Does Europcar require an IDP in Mauritania?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Mauritania: 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.
Mauritania drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, and much of the country is open Saharan desert.
In Mauritania specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Mauritania ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Nouakchott desks request an IDP; 4x4 essential for desert crossings.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Mauritania desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Mauritania drives on the right, uses the MRU, 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 Mauritania
- 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 MRU deposit; Mauritania drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Mauritania Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Sand drifts across desert roads.
- Alcohol is prohibited.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
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 Mauritania
There are no toll roads in Mauritania, so no vignette or e-tag is needed. The main paved corridors (e.g. Nouakchott-Nouadhibou, Nouakchott-Rosso) are free to use.
Parking is largely unregulated and informal, with no paid colour-coded zones; in central Nouakchott self-appointed gardiens will watch your car for a small tip. Avoid leaving vehicles unattended off main streets.
Police roadblocks may levy on-the-spot cash fines for licence, insurance or document irregularities, so insist on a receipt. The mandatory windscreen insurance sticker (about 950 MRU / US$26 for 10 days) is checked and its absence draws an immediate penalty.
A police report must be filed for any crash; if there is injury or death the drivers involved are typically detained until a judge determines responsibility. Dial 117 for police (response is slow outside Nouakchott) and do not move vehicles before officers attend where possible.
Full driving guide for Mauritania →