Does Hertz require an IDP in Sierra Leone?
Hertz in Sierra Leone: 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.
Sierra Leone drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, and roads outside Freetown can be rough.
In Sierra Leone specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Sierra Leone ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Hertz will typically ask for it at the counter. Freetown desks request an IDP; 4x4 advised in the rains.
Hertz runs a global network; at its Sierra Leone desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Sierra Leone drives on the right, uses the SLE, 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 Sierra Leone
- 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 SLE deposit; Sierra Leone drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Sierra Leone Hertz renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Poor roads in the rainy season.
- 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 Sierra Leone
There is no national electronic toll or vignette scheme; the main paved corridors (such as the Freetown-Bo highway and the Freetown toll road / Wellington-Masiaka stretch) may levy a cash toll at barriers, otherwise roads are free.
Street parking in central Freetown is congested and largely informal, with attendants expecting a small cash tip; use hotel or guarded lots where possible and avoid leaving vehicles unattended on busy streets.
Foreign drivers most often encounter on-the-spot police checks for documents and seatbelt/phone use, with fines typically paid in cash; enforcement is uneven, so always carry your IDP, licence and rental papers to avoid roadside disputes.
Call the police (emergency line 999, or 019) and wait for an official report; do not move vehicles after a serious or injury crash, and note that road signage and accident protocols are inconsistent so document the scene yourself with photos.
Full driving guide for Sierra Leone →