Does Europcar require an IDP in Tunisia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Tunisia: 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.
Tunisia drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised to translate non-Arabic licences for desks and police.
In Tunisia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Tunisia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Tunis desks request an IDP for non-Arabic, non-French licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Tunisia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Tunisia drives on the right, uses the TND, 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 Tunisia
- 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 TND deposit; Tunisia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Tunisia Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Toll motorway along the coast.
- Zero alcohol tolerance for driving.
- 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 Tunisia
The A1 (Tunis-Sfax), A3 (Tunis-Oued Zarga) and A4 (Tunis-Bizerte) motorways are barrier toll roads charged by distance; pay cash in Tunisian dinar at booths as cards are generally not accepted.
In Tunis and coastal towns paid street parking is run by uniformed attendants who collect a small dinar fee, and informal 'guardiens' will watch your car for a tip; use secure paid lots overnight as theft from unattended cars is a real risk.
Police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, payable in cash in dinar; rental companies pass on camera/parking fines plus an admin fee to the card on file. Drink-driving and serious offences carry court action.
Dial 197 for police; a police report is required for any injury accident and for insurance, and you must not move the vehicles. In death or serious-injury crashes police can place the driver in protective custody until cleared, so call your rental firm and consulate immediately.
Full driving guide for Tunisia →