Does Hertz require an IDP in Honduras?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Hertz in Honduras: 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.
Honduras drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin-script holders.
In Honduras specifically, honduras lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Hertz still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula desks accept many licences; an IDP helps.
Hertz runs a global network; at its Honduras desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Honduras drives on the right, uses the HNL, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Hertz counter in Honduras
- 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 HNL deposit; Honduras drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Honduras Hertz renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Avoid night driving on rural roads.
- 0.07% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport 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 Honduras
A few primary corridors such as the CA-5 (Tegucigalpa-San Pedro Sula) have toll plazas (peajes) charging small amounts payable in cash (lempiras), typically under L40; most roads are toll-free.
In Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula use guarded lots (estacionamiento) or hotel/mall parking rather than the street, especially after dark; informal attendants ('cuidacarros') expect a few lempiras to watch a car. Avoid leaving valuables visible due to theft risk.
Police checkpoints are frequent and may issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt or phone use; officers can hold your licence until a fine is paid, and rental firms pass camera/transit fines to the card on file plus an admin fee.
Do not move the vehicles until the transit police (Policia de Transito) arrive and issue a report; call 911 for police and ambulance. The police report is required for any insurance or rental-company claim.
Full driving guide for Honduras →