Does Europcar require an IDP in Moldova?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Moldova: 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.
Moldova drives on the right and uses both Latin and Cyrillic signage; an IDP is advised alongside your licence.
In Moldova specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Moldova ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Chișinău desks ask for an IDP with non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Moldova desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Moldova drives on the right, uses the MDL, 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 Moldova
- 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 MDL deposit; Moldova drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Moldova Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on outside towns.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol policy.
- 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 Moldova
There are no electronic toll motorways. Foreign-registered vehicles pay a road-use vignette on entry (about EUR 4 for up to 7 days), bought at the border and displayed on the windscreen.
In Chisinau use marked paid zones and central car parks; metered/app or attendant payment is common and unofficial 'parking helpers' may approach. Avoid blocking courtyards and tram lanes, where towing occurs.
Speeding fines commonly run from roughly EUR 30 up to EUR 60+ for serious excess, with phone and seatbelt offences also penalised; police may issue on-the-spot fines payable to the state, never directly in cash to the officer. Rentals pass camera/police fines back to the renter.
Call 112 for police and ambulance. Do not move vehicles before police document the scene; an official police report (proces-verbal) is mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.
Full driving guide for Moldova →