Does Europcar require an IDP in Kazakhstan?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Kazakhstan: 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.
Kazakhstan drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP is advised to translate non-Cyrillic licences.
In Kazakhstan specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Kazakhstan ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Almaty and Astana desks ask for an IDP with non-Cyrillic licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Kazakhstan desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Kazakhstan drives on the right, uses the KZT, 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 Kazakhstan
- 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 KZT deposit; Kazakhstan drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Kazakhstan Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
- Headlights on outside cities.
- Long, remote highways between cities.
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 Kazakhstan
Major arteries such as the Astana-Almaty corridor and sections of the A1/A2/A3 are tolled; tourists usually pay electronically via the national operator (KazAvtoZhol/tollroad system, often through plate-linked accounts or roadside terminals), and rates are modest (a few hundred tenge per segment). Carry cash as some points and fuel stations don't take cards.
Almaty and Astana run paid municipal zones managed by the 'Almaty Parking'/'Astana Park' apps, payable by app, SMS or terminal (Qiwi, Kassa24); unpaid parking in marked zones risks fines and towing, so use the app or guarded lots.
Traffic police actively enforce speeding, phone use and the 0.0/strict drink-drive limit; fines are calculated in MCI units and, while officially paid via bank/Kaspi, foreigners should refuse informal cash demands and insist on an official receipt. Rental firms recover camera and unpaid fines from the renter's card.
Call 102 for police or the unified emergency number 112, do not move the vehicles, and wait for the traffic police (whose report is required for insurance and the rental firm) before clearing the road.
Full driving guide for Kazakhstan →