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Avis · Papua New Guinea

Does Avis require an IDP in Papua New Guinea?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in Papua New Guinea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter.
Avis in Papua New Guinea
Avis IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
Avis footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theLeft

Avis in Papua New Guinea: 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.

Papua New Guinea drives on the left; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and rugged terrain means many roads need a 4x4.

In Papua New Guinea specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Papua New Guinea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter. Port Moresby desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised for the highlands.

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

  • 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 PGK deposit; Papua New Guinea drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Papua New Guinea Avis renters should know

  • Drive on the left.
  • Rough, mountainous roads.
  • 0.05% alcohol limit.
  • Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

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 Papua New Guinea

Tolls & road charges

Papua New Guinea has no toll roads or electronic toll/vignette system; the limited sealed highway network (such as the Highlands Highway) is free but often in poor, unsealed condition.

Parking in town

There are no formal paid-parking zones; in Port Moresby use guarded, fenced car parks at hotels and shopping centres (e.g. Vision City) rather than street parking, which carries a real theft and carjacking risk.

Fines & camera enforcement

Speed limits are about 60 km/h in towns and up to 100 km/h on open highways; police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, seatbelt and phone offences, and rental firms recover any fines from the renter. Roadblocks and informal demands occur.

If you have an accident

The national emergency number is 000 (police), though response is slow and limited outside Port Moresby; after a serious crash do not stop in unsafe areas and instead drive to the nearest police station to report, as a report is required for insurance.

Full driving guide for Papua New Guinea

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Avis in Papua New Guinea?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Papua New Guinea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it 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 Papua New Guinea?
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. Papua New Guinea drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Avis in Papua New Guinea?
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, Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea has no toll roads or electronic toll/vignette system; the limited sealed highway network (such as the Highlands Highway) is free but often in poor, unsealed condition.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Avis car in Papua New Guinea?
Speed limits are about 60 km/h in towns and up to 100 km/h on open highways; police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, seatbelt and phone offences, and rental firms recover any fines from the renter. Roadblocks and informal demands occur.
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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