Does National require an IDP in Guyana?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
National in Guyana: 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.
Guyana drives on the left, unlike its neighbours; an IDP is advised if your licence is not in English, and interior roads are largely unpaved.
In Guyana specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Guyana ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. Georgetown desks request an IDP for non-English licences; 4x4 for the interior.
National runs a global network; at its Guyana desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Guyana drives on the left, uses the GYD, 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 Guyana
- 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 GYD deposit; Guyana drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Guyana National renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Unpaved roads outside the coast.
- 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 Guyana
Tolls apply at the major river crossings rather than highways: the Demerara Harbour Bridge charges about GYD 200 for a car, while the Berbice River Bridge is the priciest (historically ~GYD 1,900); pay in Guyanese dollars.
Central Georgetown has metered and attended on-street parking; congestion and informal minibus traffic make illegal parking risky, so use paid lots near the city centre and seafront.
Police issue on-the-spot tickets for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use; fines are paid in local currency and rental companies pass any tickets to the driver's card.
Dial 911 for police and 913 for ambulance; do not move vehicles after a serious crash until police attend, and obtain a police report, which is mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.
Full driving guide for Guyana →