Does Hertz require an IDP in Djibouti?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Hertz in Djibouti: the policy in plain terms
Asks foreign drivers for a licence translation when the licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet, and often for non-EU renters in much of Europe. One of the largest global rental networks, operating in 150+ countries.
Djibouti drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your national licence for its hot, sparsely roaded terrain.
In Djibouti specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Djibouti ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Hertz will typically ask for it at the counter. Djibouti City desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised for desert routes.
Hertz runs a global network; at its Djibouti desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Djibouti drives on the right, uses the DJF, 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 Hertz counter in Djibouti
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the DJF deposit; Djibouti drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Djibouti Hertz renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Extreme heat — carry water.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Hertz's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
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.
Once you collect the keys in Djibouti
Djibouti has no electronic toll or vignette system on its national highways; the main RN1 corridor toward the Ethiopian border is untolled. Budget for fuel rather than tolls.
Parking in Djibouti City is largely informal and unmetered, with attendants ('gardiens') expecting a small tip to watch the car. There are no paid colour-zones or parking apps; use guarded hotel parking where available.
Standards of driving are poor and police checkpoints are common; foreign drivers may face on-the-spot fines for speeding, seatbelt or document offences, often payable in cash. Keep licence, IDP and passport ready and request a receipt.
Stop at the scene, do not move vehicles if anyone is injured, and call police on 17 (fire 18, ambulance 19) to obtain a report for insurance. Exchange insurance details with the other driver and wait for the police to arrive.
Full driving guide for Djibouti →