Does Alamo require an IDP in Paraguay?
Alamo in Paraguay: 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.
Paraguay drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised with your national licence for desks and checkpoints.
In Paraguay specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Paraguay ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Alamo will typically ask for it at the counter. Asunción desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
Alamo runs a global network; at its Paraguay desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Paraguay drives on the right, uses the PYG, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.
What to bring to the Alamo counter in Paraguay
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the PYG deposit; Paraguay drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Paraguay Alamo renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on highways during the day.
- 0.0% alcohol tolerance.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Alamo's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
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.
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 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.
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.
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 Paraguay
National routes have toll plazas (peajes) run by the MOPC, including Ypacarai between Asuncion and Caacupe and the Remanso and Ybyrarobana booths around the capital; pay the modest fee in Guaranies cash.
Central Asuncion uses paid on-street parking and attended lots; illegally parked cars in the microcentro can be towed, so prefer guarded estacionamientos.
Transit police (Policia Caminera) fine speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, sometimes expecting payment on the spot; rental firms charge any unpaid or camera fines back to the driver.
Call 911 for police and the SEME ambulance service on 141; leave the vehicles in place for a serious crash until the Policia Nacional/Caminera files a report, which is required for insurance and rental claims.
Full driving guide for Paraguay →