Renting a car abroad should be the easy part of the trip. In reality, the rental counter is where trips stall: missing documents, surprise deposits, refused cards. Here's the checklist that gets you the keys without drama.
Before you fly
✅ Driving licence — valid, physical (not just an app), with at least 6 months before expiry.
✅ International Driving Permit — required or expected in most non-English-speaking destinations like Italy, Croatia, Thailand and Mexico. Get yours online in minutes →
✅ Credit card in the main driver's name — most companies won't accept debit cards or someone else's card for the deposit.
✅ Booking confirmation — printed or offline copy; airport Wi-Fi has ruined many pickups.
At the counter
Decline nothing blindly, sign nothing blindly. Check what excess (deductible) your rate includes, whether a deposit hold will be placed on your card, and if cross-border driving is allowed if you plan to leave the country (common in the Balkans).
At the car
Film a slow walk-around video of the car — every panel, wheels, windscreen, and the fuel gauge. Timestamped photos are the cheapest damage-claim insurance in existence.
The one thing people forget
The IDP is the most commonly missing document, because rental sites bury it in the small print. If your licence isn't in the local language, assume the counter will ask. A digital IDP delivered by email takes minutes to arrange — even the night before pickup. Sort it now →
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What documents do I need to rent a car abroad?
Your national driving licence, an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in the local language, your passport, and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.
Why do rental companies ask for an IDP?
The IDP is the standardized translation of your licence that rental staff can verify instantly. Without it, many branches will refuse to release the car — with no refund of prepaid bookings.
Can I get an IDP at the airport?
No — you should arrange it before you travel. Online services like GetIDPermit deliver a digital IDP by email within minutes, so you can even fix it from the departure lounge.