Does Europcar require an IDP in Vietnam?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Europcar in Vietnam: 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.
Vietnam drives on the right and now accepts the 1968 Vienna IDP; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
In Vietnam specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Vietnam ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Europcar will typically ask for it at the counter. Desks request a 1968 Vienna IDP; older 1949 permits are not accepted.
Europcar runs a europe / global network; at its Vietnam desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Vietnam drives on the right, uses the VND, 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 Vietnam
- 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 VND deposit; Vietnam drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Vietnam Europcar renters should know
- Drive on the right amid dense scooter traffic.
- Helmets mandatory for all motorbike riders.
- 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 Vietnam
Expressways use BOT toll stations; cars pay roughly VND 150,000-200,000 (about USD 6-8) per 100km, and the three e-tag providers (VETC, ePass, VietMap) are now interoperable nationwide, though many booths still take cash. A rental car should ideally have an e-tag fitted, as some expressway lanes are becoming barrier-free electronic-only.
In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City use guarded paid lots (gui xe) at hotels, malls and street attendants who issue a ticket for a small fee; do not leave a car unattended on the street. Pavement and red-curb parking is routinely ticketed or clamped in the central districts.
2025-2026 reforms raised fines sharply: phone use while driving is now VND 4-6 million, and extreme/reckless driving can reach VND 50 million (about USD 1,900); alcohol limit is effectively zero. Police can fine on the spot, and rental firms pass camera (phat nguoi) fines back to the renter's card.
Stop immediately, do not move the vehicles, and call police on 113 (ambulance 115); leaving the scene of an injury crash is a serious offence. Wait for police to produce a report for your insurer/rental firm, and expect to be detained until fault is settled, especially in injury cases.
Full driving guide for Vietnam →