Does InterRent require an IDP in Vatican City?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
InterRent in Vatican City: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-EU and non-Roman-alphabet licences across its European locations. Europcar's value brand for leisure travellers in Europe.
The world's smallest state drives on the right but has virtually no public roads to drive; visitors enter Rome's road network, where Italian rules and IDPs apply.
In Vatican City specifically, vatican City lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but InterRent still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. No rental desks exist; cars are hired in Rome under Italian requirements.
InterRent runs a europe network; at its Vatican City desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Vatican City drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the InterRent counter in Vatican City
- 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 EUR deposit; Vatican City drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Vatican City InterRent renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Effectively pedestrian within the walls.
- Italian rules apply on surrounding roads.
- 0.05% alcohol limit (Italian standard).
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 Vatican City
There are no tolls within the city-state; you only encounter Italy's autostrada tolls (Telepass or cash/card barriers) when driving toward Rome.
No tourist parking exists inside the Vatican; park in nearby Rome garages such as Garage San Pietro or the Vatican Museums lot (around EUR 20/day) and walk in.
Because tourists drive in surrounding Italy, Italian penalties apply: speeding fines start around EUR 40-170 and rise with severity, handheld phone use and no seatbelt are fined, and ZTL camera fines plus rental admin fees arrive by post.
For any incident at the edge of the enclave call Italy's 112; in Italy you exchange details on a CAI/European Accident Statement and must not move vehicles before documenting if there are injuries.
Full driving guide for Vatican City →