You can rent a car with an international driver license, but the rental company will also require your valid passport and home country license
Most major car rental chains in the United States will accept an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a valid foreign license as part of your rental documentation. However, the IDP or foreign license alone is not enough. You must present three documents together: your IDP or foreign license, your original home country license, and your passport. The rental company uses all three to verify your identity and driving history.
The specific requirements vary by rental company and by state. Some companies are stricter about which documents they accept, and some states have different rules about what foreign visitors can legally drive. Before you book, contact the rental company directly and tell them which country issued your license. This takes five minutes and prevents problems at the counter.
If you have a U.S. state driver license in addition to your foreign license, use that instead—it is simpler and faster. Rental companies prefer it because they can verify the license when ready through their system. If you do not have a U.S. license, the IDP plus your home country license is the standard path.
Key Takeaways
- Bring your IDP or foreign license, your original home country license, and your passport—rental companies require all three documents together.
- Call the rental company before you book and confirm they accept your specific country's license and IDP format.
- Some states and some rental companies have age restrictions for foreign drivers; ask about this when you call.
- A U.S. state driver license, if you have one, is faster and preferred by rental companies over an IDP.
- Rental prices, insurance requirements, and credit card holds may be higher for foreign drivers at some locations.
What documents the rental counter will ask for
When you arrive at the rental counter, have these documents ready in this order: your passport (open to the photo page), your home country driver license, and your IDP. The agent will check that the name on all three matches exactly. If your name appears differently on any document—for example, a middle initial on one but not the others—the rental company may refuse to rent to you until you clarify the discrepancy.
The rental agent will also ask for a credit card in your name. This is not a charge; it is a hold to cover potential damage or traffic violations. The hold amount varies by company and by car type, but typically ranges from $200 to $500. The hold is released when you return the car undamaged. If you do not have a credit card, ask whether the company accepts a debit card—some do, but not all.
Bring a second form of ID if you have one. A national ID card from your home country, a student ID, or an employee badge can help if there is any question about the documents you have presented. This is not required, but it speeds up the process.
Age restrictions and insurance for foreign drivers
Many rental companies charge an additional daily fee if you are under 25 years old, and some refuse to rent to drivers under 21. This rule applies to foreign drivers the same way it applies to U.S. drivers. A few companies have a separate, higher minimum age for foreign drivers—sometimes 25 or even 30. Call ahead and ask about the age policy for your specific location and car type.
Insurance is a separate issue. Your home country auto insurance may not cover a rental car in the United States, even if it covers rentals in your home country. Check your policy before you arrive. If you are not covered, the rental company will offer you a damage waiver or collision insurance. This is optional but strongly recommended. The daily cost is usually $15 to $30, depending on the car and the company.
Some credit cards offer rental car coverage if you use that card to pay for the rental. Check with your credit card company before you book. If your card covers rentals, you may not need to buy the company's insurance. Bring a copy of your card's coverage terms to the rental counter so the agent can see what is included.
Which rental companies accept international driver licenses
The major chains—Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National—all accept IDPs and foreign licenses at most U.S. locations. However, policies differ by location and by company. A Hertz branch in New York may have different rules than a Hertz branch in rural Montana. Before you book online, call the specific location where you plan to pick up the car and confirm they accept your documents.
Regional and local rental companies may have stricter rules. Some smaller companies do not accept foreign licenses at all and require a U.S. license or an IDP from a specific country. If you are renting in a small town or rural area, call multiple companies to find one that will rent to you.
When you call, have your IDP or foreign license in front of you. Tell the agent the country that issued your license and the format of your IDP (the IDP booklet format is standard, but some countries issue cards). Ask whether they have rented to drivers from your country before. If they hesitate or seem uncertain, ask to speak to a manager. It is better to know the answer before you arrive than to show up and be turned away.
Booking online versus at the counter
Most rental websites do not ask about your license type during booking. You select your car, enter your dates, and pay. The system assumes you have a valid U.S. license. When you arrive at the counter with a foreign license, the agent may tell you the price has changed or that the car is no longer available—this happens because the company's system did not account for the higher risk or additional processing time for a foreign driver.
To avoid this, book by phone instead of online. Call the rental company directly, tell them you have a foreign license, and ask them to note it in your reservation. They will confirm the price and availability with that information included. You will pay the same amount when you pick up the car. This also gives you a record of the conversation if there is a dispute later.
If you have already booked online, call the rental location before you pick up the car and update your reservation with your license information. Do this at least 24 hours before your pickup time. The company may adjust your rate or ask you to provide additional documents, but you will know before you arrive.
What to do if a rental company refuses you
If a company refuses to rent to you because of your foreign license, ask why. The reasons fall into a few categories: your country's IDP is not recognized by that company, you do not meet the age requirement, your passport is expiring soon (some companies require at least six months validity), or the company straightforward does not rent to foreign drivers at that location.
If the reason is age or passport validity, there is nothing you can do at that moment. If the reason is that your IDP format is not recognized, ask whether they accept your home country license alone. Some companies will rent on the home country license plus passport, even if they do not accept the IDP. If the company refuses for any reason, try another rental company at the same location or nearby.
If you are in a small town with only one rental company and they refuse, consider renting from a location in a larger city nearby and driving to where you need to be. Major airports and city centers have more rental options and are more accustomed to foreign drivers.
Driving laws and traffic violations while renting
When you rent a car, you are responsible for following all traffic laws in the state where you are driving. Speed limits, seat belt laws, and phone use laws vary by state. Rental companies are not liable for traffic violations you receive, but you are. If you get a speeding ticket or parking ticket, the rental company will provide your contact information to the court, and you will receive a bill.
Some rental companies charge an additional processing fee if you receive a traffic violation in their car—typically $15 to $25 on top of the fine itself. This fee appears on your credit card statement weeks after you return the car. To avoid this, follow posted speed limits and parking signs carefully. If you are unsure about a traffic law, ask the rental agent when you pick up the car.
If you are involved in an accident, stop when ready, call the police, and call the rental company. Do not leave the scene. Provide your IDP, home country license, and passport to the police officer. The rental company will handle the insurance claim, but you may be liable for a deductible if you did not purchase their damage waiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car with just my IDP and no home country license?
No. Rental companies require both your IDP and your original home country license together. The IDP is a translation of your home country license, not a replacement for it. You must present both documents, along with your passport, to complete the rental.
What if my IDP has expired but my home country license is still valid?
An expired IDP is not valid for driving or renting. You need a current IDP. If yours has expired, you must obtain a new one from your home country's automobile association or licensing authority before you travel. This can take several weeks, so plan ahead if your IDP is nearing expiration.
Do I need an International Driving Permit if I have a U.S. state driver license?
No. If you hold a valid U.S. state driver license, you do not need an IDP to rent a car in the United States. Use your U.S. license instead—it is simpler and rental companies prefer it. An IDP is only necessary if you do not have a U.S. license.
Will my home country auto insurance cover a rental car in the U.S.?
Probably not. Most home country auto insurance policies do not extend to rental cars in the United States. Check your policy before you travel. If you are not covered, purchase the rental company's damage waiver or collision insurance, or use a credit card that offers rental car coverage.
Can I rent a car if my passport expires in three months?
Some rental companies require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your rental dates. Others do not. Call the rental company and tell them your passport expiration date. If they refuse because of it, you will need to renew your passport before you can rent.