Does National require an IDP in Libya?
National in Libya: 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.
Libya drives on the right; an IDP is expected with your home licence, though conditions mean visitors generally rely on arranged drivers.
In Libya specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Libya ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. Self-drive is rare; an IDP and passport are expected where rental exists.
National runs a global network; at its Libya desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Libya drives on the right, uses the LYD, 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 Libya
- 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 LYD deposit; Libya drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Libya National renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Frequent checkpoints.
- Alcohol is prohibited — zero tolerance.
- 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 Libya
Libya has no national toll-road or vignette system; motorways and main highways are toll-free. Fuel is heavily state-subsidised so running costs rather than tolls dominate.
Parking in Tripoli is largely informal and unregulated, with no organised paid-zone colour system; cars park on roadsides and lots, and you may be approached by informal attendants expecting a small cash tip. Avoid leaving vehicles in insecure areas.
Traffic-law enforcement is weak and inconsistent; speeding (the cause of roughly 70% of accidents in Tripoli studies) and phone use are rarely fined formally, but any on-the-spot payment requested at a checkpoint is typically cash. Rental firms pass on any documented fines to the renter.
After a crash do not move the vehicles and call the police, who must attend to produce the official report needed for any insurance or rental claim; emergency response is slow and unreliable. Photograph the scene and exchange details.
Full driving guide for Libya →