Does InterRent require an IDP in Kiribati?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Kiribati: the policy in plain terms
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Kiribati drives on the left on its narrow atolls; an IDP is advised with your home licence, though there is very little road to drive.
In Kiribati specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Kiribati ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so InterRent will typically ask for it at the counter. Rental is minimal on South Tarawa; an IDP and passport advised.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Kiribati desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Kiribati drives on the left, uses the AUD, 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 Kiribati
- 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 AUD deposit; Kiribati drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Kiribati InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Very low speed limits on narrow atoll roads.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Few vehicles and limited fuel.
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 Kiribati
There are no toll roads, vignettes or electronic toll systems anywhere in Kiribati.
There is no paid or metered parking; vehicles park free on roadside verges and unpaved lots, the only real concern being flooding and soft ground in the rainy season rather than enforcement or towing.
The drink-drive limit is 0.08 BAC and seatbelts and hands-free-only phone use are mandatory; fines are modest and typically handled on the spot, with very limited camera enforcement.
Dial 999 (or 992 for police directly) and report any injury or significant accident to the Kiribati Police Service at Betio; leave vehicles in place until police arrive when anyone is hurt.
Full driving guide for Kiribati →