Does Europcar require an IDP in Antigua and Barbuda?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Antigua and Barbuda: the policy in plain terms
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Antigua and Barbuda drive on the left and require visitors to buy a local temporary driving permit at the rental desk, often alongside an IDP.
In Antigua and Barbuda specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Antigua and Barbuda ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. A local temporary permit is issued on top of your licence; an IDP helps.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Antigua and Barbuda desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Antigua and Barbuda drives on the left, uses the XCD, 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 Europcar counter in Antigua and Barbuda
- 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 XCD deposit; Antigua and Barbuda drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Antigua and Barbuda Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Buy a local temporary driving permit.
- Narrow, winding roads.
- Seatbelts mandatory.
Europcar's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Europcar's typical minimum rental age is 21 (some categories and countries allow rental from 18 on selected vehicles), and a Young Driver Surcharge applies to drivers aged roughly 22 to 25 - published at around EUR 30 per day in addition to the rental cost, with the exact amount varying by country per the local Specific Terms.
Europcar accepts only a credit card in the main driver's name (valid with an expiry date after the scheduled return) for the deposit; the deposit amount is blocked - not debited - on the card at pick-up, or within 48 hours before pick-up for Online Check-In, and debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit.
Only drivers registered on the rental contract may drive the car, and each additional driver must meet the same age and licence-held requirements; an additional-driver fee typically applies and is set per country. The driver must have held a full valid driving licence for at least one year (the from-18 categories also require one year's licence holding).
Cross-border travel must be declared and authorised, and in the UK taking a vehicle abroad requires the mandatory Europdrive product (24/7 overseas breakdown cover plus VE103B proof of ownership and a Green Card); for one-way rentals a one-way fee is charged and is included in the displayed price when pickup and return locations differ.
Europcar requires a full valid licence held at least one year; if the licence is not written in English (or the language of the country of rental) the driver must present an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original national licence - this typically applies to non-Roman/non-Latin-alphabet licences, while an IDP is usually not required to drive within the EU.
Once you collect the keys in Antigua and Barbuda
There are no toll roads or toll systems anywhere in Antigua and Barbuda; all public roads are free to use.
Parking in St. John's is informal with no large paid-meter network; use marked lots and avoid blocking narrow streets or yellow-lined areas, where vehicles can be ticketed or towed.
Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants and handheld phone use at the wheel is illegal; police can issue on-the-spot fines, and rental firms pass any tickets (plus an admin fee) to the renter's card.
For minor damage with no injuries you need not call emergency services, but exchange details and notify your rental firm; if anyone is injured or a vehicle is undriveable, call 911/999, do not move the vehicles and wait for police.
Full driving guide for Antigua and Barbuda →