Does National require an IDP in Chad?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
National in Chad: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for non-Latin-alphabet licences and where local rules call for one. Business-traveller brand known for Emerald Aisle.
Chad drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, and desert routes require a sturdy 4x4 and supplies.
In Chad specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Chad ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. N'Djamena desks request an IDP; 4x4 essential outside the capital.
National runs a global network; at its Chad desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Chad drives on the right, uses the XAF, 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 National counter in Chad
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the XAF deposit; Chad drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Chad National renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Sandy, unpaved desert roads.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
National's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
The minimum age to rent is typically 21 (18 in Michigan and New York, as required by state law); renters aged 21-24 pay a "Youthful Surcharge" of approximately $25 per day (varies by location, lower in some states such as $5/day in New York) and may be restricted to certain car classes.
A major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) in the primary renter's name with sufficient available credit is required; National generally does not accept debit cards, and renters without a ticketed return travel itinerary must provide a hold/deposit typically between $300 and $400 depending on location and vehicle class.
The renter's spouse or domestic partner who meets the same age and licence requirements drives free; other additional authorized drivers cost about $15 per day (typically $5/day in New York), and must be at least 21 with a valid licence. National requires a valid, unexpired full driver's licence held by the renter; for under-25 drivers some locations require the licence to have been held for at least one year, though National does not publish a uniform minimum tenure across all locations.
Vehicles rented in the U.S. or Canada are prohibited from being driven into Mexico; U.S.-Canada cross-border travel is generally permitted but one-way US/Canada drop-offs are limited to participating locations, and rentals originating in certain Mexican cities (e.g. Tijuana, Mexicali, Hermosillo, Monterrey, Saltillo) may cross into the U.S. after purchasing an extension of liability protection (about $10 USD/day).
National states that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is commonly requested in select countries and is generally recommended when travelling abroad; specifically, overseas travelers whose licence uses a non-Roman alphabet may need to present an IDP alongside their home-country licence.
Once you collect the keys in Chad
Chad has no vignette or formal toll-road system; the limited paved roads, mainly in and around N'Djamena, are free. Most of the country is unpaved, sandy or rocky track requiring a 4x4.
There is no organised paid parking even in N'Djamena; cars are kept in guarded hotel or compound lots and unattended street parking is avoided for security and theft reasons. Engaging a guard to watch the vehicle is customary.
Checkpoints are common, especially outside N'Djamena, where officials often request documents and sometimes informal payments; carry your passport, IDP and vehicle registration and ask for official receipts. Fines for speeding or seatbelt offences are settled on the spot, not by camera.
Call police on 17 (general emergency 112 may route to local services); secure a police report for insurance and do not leave the scene. Contact your embassy, as medical and vehicle-recovery services are very limited.