Does Enterprise require an IDP in Vatican City?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Enterprise in Vatican City: 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.
The world's smallest state drives on the right but has virtually no public roads to drive; visitors enter Rome's road network, where Italian rules and IDPs apply.
In Vatican City specifically, vatican City 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. No rental desks exist; cars are hired in Rome under Italian requirements.
Enterprise runs a global network; at its Vatican City desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Vatican City drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Enterprise counter in Vatican City
- 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 EUR deposit; Vatican City drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Vatican City Enterprise renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Effectively pedestrian within the walls.
- Italian rules apply on surrounding roads.
- 0.05% alcohol limit (Italian standard).
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 Vatican City
There are no tolls within the city-state; you only encounter Italy's autostrada tolls (Telepass or cash/card barriers) when driving toward Rome.
No tourist parking exists inside the Vatican; park in nearby Rome garages such as Garage San Pietro or the Vatican Museums lot (around EUR 20/day) and walk in.
Because tourists drive in surrounding Italy, Italian penalties apply: speeding fines start around EUR 40-170 and rise with severity, handheld phone use and no seatbelt are fined, and ZTL camera fines plus rental admin fees arrive by post.
For any incident at the edge of the enclave call Italy's 112; in Italy you exchange details on a CAI/European Accident Statement and must not move vehicles before documenting if there are injuries.
Full driving guide for Vatican City →