Does Europcar require an IDP in Paraguay?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Paraguay: 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.
Paraguay drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised with your national licence for desks and checkpoints.
In Paraguay specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Paraguay ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Asunción desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Paraguay desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Paraguay drives on the right, uses the PYG, 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 Paraguay
- 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 PYG deposit; Paraguay drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Paraguay Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on highways during the day.
- 0.0% alcohol tolerance.
- 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 Paraguay
National routes have toll plazas (peajes) run by the MOPC, including Ypacarai between Asuncion and Caacupe and the Remanso and Ybyrarobana booths around the capital; pay the modest fee in Guaranies cash.
Central Asuncion uses paid on-street parking and attended lots; illegally parked cars in the microcentro can be towed, so prefer guarded estacionamientos.
Transit police (Policia Caminera) fine speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, sometimes expecting payment on the spot; rental firms charge any unpaid or camera fines back to the driver.
Call 911 for police and the SEME ambulance service on 141; leave the vehicles in place for a serious crash until the Policia Nacional/Caminera files a report, which is required for insurance and rental claims.
Full driving guide for Paraguay →