This is especially true across Europe, certain parts of Asia, and several South American destinations, where both your local license and an IDP must be presented when renting a vehicle. To ensure a smooth rental experience: Review the driving regulations of the country you'll be visiting in advance. Bring your valid home driver's license along with an IDP/IDL whenever possible. Even if the IDP isn't legally required, having one is highly recommended, as it serves as a certified translation of your license and helps streamline both the rental process and communication with local authorities.

The rules aren't the same everywhere. In some countries, Europcar will accept your regular driver's license on its own. In others, local law requires that you also present a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) before renting a vehicle. To simplify the process, we've prepared a quick tool: select your home country and your destination, and you'll find out instantly whether an IDP is necessary for your Europcar booking.

Europcar will not accept an expired International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL). To rent a vehicle abroad, you must present both a valid home driver's license and a current, unexpired IDP. If your IDP has already expired, it will need to be renewed before your trip. Otherwise, you may face delays at the rental counter or risk being refused a vehicle entirely.

If you arrive at a Europcar counter without your International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL), you may still be able to rent a car in destinations where the document isn't legally required. However, in countries that mandate an IDP by law, Europcar must comply with those regulations, and you could be refused a rental without it. Some Europcar offices may accept a digital copy of your IDP as temporary proof, but this is not guaranteed everywhere. For peace of mind, it's always best to travel with both the physical permit and a digital backup, ensuring a smooth rental process no matter where you are.

You can apply quickly using our Online International Driver's License Application. The process takes less than 5 minutes, can be completed 100% online, and you'll receive your International Driving Permit (IDP) without the need for in-person visits.

Pricing for an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) starts at $35 for a 1-year validity. You can also choose a 2- or 3-year permit, select digital-only delivery, add urgent processing, or upgrade to different shipping options. For full details, please see our International Driver's License Pricing page.

With urgent processing, you can receive your digital International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) in as little as 15 minutes. For physical copies, expedited shipping is available, with 2-day delivery to most countries worldwide.

Yes. You can apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) even if your driver's license is not in English. The IDP translates your license into multiple languages, making it valid for driving and car rentals in over 175 countries. Just be sure your original license is valid and unexpired, as the IDP must always be used together with your home license.

This information varies - please refer to the pages below:

International Driving Permit for Enterprise Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Avis

International Driving Permit for Hertz

International Driving Permit for Budget Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Alamo Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for National Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Sixt Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Thrifty Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Dollar Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Fox Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Payless Car Rental

International Driving Permit for Ace Rent A Car

International Driving Permit for Advantage Rent A Car