Does InterRent require an IDP in Solomon Islands?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Solomon Islands: the policy in plain terms
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The Solomon Islands drive on the left; an IDP is advised with your home licence, and roads are limited and often unsealed.
In Solomon Islands specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Solomon Islands ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so InterRent will typically ask for it at the counter. Honiara rental is limited; an IDP and passport advised.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Solomon Islands desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Solomon Islands drives on the left, uses the SBD, 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 Solomon Islands
- 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 SBD deposit; Solomon Islands drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Solomon Islands InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Unsealed roads outside Honiara.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Low speed limits in town.
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 Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has no toll roads, vignettes or electronic toll system; the limited road network, mostly around Honiara on Guadalcanal, is free to use.
There are no formal paid-parking zones; in Honiara park in guarded hotel and shopping-centre lots rather than on the street, and keep valuables out of sight as vehicle break-ins occur.
Speed limits are about 40 km/h in town and 60 km/h on the open road, with a 0.08% blood-alcohol limit enforced; police issue fines for speeding, seatbelt and drink-driving offences and rental firms recover them from the renter.
Dial 999 for police/emergency in Honiara; after a crash stop, do not move vehicles if anyone is injured, and obtain a police report, which is required for any insurance or rental claim. Response outside Honiara is very limited.
Full driving guide for Solomon Islands →