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Avis · Samoa

Does Avis require an IDP in Samoa?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in Samoa 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 Samoa
Avis IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
Avis footprintGlobal
Accepted formatLocal rules
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theLeft

Avis in Samoa: 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.

Samoa switched to driving on the left in 2009; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and a local temporary permit may be required.

In Samoa specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Samoa ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter. Apia desks may issue a local temporary permit; an IDP helps.

Avis runs a global network; at its Samoa desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Samoa drives on the left, uses the WST, 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 Samoa

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the WST deposit; Samoa drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Samoa Avis renters should know

  • Drive on the left (since 2009).
  • Low speed limits in villages.
  • 0.08% alcohol limit.
  • Watch for pedestrians and pigs on roads.

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 Samoa

Tolls & road charges

Samoa has no toll roads, vignettes or electronic tolls; all roads on Upolu and Savai'i are free to use.

Parking in town

There are no paid metered zones; parking in Apia is free but limited along Beach Road and at the market, so use off-street lots, and avoid blocking village access roads where local rules and fines apply.

Fines & camera enforcement

Speed limits are 40 km/h in towns/villages and 56 km/h on the open road; seatbelts are compulsory and handheld phone use is banned, with police issuing fines that rental firms pass on to the renter. Speeding through villages draws particular enforcement.

If you have an accident

Dial 911 for police, ambulance or fire (+685 911 from a mobile); for any injury or significant damage stop, do not move vehicles, and report to police, as a report is required and at-fault liability can be taken seriously in villages.

Full driving guide for Samoa

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Avis in Samoa?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Samoa 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 Samoa?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Samoa drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Avis in Samoa?
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, Samoa 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 Samoa?
Samoa has no toll roads, vignettes or electronic tolls; all roads on Upolu and Savai'i are free to use.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Avis car in Samoa?
Speed limits are 40 km/h in towns/villages and 56 km/h on the open road; seatbelts are compulsory and handheld phone use is banned, with police issuing fines that rental firms pass on to the renter. Speeding through villages draws particular enforcement.
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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