Does National require an IDP in Ireland?

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.

Most toll roads use cash/card plazas, but the M50 around Dublin is fully barrier-free (eFlow): cameras read your plate and the toll must be paid by 8pm the next day, online, by app or at Payzone outlets. Rental firms either include M50 tolls or bill them with an admin fee, so confirm at pickup; per-toll plaza charges are around EUR 2-3.

Dublin and larger towns use pay-and-display (ticket machines or the apps), while smaller towns use a free or cheap cardboard parking disc bought in local shops and marked with your arrival time. Double yellow lines mean no parking, and clamping/release fees in Dublin are steep.

Speeding carries a fixed charge of EUR 160 (rising if unpaid) plus penalty points, handheld phone use is EUR 120-plus and points, and not wearing a seatbelt is EUR 120. Gardai do not take roadside cash; fixed-charge notices and camera fines are passed via the rental firm to the driver.

Call 112 or 999 for Garda, ambulance or fire if anyone is injured or the road is blocked. Stop, exchange names, addresses, insurance and registration details, and report to the Gardai; do not admit liability and photograph the scene for your rental and insurance claim.