Does Europcar require an IDP in Latvia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Latvia: 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.
Latvia drives on the right with year-round daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP with their national licence.
In Latvia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Latvia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Riga desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Latvia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Latvia drives on the right, uses the EUR, 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 Latvia
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Latvia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Latvia Europcar renters should know
- Headlights on at all times.
- Winter tyres mandatory Dec–Feb.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for new drivers.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
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 Latvia
Latvia has no toll motorways or general car vignette - passenger cars under 3.5t drive the road network free of charge; only heavy goods vehicles pay an electronic vignette (Eurovignette/Latvijas system).
Riga uses six paid zones with meters and the Mobilly app, the central zones being most expensive and time-limited; pay-and-display is strictly enforced and illegally parked cars in the centre can be clamped or towed.
Fines are issued as administrative reports - police cannot collect cash on the spot, you have 30 days to pay; speeding starts around EUR 20, no-seatbelt around EUR 30, and handheld phone use is prohibited. Rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with an admin fee.
Call 112 for injuries; for damage-only collisions where parties agree you can complete the European Accident Statement without police, but you must notify the rental company and obtain a report, and you must not move vehicles before documenting if there is injury or dispute.
Full driving guide for Latvia →