Does National require an IDP in Malaysia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
National in Malaysia: 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.
Malaysia drives on the left and accepts the IDP; tourists should carry one with their national licence to rent and drive.
In Malaysia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Malaysia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so National will typically ask for it at the counter. Kuala Lumpur desks request an IDP for non-English licences.
National runs a global network; at its Malaysia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Malaysia drives on the left, uses the MYR, 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 Malaysia
- 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 MYR deposit; Malaysia drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Malaysia National renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Touch 'n Go electronic tolls on highways.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Helmets mandatory for motorbikes.
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 Malaysia
Most expressways (PLUS network, including the North-South Expressway) are electronic-only via the Touch 'n Go RFID/SmartTAG system; cash is no longer accepted. Buy a Touch 'n Go card for about RM10 at Petronas, Shell, 7-Eleven or MyNews and load credit, or confirm whether your rental includes one.
Urban paid parking uses coupons or apps (Flexi Parking, JomParking, KL's official systems); look for white-lined bays and yellow-line no-parking zones. Illegally parked cars are clamped or towed in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, and double-yellow lines mean no stopping.
Speeding caught by AES/AWAS cameras draws fines from RM100 up to RM300; using a phone or no seatbelt also attracts compounds. Camera fines are billed to the registered owner, so rental firms pass them to your card plus an admin fee.
Dial 999 for police and ambulance. A police report must be lodged within 24 hours of any accident (now possible online via PDRM e-Reporting for PLUS highway and single-vehicle cases); do not move vehicles until photographed if there are injuries or a dispute.
Full driving guide for Malaysia →