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Hertz · United Kingdom

Does Hertz require an IDP in United Kingdom?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
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United Kingdom 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.
Hertz in United Kingdom
Hertz IDP policyRecommended for non-Roman-alphabet licences
Hertz footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna
Minimum rental age17+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theLeft

Hertz in United Kingdom: 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.

Most visitors can drive in the UK on a valid foreign licence for up to 12 months; an IDP helps if your licence is not in English.

In United Kingdom specifically, united Kingdom 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. An IDP is recommended for licences not printed in the Roman alphabet.

Hertz runs a global network; at its United Kingdom desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. United Kingdom drives on the left, uses the GBP, and sets a minimum driving age of 17; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.

What to bring to the Hertz counter in United Kingdom

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the GBP deposit; United Kingdom drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in United Kingdom Hertz renters should know

  • Drive on the left.
  • Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants.
  • Mobile-phone use while driving is heavily penalised.
  • 0.08% alcohol limit in England/Wales; lower in Scotland.

Hertz's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

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.

Deposit & accepted cards

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.

Additional drivers

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.

Cross-border & one-way

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.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

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 United Kingdom

Tolls & road charges

The UK has almost no toll motorways - the main exceptions are the M6 Toll near Birmingham and a handful of estuary crossings (Dartford Crossing/Dart Charge, Mersey tunnels, Tyne Tunnel), most of which are now barrier-free and must be paid online by midnight the next day. The Dartford Crossing costs about GBP 2.50 per car.

Parking in town

Urban kerbside parking is controlled by pay-and-display machines or apps (RingGo, PayByPhone); single yellow lines mean restricted hours and double yellow lines mean no parking at any time. Cars left illegally risk a Penalty Charge Notice (typically GBP 70-130) and possible clamping or removal.

Fines & camera enforcement

A standard speeding fine is a fixed penalty of GBP 100 plus 3 points (worse for higher speeds), and handheld phone use is GBP 200 plus 6 points; seatbelt failure is GBP 100. Police do not generally take roadside cash, and camera fines are forwarded by the hire firm to your home address with an admin fee.

If you have an accident

Call 999 (or 112) for injuries; police attendance is only required where someone is hurt, the road is blocked, or a driver fails to stop or give details. You must stop, exchange names, addresses and insurance details, and report to police within 24 hours if details could not be exchanged at the scene.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Hertz in United Kingdom?
United Kingdom 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. 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.
02
What documents should I bring to the Hertz desk in United Kingdom?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. United Kingdom drives on the left and the minimum rental age is typically 17+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Hertz in United Kingdom?
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. Locally, United Kingdom sets a minimum driving age of 17 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Hertz require?
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.
05
Can I take a Hertz rental across the border or drop it one-way?
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.
06
Does Hertz charge for an additional driver?
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.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in United Kingdom?
The UK has almost no toll motorways - the main exceptions are the M6 Toll near Birmingham and a handful of estuary crossings (Dartford Crossing/Dart Charge, Mersey tunnels, Tyne Tunnel), most of which are now barrier-free and must be paid online by midnight the next day. The Dartford Crossing costs about GBP 2.50 per car.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Hertz car in United Kingdom?
A standard speeding fine is a fixed penalty of GBP 100 plus 3 points (worse for higher speeds), and handheld phone use is GBP 200 plus 6 points; seatbelt failure is GBP 100. Police do not generally take roadside cash, and camera fines are forwarded by the hire firm to your home address with an admin fee.
09
What is Hertz's general policy on International Driving Permits?
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. Hertz is among the world's largest car rental companies, with roughly 11,000 locations across about 160 countries and a free Gold Plus Rewards loyalty program (Gold, Five Star, President's Circle tiers).
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