Does Alamo require an IDP in Russia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Alamo in Russia: 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.
Russia drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP helps translate non-Cyrillic licences for desks and police.
In Russia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Russia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Alamo will typically ask for it at the counter. Desks ask for an IDP for any non-Cyrillic licence.
Alamo runs a global network; at its Russia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Russia drives on the right, uses the RUB, 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 Russia
- 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 RUB deposit; Russia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Russia Alamo renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
- Headlights on at all times.
- 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 Russia
Most roads are free, but several modern highways (e.g. the M11 Neva Moscow-St Petersburg and M4 Don sections) are tolled; pay cash or card at toll plazas, or use a T-pass/Transponder transponder for the barrier lanes.
Central Moscow and St Petersburg have paid zones marked by blue signs, paid via the Moscow Parking app, parkomat machines or SMS; unpaid or wrongly parked cars are ticketed by camera and frequently towed to an impound lot.
Foreign drivers face common fines such as roughly 500 RUB for no seatbelt, 1,500 RUB for handheld phone use and 500-5,000 RUB for speeding bands; many are camera-issued, and rental firms deduct camera penalties plus an admin fee from your card.
Dial 112 (general emergency) or 102 for police; you must call the traffic police (GIBDD, formerly GAI) and obtain their report, and you must not move the vehicles until they document the scene unless a minor crash qualifies for the Europrotokol self-report form.
Full driving guide for Russia →