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Avis · Guatemala

Does Avis require an IDP in Guatemala?

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

Avis in Guatemala: the policy in plain terms

Asks for a licence translation where the national licence is not in the Roman alphabet or where local rules call for one. Long-established global brand operating in 165+ countries.

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

In Guatemala specifically, guatemala lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Avis still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Guatemala City desks accept many licences; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.

Avis runs a global network; at its Guatemala desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Guatemala drives on the right, uses the GTQ, 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 Avis counter in Guatemala

  • 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 GTQ deposit; Guatemala drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Guatemala Avis renters should know

  • Drive on the right.
  • Avoid night driving outside cities.
  • 0.08% alcohol limit.
  • Topes (speed bumps) frequent in towns.

Avis's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

Avis's standard minimum rental age is 25, though it rents to drivers as young as 21 in most US states/provinces (some locations require 25 by local law); renters aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly $25 per day in the US (about $35/day in Canada).

Deposit & accepted cards

Avis requires an Avis-honored credit or charge card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) and places an authorization hold covering the estimated charges plus a security amount; Visa/Mastercard debit cards are accepted at most US locations but are subject to stricter checks, and the card must be in the renter's name.

Additional drivers

Additional drivers must be at least 25 (or meet the underage rules) with a valid licence and typically cost about $13 per day, capped near $65 per rental; in California the fee is waived for a spouse, parent, sibling or child of the renter. Avis requires a valid driver's licence held for the entire rental period that is not suspended, expired, revoked, cancelled or surrendered; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the US, though some international locations require the licence to have been held for 1-2 years.

Cross-border & one-way

Avis generally permits US-to-Canada travel if the renting location is notified in advance, but driving into Mexico is restricted (typically corporate accounts only, no one-way, and Mexican insurance purchased through Avis from border states); one-way rentals are offered with a drop-off charge that may apply on certain rates.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

Avis states that "International Driver's Permits are valid only if presented with the original local license. An International Driver's Permit is not acceptable by itself." Foreign licences are accepted if the issuing country participated in the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or has a reciprocal agreement with the US; non-Roman-alphabet licences effectively require an IDP, and renters with a foreign licence may need to present a passport.

Once you collect the keys in Guatemala

Tolls & road charges

There are essentially no toll motorways; the privately run Autopista Palín–Escuintla (CA-9 toward the Pacific) is the notable exception, charged in cash quetzales at the booth.

Parking in town

Guatemala City and Antigua have metered street parking and private lots costing roughly Q10-40 (about USD 1-5); always use guarded/attended lots where possible to avoid theft.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police fine speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, sometimes on the spot in cash; carry registration and insurance for the frequent highway/military checkpoints, and rental firms pass on any unpaid fines.

If you have an accident

Call 110 (PNC police) or 1554/PROATUR tourist assistance; do not move the vehicles and wait for authorities, as in serious or injury crashes all involved drivers can be detained until fault is established.

Full driving guide for Guatemala

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Avis in Guatemala?
Guatemala lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Avis still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Avis states that "International Driver's Permits are valid only if presented with the original local license. An International Driver's Permit is not acceptable by itself." Foreign licences are accepted if the issuing country participated in the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or has a reciprocal agreement with the US; non-Roman-alphabet licences effectively require an IDP, and renters with a foreign licence may need to present a passport.
02
What documents should I bring to the Avis desk in Guatemala?
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. Guatemala drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Avis in Guatemala?
Avis's standard minimum rental age is 25, though it rents to drivers as young as 21 in most US states/provinces (some locations require 25 by local law); renters aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly $25 per day in the US (about $35/day in Canada). Locally, Guatemala sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Avis require?
Avis requires an Avis-honored credit or charge card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) and places an authorization hold covering the estimated charges plus a security amount; Visa/Mastercard debit cards are accepted at most US locations but are subject to stricter checks, and the card must be in the renter's name.
05
Can I take a Avis rental across the border or drop it one-way?
Avis generally permits US-to-Canada travel if the renting location is notified in advance, but driving into Mexico is restricted (typically corporate accounts only, no one-way, and Mexican insurance purchased through Avis from border states); one-way rentals are offered with a drop-off charge that may apply on certain rates.
06
Does Avis charge for an additional driver?
Additional drivers must be at least 25 (or meet the underage rules) with a valid licence and typically cost about $13 per day, capped near $65 per rental; in California the fee is waived for a spouse, parent, sibling or child of the renter. Avis requires a valid driver's licence held for the entire rental period that is not suspended, expired, revoked, cancelled or surrendered; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the US, though some international locations require the licence to have been held for 1-2 years.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Guatemala?
There are essentially no toll motorways; the privately run Autopista Palín–Escuintla (CA-9 toward the Pacific) is the notable exception, charged in cash quetzales at the booth.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Avis car in Guatemala?
Police fine speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, sometimes on the spot in cash; carry registration and insurance for the frequent highway/military checkpoints, and rental firms pass on any unpaid fines.
09
What is Avis's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation where the national licence is not in the Roman alphabet or where local rules call for one. Avis is one of the largest global rental brands with about 5,500+ locations across roughly 165 countries and a strong airport presence, anchored by its Avis Preferred loyalty program.
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