Does Enterprise require an IDP in Papua New Guinea?
Enterprise in Papua New Guinea: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation alongside your home licence in many countries across Europe, Asia and South America. The world's largest car-rental brand by fleet size.
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 Enterprise will typically ask for it at the counter. Port Moresby desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised for the highlands.
Enterprise 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 Enterprise 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 Enterprise renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Rough, mountainous roads.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Enterprise's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Enterprise's minimum rental age is 21 in most of the U.S. (18 in Michigan and New York, and 18 for U.S. government employees on official orders); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Young Renter Fee" that typically averages around $25/day but varies by location (e.g., 21-24 is $15.75/day in Michigan and $30.75/day in New York, with 18-20 fees of $36.50 and $64.75/day respectively).
The contract holder must present their own credit card in their name with sufficient available credit; deposits typically run between $200 and $850 depending on location and vehicle class (airport holds are typically about 120% of the rental). Debit cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover logo may be accepted at some locations, but at airports only with a ticketed return-travel itinerary, and prepaid cards are not accepted.
Each additional authorized driver is typically charged about $15.00 per day, but a renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements is added at no charge. Enterprise requires each renter and additional driver to hold a valid, unexpired driver's licence; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the U.S., though young-renter (under-25) restrictions and surcharges apply instead.
Taking a U.S.-rented vehicle across the Mexican or Canadian border requires advance approval; renters must contact the renting branch or call center for the correct procedure and any required insurance, and cross-border travel is restricted or prohibited at many locations. One-way rentals are offered but availability and drop-off fees vary by branch.
For renters under 25, Enterprise states it does not accept an International Driver's Permit as identification; a valid photo driver's licence is required. Foreign renters generally need their home-country licence (an IDP is recommended as a translation supplement but is not a stand-alone substitute for the licence).
Once you collect the keys 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.
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.
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.
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 →