Does InterRent require an IDP in Bahamas?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Bahamas: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Roman-alphabet licences across its European locations. Europcar's value brand for leisure travellers in Europe.
The Bahamas drive on the left despite their proximity to the US; visitors can use a valid foreign licence for short stays, with an IDP advised for non-Latin scripts.
In Bahamas specifically, bahamas lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but InterRent still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Nassau and Freeport desks accept many foreign licences; an IDP helps.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Bahamas desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Bahamas drives on the left, uses the BSD, 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 InterRent counter in Bahamas
- 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 BSD deposit; Bahamas drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Bahamas InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Many imported left-hand-drive cars — take care overtaking.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Seatbelts mandatory.
InterRent's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
InterRent's minimum rental age is typically 19-21 depending on country (19 in Spain, 21 in the UK and France), and drivers aged roughly 21-24 (24 and under in some markets) pay a young-driver surcharge that varies by location, for example around 8.50 EUR/day (max ~93 EUR) in Spain, 12.95 EUR/day (max ~181 EUR) in France, and about 35 GBP/day (max ~350 GBP) in the UK; some vehicle categories require drivers to be over 25.
A refundable security deposit is pre-authorised (held, not debited) on the main driver's credit card at pick-up; the card (Visa or Mastercard, sometimes Amex) must be in the main driver's name with an expiry date after the return date, and debit cards are not accepted because their rules do not fit InterRent's deposit policy.
Additional drivers must present their own valid driving licence at the counter and sign the rental agreement at pick-up; InterRent charges an extra-driver fee per day that varies by location, though it is frequently included in promotional/package rates. The main driver must have held a full, valid driving licence for a minimum of 12 months (one year) prior to picking up the vehicle.
Cross-border travel and one-way rentals are restricted and must be authorised in advance; cross-border fees and one-way drop-off charges apply and vary by route, with certain countries (typically higher-risk or non-EU destinations) excluded entirely under the rental conditions.
InterRent requires a full, valid driving licence held for at least 12 months; for licences not written in the Latin/Roman alphabet (or otherwise not understandable to the rental agent), an International Driving Permit (IDP) must be presented alongside the original national licence, as the IDP is a translation and never replaces the physical licence.
Once you collect the keys in Bahamas
There are no toll roads in The Bahamas; the only paid crossing tourists encounter is the Paradise Island bridge toll at Nassau (around US$2 per car, payable in cash).
In downtown Nassau use marked lots and metered/paid street bays; spaces fill fast near Bay Street and the cruise port, and vehicles parked on yellow lines or blocking traffic risk ticketing or towing.
Seatbelts are mandatory, child seats are required for young children and handheld phone use is banned (hands-free only); fines are issued by police and rental companies recover any tickets from the renter.
Call police immediately on 919 or 911, photograph the scene, exchange insurance details and report it; a police report is expected for any rental-car damage claim and vehicles should be left in place until officers attend.
Full driving guide for Bahamas →