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Localiza · Tunisia

Does Localiza require an IDP in Tunisia?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in Tunisia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter.
Localiza in Tunisia
Localiza IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
Localiza footprintSouth America
Accepted format1968 Vienna
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

Localiza in Tunisia: 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.

Tunisia drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised to translate non-Arabic licences for desks and police.

In Tunisia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Tunisia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter. Tunis desks request an IDP for non-Arabic, non-French licences.

Localiza runs a south america network; at its Tunisia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Tunisia drives on the right, uses the TND, 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 Tunisia

  • 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 TND deposit; Tunisia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Tunisia Localiza renters should know

  • Drive on the right.
  • Toll motorway along the coast.
  • Zero alcohol tolerance for driving.
  • Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Localiza's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

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.

Deposit & accepted cards

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.

Additional drivers

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 & one-way

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.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

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 Tunisia

Tolls & road charges

The A1 (Tunis-Sfax), A3 (Tunis-Oued Zarga) and A4 (Tunis-Bizerte) motorways are barrier toll roads charged by distance; pay cash in Tunisian dinar at booths as cards are generally not accepted.

Parking in town

In Tunis and coastal towns paid street parking is run by uniformed attendants who collect a small dinar fee, and informal 'guardiens' will watch your car for a tip; use secure paid lots overnight as theft from unattended cars is a real risk.

Fines & camera enforcement

Police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, payable in cash in dinar; rental companies pass on camera/parking fines plus an admin fee to the card on file. Drink-driving and serious offences carry court action.

If you have an accident

Dial 197 for police; a police report is required for any injury accident and for insurance, and you must not move the vehicles. In death or serious-injury crashes police can place the driver in protective custody until cleared, so call your rental firm and consulate immediately.

Full driving guide for Tunisia

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Localiza in Tunisia?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Tunisia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Localiza will typically ask for it at the counter. 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.
02
What documents should I bring to the Localiza desk in Tunisia?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Tunisia drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Localiza in Tunisia?
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. Locally, Tunisia sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Localiza require?
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.
05
Can I take a Localiza rental across the border or drop it one-way?
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.
06
Does Localiza charge for an additional driver?
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.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Tunisia?
The A1 (Tunis-Sfax), A3 (Tunis-Oued Zarga) and A4 (Tunis-Bizerte) motorways are barrier toll roads charged by distance; pay cash in Tunisian dinar at booths as cards are generally not accepted.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Localiza car in Tunisia?
Police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, payable in cash in dinar; rental companies pass on camera/parking fines plus an admin fee to the card on file. Drink-driving and serious offences carry court action.
09
What is Localiza's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks foreign renters to present a licence translation with their home licence at the counter across Brazil and Latin America. Localiza operates the largest rental fleet in Brazil (and, post-merger with Unidas, one of the largest in Latin America), with an extensive network across Brazil and neighboring South American countries.
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