Does InterRent require an IDP in Malawi?

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.

Malawi has no toll roads or vignette; the M1 and other main routes are free to drive. Many secondary and rural roads are unpaved and a 4x4 is advised.

In Lilongwe and Blantyre parking is mostly in marked lots and street bays with informal 'car guards' expecting a small kwacha tip; there is no formal colour-coded paid-zone system. Use guarded hotel parking overnight.

Speed traps are common at the end of village speed-limit zones, with on-the-spot fines; always insist on an official receipt. Government revised the prescribed-offence penalty schedule (covering speeding, no seatbelt, phone use), and rental companies pass any documented fines back to the renter.

Drive on the left. After a crash, report it to the police, who issue the report required for insurance/rental claims; do not move vehicles where there are injuries. Drive defensively and avoid travel outside towns after dark due to a high accident rate.