Does Europcar require an IDP in Fiji?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Fiji: 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.
Fiji drives on the left and lets visitors use a valid English licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-English licences.
In Fiji specifically, fiji lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Europcar still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Nadi desks accept English licences; an IDP helps non-English drivers.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Fiji desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Fiji drives on the left, uses the FJD, 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 Europcar counter in Fiji
- 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 FJD deposit; Fiji drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Fiji Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Watch for pedestrians and animals in villages.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Unsealed roads on smaller islands.
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 Fiji
Fiji has no toll roads, so no vignettes, passes or booths to deal with anywhere on Viti Levu or the other islands.
In Suva and Nadi you must buy and display a ticket from parking meters/wardens where signed; wardens are strict and fines start around FJD 20, so always pay the meter and observe time limits.
Hand-held phone use is banned and seatbelts are mandatory; police enforce speeding with on-the-spot fines, and parking wardens ticket aggressively. Rental firms recover unpaid fines and parking tickets from your card.
Stop and call police on 917 (general emergency 112; fire/ambulance 911), collect witness and driver details, photograph the scene, and ask police for a copy of their report for your insurer and the hire company.