Does Avis require an IDP in Mauritania?

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).

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 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.

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.

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.

There are no toll roads in Mauritania, so no vignette or e-tag is needed. The main paved corridors (e.g. Nouakchott-Nouadhibou, Nouakchott-Rosso) are free to use.

Parking is largely unregulated and informal, with no paid colour-coded zones; in central Nouakchott self-appointed gardiens will watch your car for a small tip. Avoid leaving vehicles unattended off main streets.

Police roadblocks may levy on-the-spot cash fines for licence, insurance or document irregularities, so insist on a receipt. The mandatory windscreen insurance sticker (about 950 MRU / US$26 for 10 days) is checked and its absence draws an immediate penalty.

A police report must be filed for any crash; if there is injury or death the drivers involved are typically detained until a judge determines responsibility. Dial 117 for police (response is slow outside Nouakchott) and do not move vehicles before officers attend where possible.