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National · Ivory Coast

Does National require an IDP in Ivory Coast?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in Ivory Coast ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter.
National in Ivory Coast
National IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
National footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

National in Ivory Coast: 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.

Côte d'Ivoire drives on the right; an IDP is advised with your national licence for Abidjan's lively traffic.

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

National runs a global network; at its Ivory Coast desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Ivory Coast drives on the right, uses the XOF, 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 Ivory Coast

  • 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 XOF deposit; Ivory Coast drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Ivory Coast National renters should know

  • Drive on the right.
  • Toll motorway between Abidjan and Yamoussoukro.
  • 0.08% alcohol limit.
  • Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

National's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

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.

Deposit & accepted cards

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.

Additional drivers

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.

Cross-border & one-way

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).

IDP & foreign-licence rule

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 Ivory Coast

Tolls & road charges

Abidjan's Henri Konan Bédié (HKB / Third) Bridge is a tolled expressway with a 21-lane plaza accepting cash and electronic tags, and tolls also apply on the Abidjan-Grand-Bassam and Yamoussoukro motorway sections; pay in CFA francs at the booths.

Parking in town

In Abidjan informal attendants control most street parking for a small CFA-franc fee, and parking on sidewalks or in front of hydrants risks fines or towing; formal metered zones and apps are largely absent.

Fines & camera enforcement

Roadside police checks are frequent; speeding, no-seatbelt and handheld-phone use draw on-the-spot CFA-franc fines often settled in cash, and rental firms pass on any speed-camera or toll penalties to the card on file.

If you have an accident

Call the police on 170 (or 111) and the fire/rescue service on 180; do not move vehicles after an injury crash and obtain a police report (constat), which rental companies require for any insurance claim.

Full driving guide for Ivory Coast

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from National in Ivory Coast?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Ivory Coast ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. 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.
02
What documents should I bring to the National desk in Ivory Coast?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Ivory Coast drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from National in Ivory Coast?
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. Locally, Ivory Coast sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does National require?
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.
05
Can I take a National rental across the border or drop it one-way?
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).
06
Does National charge for an additional driver?
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.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Ivory Coast?
Abidjan's Henri Konan Bédié (HKB / Third) Bridge is a tolled expressway with a 21-lane plaza accepting cash and electronic tags, and tolls also apply on the Abidjan-Grand-Bassam and Yamoussoukro motorway sections; pay in CFA francs at the booths.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a National car in Ivory Coast?
Roadside police checks are frequent; speeding, no-seatbelt and handheld-phone use draw on-the-spot CFA-franc fines often settled in cash, and rental firms pass on any speed-camera or toll penalties to the card on file.
09
What is National's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation for non-Latin-alphabet licences and where local rules call for one. National operates at 1,500+ locations and is distinguished by its Emerald Club loyalty program with the Emerald Aisle, where members select any vehicle (Midsize and above) and pay the Midsize rate, bypassing the counter.
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