Does Europcar require an IDP in Russia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Russia: 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.
Russia drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP helps translate non-Cyrillic licences for desks and police.
In Russia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Russia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Desks ask for an IDP for any non-Cyrillic licence.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Russia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Russia drives on the right, uses the RUB, 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 Russia
- 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 RUB deposit; Russia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Russia Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.0%).
- Headlights on at all times.
- 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 Russia
Most roads are free, but several modern highways (e.g. the M11 Neva Moscow-St Petersburg and M4 Don sections) are tolled; pay cash or card at toll plazas, or use a T-pass/Transponder transponder for the barrier lanes.
Central Moscow and St Petersburg have paid zones marked by blue signs, paid via the Moscow Parking app, parkomat machines or SMS; unpaid or wrongly parked cars are ticketed by camera and frequently towed to an impound lot.
Foreign drivers face common fines such as roughly 500 RUB for no seatbelt, 1,500 RUB for handheld phone use and 500-5,000 RUB for speeding bands; many are camera-issued, and rental firms deduct camera penalties plus an admin fee from your card.
Dial 112 (general emergency) or 102 for police; you must call the traffic police (GIBDD, formerly GAI) and obtain their report, and you must not move the vehicles until they document the scene unless a minor crash qualifies for the Europrotokol self-report form.
Full driving guide for Russia →