Issued in as fast as 8 minutesInstant digital delivery to your inboxUsed in 195+ countries
International Driver LicenceIDP-format licence translation service
Enterprise · United States

Does Enterprise require an IDP in United States?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Recommended
United States lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Enterprise still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter.
Enterprise in United States
Enterprise IDP policyRecommended for non-Roman-alphabet licences
Enterprise footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum rental age16+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

Enterprise in United States: 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.

Foreign visitors may drive on a valid home licence; an IDP provides a certified translation many rental desks and police prefer.

In United States specifically, united States lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Enterprise still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget and National recommend an IDP for non-English licences.

Enterprise runs a global network; at its United States desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. United States drives on the right, uses the USD, and sets a minimum driving age of 16; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.

What to bring to the Enterprise counter in United States

  • 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 USD deposit; United States drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in United States Enterprise renters should know

  • Traffic laws vary by state.
  • Right turn on red generally permitted after stopping.
  • School-bus stop laws strictly enforced.
  • Alcohol limit 0.08% (lower for commercial/under-21).

Enterprise's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

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).

Deposit & accepted cards

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.

Additional drivers

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.

Cross-border & one-way

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.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

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 United States

Tolls & road charges

Tolling is regional and increasingly cashless/license-plate based; common transponders are E-ZPass (Northeast/Midwest), SunPass (Florida) and FasTrak (California). Rental firms offer toll-pass add-ons (e.g. Enterprise/Hertz) or bill plate-read tolls back with daily admin fees.

Parking in town

Cities use metered/app-based parking (ParkMobile, PayByPhone) with strictly enforced street-cleaning, permit-only and colored-curb rules; a painted red curb means no stopping. Violations bring tickets, booting or towing, and rental firms pass on unpaid citations.

Fines & camera enforcement

Fines for speeding, handheld phone use and no seatbelt vary by state and city and are issued by police, usually paid later by mail/online (not roadside cash). Speed/red-light camera tickets and unpaid tolls are forwarded to renters with an administrative surcharge.

If you have an accident

Call 911 for any injury or serious crash. Move vehicles out of traffic only if safe, exchange insurance and licence details, photograph the scene, and file a police report (required in most states above a damage threshold); notify the rental company promptly.

Full driving guide for United States

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Enterprise in United States?
United States lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Enterprise still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. 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).
02
What documents should I bring to the Enterprise desk in United States?
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. United States drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 16+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Enterprise in United States?
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). Locally, United States sets a minimum driving age of 16 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Enterprise require?
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.
05
Can I take a Enterprise rental across the border or drop it one-way?
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.
06
Does Enterprise charge for an additional driver?
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.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in United States?
Tolling is regional and increasingly cashless/license-plate based; common transponders are E-ZPass (Northeast/Midwest), SunPass (Florida) and FasTrak (California). Rental firms offer toll-pass add-ons (e.g. Enterprise/Hertz) or bill plate-read tolls back with daily admin fees.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Enterprise car in United States?
Fines for speeding, handheld phone use and no seatbelt vary by state and city and are issued by police, usually paid later by mail/online (not roadside cash). Speed/red-light camera tickets and unpaid tolls are forwarded to renters with an administrative surcharge.
09
What is Enterprise's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation alongside your home licence in many countries across Europe, Asia and South America. Enterprise is the flagship of Enterprise Mobility, the world's largest car-rental company by fleet size and locations, with a vast neighborhood-branch network beyond airports and the Enterprise Plus loyalty program.
Excellent
reviews
Not usable? You don't payGet my permit · $49