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Alamo · Honduras

Does Alamo require an IDP in Honduras?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
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Honduras lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Alamo still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter.
Alamo in Honduras
Alamo IDP policyRecommended for non-Roman-alphabet licences
Alamo footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

Alamo in Honduras: the policy in plain terms

Asks for a licence translation when the licence is in a non-Latin alphabet, and suggests one for all international renters. Leisure-focused brand popular for airport pickups.

Honduras drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin-script holders.

In Honduras specifically, honduras lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Alamo still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula desks accept many licences; an IDP helps.

Alamo runs a global network; at its Honduras desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Honduras drives on the right, uses the HNL, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.

What to bring to the Alamo counter in Honduras

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the HNL deposit; Honduras drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Honduras Alamo renters should know

  • Drive on the right.
  • Avoid night driving on rural roads.
  • 0.07% alcohol limit.
  • Carry passport and home licence.

Alamo's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

Alamo's standard minimum rental age in the US is 21 (18 in Michigan and New York where state law requires it); renters aged 21-24 pay a "young/youthful driver" surcharge that averages about $25 per day but varies by location (for example roughly $13/day in Michigan and $20/day in New York), and under-25 renters may be restricted to certain car classes.

Deposit & accepted cards

A major credit card in the primary renter's name is required at most locations; debit/check cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo are accepted at airport locations only with a ticketed return travel itinerary (Discover not accepted in Canada), and the name/address on the card and license must match, with a hold placed at pickup that reduces available funds.

Additional drivers

Additional authorized drivers typically cost about $15 per day each (around $5/day in New York), and every additional driver must also meet the minimum-age and license requirements; some promotions or contracted/corporate rates waive the fee. Alamo requires each driver to hold a valid, unexpired driver's license; the license must have been issued before the rental and held for the qualifying period, with locations commonly expecting it to have been held for at least 1 year.

Cross-border & one-way

Vehicles rented in the US may typically be driven throughout the US and Canada but cannot be taken into Mexico; vehicles rented in Canada may be driven in Canada and the US. Cross-border and one-way rentals must be disclosed and authorized at the counter, and one-way availability and drop fees vary by location.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

Alamo states an International Driving Permit cannot be used on its own and the home-country license must always be presented; an IDP is recommended (not required) when the license uses Roman/English letters, but is required when the license is in a non-Roman alphabet (e.g. Russian, Japanese, Arabic), with a typed professional translation as a substitute if no IDP is available.

Once you collect the keys in Honduras

Tolls & road charges

A few primary corridors such as the CA-5 (Tegucigalpa-San Pedro Sula) have toll plazas (peajes) charging small amounts payable in cash (lempiras), typically under L40; most roads are toll-free.

Parking in town

In Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula use guarded lots (estacionamiento) or hotel/mall parking rather than the street, especially after dark; informal attendants ('cuidacarros') expect a few lempiras to watch a car. Avoid leaving valuables visible due to theft risk.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police checkpoints are frequent and may issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt or phone use; officers can hold your licence until a fine is paid, and rental firms pass camera/transit fines to the card on file plus an admin fee.

If you have an accident

Do not move the vehicles until the transit police (Policia de Transito) arrive and issue a report; call 911 for police and ambulance. The police report is required for any insurance or rental-company claim.

Full driving guide for Honduras

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Alamo in Honduras?
Honduras lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Alamo still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Alamo states an International Driving Permit cannot be used on its own and the home-country license must always be presented; an IDP is recommended (not required) when the license uses Roman/English letters, but is required when the license is in a non-Roman alphabet (e.g. Russian, Japanese, Arabic), with a typed professional translation as a substitute if no IDP is available.
02
What documents should I bring to the Alamo desk in Honduras?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Honduras drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Alamo in Honduras?
Alamo's standard minimum rental age in the US is 21 (18 in Michigan and New York where state law requires it); renters aged 21-24 pay a "young/youthful driver" surcharge that averages about $25 per day but varies by location (for example roughly $13/day in Michigan and $20/day in New York), and under-25 renters may be restricted to certain car classes. Locally, Honduras sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Alamo require?
A major credit card in the primary renter's name is required at most locations; debit/check cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard or Discover logo are accepted at airport locations only with a ticketed return travel itinerary (Discover not accepted in Canada), and the name/address on the card and license must match, with a hold placed at pickup that reduces available funds.
05
Can I take a Alamo rental across the border or drop it one-way?
Vehicles rented in the US may typically be driven throughout the US and Canada but cannot be taken into Mexico; vehicles rented in Canada may be driven in Canada and the US. Cross-border and one-way rentals must be disclosed and authorized at the counter, and one-way availability and drop fees vary by location.
06
Does Alamo charge for an additional driver?
Additional authorized drivers typically cost about $15 per day each (around $5/day in New York), and every additional driver must also meet the minimum-age and license requirements; some promotions or contracted/corporate rates waive the fee. Alamo requires each driver to hold a valid, unexpired driver's license; the license must have been issued before the rental and held for the qualifying period, with locations commonly expecting it to have been held for at least 1 year.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Honduras?
A few primary corridors such as the CA-5 (Tegucigalpa-San Pedro Sula) have toll plazas (peajes) charging small amounts payable in cash (lempiras), typically under L40; most roads are toll-free.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Alamo car in Honduras?
Police checkpoints are frequent and may issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt or phone use; officers can hold your licence until a fine is paid, and rental firms pass camera/transit fines to the card on file plus an admin fee.
09
What is Alamo's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation when the licence is in a non-Latin alphabet, and suggests one for all international renters. Alamo is part of Enterprise Mobility (formerly Enterprise Holdings) alongside Enterprise and National, with a large US airport footprint and the free Alamo Insiders loyalty program offering discounts and skip-the-counter options.
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