Does Hertz require an IDP in Sao Tome and Principe?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Hertz in Sao Tome and Principe: 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.
São Tomé and Príncipe drive on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence on these small equatorial islands.
In Sao Tome and Principe specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Sao Tome and Principe ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Hertz will typically ask for it at the counter. Limited island rental; an IDP and passport advised.
Hertz runs a global network; at its Sao Tome and Principe desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Sao Tome and Principe drives on the right, uses the STN, 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 Sao Tome and Principe
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the STN deposit; Sao Tome and Principe drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Sao Tome and Principe Hertz renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Narrow, hilly island roads.
- 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 Sao Tome and Principe
There are no toll roads on the islands; the limited road network is free to use, with no vignette or electronic toll system.
Parking in Sao Tome city is informal and free or low-cost, typically on-street; there are no paid metered zones or parking apps, though attendants may watch cars for a small tip.
Traffic fines for speeding or seatbelt offences are modest and usually settled on the spot in cash with police; rental companies pass any fines back to the renter.
Stop and remain at the scene, call the police (dial 112 in Sao Tome), and obtain a police report for any insurance or rental claim before vehicles are moved where possible.
Full driving guide for Sao Tome and Principe →