Does InterRent require an IDP in Tuvalu?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Tuvalu: the policy in plain terms
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Tuvalu drives on the left on its tiny atolls; an IDP is advised with your home licence, though motorbikes outnumber cars.
In Tuvalu specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Tuvalu 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 Funafuti; an IDP and passport advised.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Tuvalu desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu
- 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; Tuvalu drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Tuvalu InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Very low speed limits on the airstrip road.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Motorbikes are the main vehicle.
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 Tuvalu
Tuvalu has no toll roads or toll system; the road network is too small to warrant tolling.
There are no paid parking zones, meters or apps anywhere on Funafuti; vehicles are simply left beside the road or at premises. The single main road and the airport runway apron see most activity, so avoid obstructing them.
Speed limits are low (roughly 40 km/h in villages, up to about 60 km/h on the main road) and enforcement is informal but fines apply for speeding, no seatbelt or drink-driving. Most penalties are handled on the spot by local police, and rental operators recover any costs directly from the hirer.
Report any accident immediately to the Tuvalu Police (emergency 911) on Funafuti and do not move vehicles after an injury crash until police arrive. Given the tiny network, expect to settle directly with police and your rental provider.
Full driving guide for Tuvalu →