Does Europcar require an IDP in Papua New Guinea?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Papua New Guinea: 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.
Papua New Guinea drives on the left; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and rugged terrain means many roads need a 4x4.
In Papua New Guinea specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Papua New Guinea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Port Moresby desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised for the highlands.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Papua New Guinea desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Papua New Guinea drives on the left, uses the PGK, 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 Papua New Guinea
- 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 PGK deposit; Papua New Guinea drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Papua New Guinea Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Rough, mountainous roads.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- 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 Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has no toll roads or electronic toll/vignette system; the limited sealed highway network (such as the Highlands Highway) is free but often in poor, unsealed condition.
There are no formal paid-parking zones; in Port Moresby use guarded, fenced car parks at hotels and shopping centres (e.g. Vision City) rather than street parking, which carries a real theft and carjacking risk.
Speed limits are about 60 km/h in towns and up to 100 km/h on open highways; police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, seatbelt and phone offences, and rental firms recover any fines from the renter. Roadblocks and informal demands occur.
The national emergency number is 000 (police), though response is slow and limited outside Port Moresby; after a serious crash do not stop in unsafe areas and instead drive to the nearest police station to report, as a report is required for insurance.
Full driving guide for Papua New Guinea →