Does Hertz require an IDP in Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Hertz's standard minimum rental age in the US and Canada is 20, though it drops to 18 in Michigan, New York and Quebec, and 19 in Alabama and Nebraska. Renters aged 20-24 pay a Young Renter fee of about USD 19 per day, and under-25s are blocked from premium, luxury and high-performance car classes.

Hertz places a hold on the renter's card for the estimated rental charges plus a security deposit that varies by location and vehicle class; debit cards are accepted at many US locations but must be Visa, MasterCard or Discover branded, in the main driver's name, and carry sufficient available funds, with extra ID/credit checks sometimes required.

Hertz charges a per-day additional-driver fee that varies by location (commonly around USD 13.50/day in the US, capped per rental); in many markets a spouse/domestic partner can be added free, and the fee is often waived for Gold Plus Rewards members. Hertz requires each driver to hold a valid full driver's licence that has typically been held for at least one year, with longer tenure (often one to two years) required for some markets and premium vehicle classes.

Driving a Hertz vehicle across a country border (e.g. US to Canada or Mexico) requires advance permission and may incur a cross-border fee, and travel into Mexico generally requires separate Mexican insurance; one-way rentals are permitted on many routes but typically carry a drop-off/one-way charge.

Hertz states that a valid driver's licence issued by the renter's home country must always be presented; an International Driving Permit is recommended (and effectively required) when the home-country licence is not in the Roman alphabet or not in English, but Hertz will not rent on an IDP alone.

There are no nationwide electronic tolls or vignettes, though péage barriers exist on some upgraded routes such as sections around Kinshasa and the Matadi road, paid in cash (Congolese francs or USD). Carry small cash for these and for frequent checkpoints.

In Kinshasa some central zones have regulated/paid parking and informal attendants ('parking boys') who expect a tip to guard the car. Avoid leaving vehicles unattended on the street; use guarded hotel or compound parking where possible.

Traffic police frequently stop foreign drivers and may demand on-the-spot cash payments; insist on official fines and a receipt where possible. Phone use while driving and missing documents are common pretexts, so keep licence, IDP, passport copy and vehicle papers ready.

After a crash do NOT stop to aid injured parties or linger if a hostile crowd gathers - drive directly to the nearest police station or gendarmerie to report it. If safe, stay in the vehicle until police arrive; the general emergency line is 112, though response is slow.