Does Europcar require an IDP in North Korea?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in North Korea: 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.
North Korea drives on the right, but independent driving by tourists is not permitted; all travel is on guided, state-arranged transport.
In North Korea specifically, north Korea lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Europcar still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. No tourist car rental exists; transport is state-controlled.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its North Korea desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. North Korea drives on the right, uses the KPW, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Europcar counter in North Korea
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the KPW deposit; North Korea drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in North Korea Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right (not applicable to tourists).
- Independent driving is prohibited.
- All movement is guided.
- Roads outside Pyongyang are sparse.
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 North Korea
Not relevant to visitors, as tourists cannot drive; the country's few highways, such as the Pyongyang-Wonsan and Pyongyang-Kaesong motorways, are used only by official and guided transport. There is no consumer toll-tag system a foreigner would ever use.
Not applicable for tourists, who never control their own vehicle; all movement is in guide-arranged transport that parks at sanctioned sites only. Independent stopping or wandering off the approved itinerary is prohibited.
Because independent driving is banned, the real risk is detention for breaching tour rules rather than ordinary traffic fines; punishments for rule-breaking can be severe and arbitrary. Most Western governments advise against all travel.
There is no tourist-driving accident procedure because visitors do not drive; in any incident you remain with and follow your assigned guides, who handle authorities. Western governments warn that consular help is extremely limited (the Swedish embassy acts as protecting power for some nations).
Full driving guide for North Korea →