Does Europcar require an IDP in Kenya?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Kenya: 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.
An IDP is commonly requested for tourists driving in Kenya.
In Kenya specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Kenya ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested at rental desks; safari self-drive needs a 4x4.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Kenya desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Kenya drives on the left, uses the KES, 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 Kenya
- 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 KES deposit; Kenya drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Kenya Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Carry licence, IDP and passport.
- Wildlife and pedestrians near roads.
- Police checkpoints are routine.
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 Kenya
Kenya's main toll is the Nairobi Expressway (Mlolongo-JKIA-Westlands), priced by entry/exit pair from about KES 170 up to KES 500 for a car; pay cash at manual lanes or use an ETC tag, while most other highways are toll-free.
Nairobi CBD parking requires a county daily parking fee (payable via the county M-Pesa paybill or attendants); unpaid or wrongly parked cars are clamped or towed, and guarded private lots are safer.
Speeding, seatbelt and phone offences draw fines under the Traffic Act; if stopped, always insist on an official receipt and the cited section rather than paying roadside, and ask to go to a police station if pressured.
Call 999 or 112 for police and ambulance; report the accident and obtain an OB (Occurrence Book) number at the nearest police station, which insurers require, and never offer cash to officers as bribery is illegal.
Full driving guide for Kenya →