Does Europcar require an IDP in Turkey?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Turkey: 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 Türkiye.
In Turkey specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Turkey ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested for non-Latin-script and non-EU licences.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Turkey desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Turkey drives on the right, uses the TRY, 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 Turkey
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the TRY deposit; Turkey drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Turkey Europcar renters should know
- HGS/OGS electronic tolls on motorways and bridges.
- Headlights and seatbelts mandatory.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; zero if towing.
- Carry passport, licence and IDP.
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 Turkey
Motorways and bridges use the electronic HGS sticker-tag (OGS was retired in 2022); foreign-plated cars must have an HGS tag with sufficient balance. Rental cars come with an HGS device fitted and tolls are billed to your rental account afterward.
Cities use the municipal İSPARK paid system with signed bays paid by attendant, kiosk or app; unauthorised street parking is ticketed or towed, and hotels often provide private parking.
Speeding, mobile-phone and seatbelt fines are issued by patrol or camera; police can take on-the-spot payment and tourists often get a discount for immediate settlement. Rental firms forward camera fines to your card with an admin fee.
Call 112 (single emergency number) and, on any injury or disagreement, the traffic police (155). Do not move the vehicles until police arrive unless they block traffic dangerously; a police report ('kaza tutanagi') is needed for insurance.
Full driving guide for Turkey →