Does Localiza require an IDP in Belarus?
Localiza in Belarus: the policy in plain terms
Asks foreign renters to present a licence translation with their home licence at the counter across Brazil and Latin America. The largest car-rental company in Latin America.
Belarus drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is expected because domestic licences and road signs use Cyrillic.
In Belarus specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Belarus ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter. Rental desks ask for an IDP for any non-Cyrillic licence.
Localiza runs a south america network; at its Belarus desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Belarus drives on the right, uses the BYN, 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 Localiza counter in Belarus
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the BYN deposit; Belarus drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Belarus Localiza renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol policy (0.0%).
- Headlights on outside built-up areas.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
Localiza's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Localiza's minimum rental age is 18 (lowered from 21 across Brazil), but drivers under 21 must add the mandatory "Condutor Jovem" (Young Driver) surcharge at booking; the exact fee is set per rental/location and quoted at reservation rather than published as a flat amount.
A credit card (physical or contactless) in the reservation holder's or financial responsible party's name is required for a pre-authorization hold; debit cards are not accepted for the security guarantee. Customers without a credit card can instead pass a weekday business-hours credit evaluation, with daily rentals up to 28 days available for an approximately R$39.90 fee if approved.
Each additional driver must be registered on the contract and present a valid licence and ID at the counter; Localiza does not publish a flat additional-driver fee, charging it per rate plan and location at pickup. Localiza requires a valid full driver's licence but does not publish a fixed minimum holding period; instead the young-driver surcharge (under-21) is the gating control, so a valid current licence is the stated requirement.
Cross-border driving within Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) requires the mandatory "Carta Verde"/Green Card insurance and advance authorization, typically requested at booking; one-way rentals returning in a different country incur a one-way fee that is usually higher than the cross-border fee, so both must be arranged in advance.
Foreign customers must present a valid licence from a country in Brazil's "Reciprocity Agreement" plus a passport, and may drive for up to 180 days from their date of entry (respecting the original licence validity); entry must be proven with a passport stamp, boarding pass, or immigration approval document. An International Driving Permit is referenced under the applicable legislation for non-reciprocity or non-Roman-alphabet licences.
Once you collect the keys in Belarus
Belarus runs the BelToll electronic system on major highways (including the M1 to/from the Polish border); cars over 3.5t and most foreign cars must fit an on-board unit obtained with a deposit at border points and BelToll stations, paying per kilometre.
Central Minsk has paid parking zones marked by signs, payable by SMS, the parking app or terminals; many hotels and malls offer lots. Unpaid or illegal parking risks fines and, near government buildings, towing.
Traffic police can levy on-the-spot fines that are often higher than visitors expect, covering speeding, no seatbelt and phone use; pay against an official receipt only, and note enforcement is strict with frequent roadside checks.
Call 102 for police and 103 for ambulance (or 112). You must not move the vehicles and must wait for the traffic police (GAI) to attend and document the scene; a police report is effectively mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.
Full driving guide for Belarus →