Does InterRent require an IDP in Gambia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Gambia: the policy in plain terms
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The Gambia drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence for its narrow riverside roads.
In Gambia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Gambia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so InterRent will typically ask for it at the counter. Banjul desks request an IDP for non-English licences.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Gambia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Gambia drives on the right, uses the GMD, 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 InterRent counter in Gambia
- 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 GMD deposit; Gambia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Gambia InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Watch for pedestrians and carts.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
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 Gambia
The Gambia has no toll roads or vignette scheme; the main highways and the Senegambia bridge over the river are used without tolls for cars.
Parking in Banjul, Serrekunda and the tourist coast is informal and on-street, frequently overseen by attendants who expect a few dalasi; there are no formal paid zones, but poorly lit, narrow streets make double-parking and obstruction a towing or clamping risk near markets.
Police roadblocks are common throughout the country and ID and vehicle documents are routinely requested; expect on-the-spot cash fines for speeding, seatbelt or phone offences, and rental firms recover any unpaid fines from your deposit.
Drive on the left; for any injury, dispute or more than a trivial scratch you must call the Gambia Police Force on 117 and obtain a police report before moving the vehicles, which insurers and rental firms require.
Full driving guide for Gambia →