Does Europcar require an IDP in Peru?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Peru: 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.
An IDP is recommended and often requested to rent a car in Peru.
In Peru specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Peru ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested by airport and city desks; mountain driving insurance advised.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Peru desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Peru drives on the right, uses the PEN, 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 Peru
- 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 PEN deposit; Peru drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Peru Europcar renters should know
- Aggressive city traffic — defensive driving essential.
- High-altitude routes (Cusco, Puno) affect engine performance.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Carry original documents at all times.
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 Peru
Main highways (Panamericana and others) have frequent manned toll booths (peajes), typically a few soles each; many do not accept cards, so carry small-denomination soles in cash.
Avoid street parking; use guarded paid lots (playas de estacionamiento or 'cocheras') in cities like Lima and Cusco, both for security and to avoid towing/clamping in restricted central zones.
Fines (papeletas) are graded by severity as fractions of the UIT tax unit; speeding, no seatbelt and phone use are penalized. Do not pay cash to officers on the roadside; legitimate fines are processed officially and rental firms pass camera/towing charges to the renter.
Call the police on 105 (SAMU ambulance 106); do not move vehicles if there are injuries until police arrive. SOAT (compulsory insurance) covers only personal injury, not the rental car, so file a police report for the rental insurer.