Does Europcar require an IDP in Bahrain?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Bahrain: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Latin-alphabet licences across its European network. Europe's leading mobility brand.
Bahrain drives on the right and enforces zero alcohol behind the wheel; tourists should carry an IDP with their national licence.
In Bahrain specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Bahrain ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Manama desks request an IDP for most non-GCC licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Bahrain desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Bahrain drives on the right, uses the BHD, 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 Bahrain
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the BHD deposit; Bahrain drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Bahrain Europcar renters should know
- Zero-tolerance alcohol law while driving.
- Speed cameras widespread.
- Seatbelts mandatory front and rear.
- Phone use while driving heavily fined.
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 Bahrain
Bahrain has no toll roads or vignette system, including the causeways within the kingdom, so tourists pay no road tolls. (Crossing the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia involves separate causeway and border fees.)
Manama and central districts have paid parking zones with meters and designated lots; signage shows time limits and charges. Illegally parked vehicles are fined and may be towed, and enforcement applies equally to tourists.
Camera enforcement is heavy and rental firms pass fines (plus an admin fee) to the renter; speeding up to 30% over the limit carries BHD 50-250, mobile-phone use roughly BHD 200, and seatbelt/child-seat breaches BHD 20-100. Serious speeding can mean far larger fines or imprisonment.
Call 199 for traffic accidents without injuries and 999 if anyone is hurt; you will be directed to one of the accident report centres to file a report. Do not move the vehicles before reporting, as a police report is mandatory for any insurance claim.
Full driving guide for Bahrain →