Does Hertz require an IDP in South Africa?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Hertz in South Africa: 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.
An IDP is recommended if your licence is not in English; most rental desks ask for one.
In South Africa specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in South Africa ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Hertz will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested for non-English licences at Hertz, Europcar and local chains.
Hertz runs a global network; at its South Africa desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. South Africa drives on the left, uses the ZAR, 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 South Africa
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the ZAR deposit; South Africa drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in South Africa Hertz renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Toll roads (e-tolls) on major routes.
- Four-way stops are common.
- 0.05% alcohol limit, strictly enforced.
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 South Africa
Toll roads use manned plazas (cash or card) plus some electronic gantries; the Gauteng e-toll scheme was scrapped in 2024, but routes like the N1, N3 and the short Chapman's Peak (around R36 for 9 km near Cape Town) still charge.
In cities, informal car-guards in reflective vests watch your car for a small tip (a few rand), while malls and paid lots use ticket machines; always park in secure, well-lit areas to deter break-ins.
Speeding fines start around R250-R400 for minor excess and rise to R1,500+ for serious cases, with handheld phone use and seatbelt offences also fined; many fines are camera-issued and passed on by the rental firm, and roadside officers occasionally seek cash, which you should decline.
Phone 10111 (police) or 112 from a mobile for injuries; you must stop, exchange details and, even with no injuries, report the crash in person at the nearest SAPS police station within 24 hours to get a case number.
Full driving guide for South Africa →