Does Sixt require an IDP in Belize?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Belize: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation for licences issued outside the EU and not in the Roman alphabet. Premium European brand with a fast-growing global network.
Belize drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-English licences.
In Belize specifically, belize lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Sixt still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Desks accept English licences; an IDP helps non-English drivers.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Belize desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Belize drives on the right, uses the BZD, and sets a minimum driving age of 18; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Sixt counter in Belize
- 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 BZD deposit; Belize drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Belize Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Speed bumps in villages along the highways.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
- 4x4 useful for jungle and unpaved roads.
Sixt's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Minimum age is region-specific: typically 21 in the US (18 in New York, where an under-25 fee still applies) and 18 in much of continental Europe such as Germany and France; drivers aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly USD 25-30 per day in the US (about GBP 36 per rental in the UK, around EUR 5-6 per day in markets like Cyprus), and under-25s are usually limited to economy through full-size sedans, midsize SUVs and minivans.
A credit or debit card in the main driver's name must be presented at pickup; Sixt holds a security deposit of at least USD 200 plus the rental amount on the card, with substantially higher holds on premium/high-value vehicles, and debit-card acceptance and limits vary by branch and vehicle class.
A per-rental additional-driver fee applies; extra drivers can be added at any Sixt branch during the rental provided the main driver is present and the additional driver shows a valid licence (some European markets waive the fee for a spouse/partner). The driver must typically have held a full valid licence for at least 1 year (rising to 2-3 years in higher-risk markets such as Cyprus, while Germany requires the licence be held only since at least the day before pickup).
Most Sixt passenger vehicles may be driven across borders into listed neighbouring countries (e.g. France, Germany, Spain, Italy within Europe), but you must notify and get authorisation from the pickup branch in advance; a cross-border and/or one-way drop-off fee applies, and certain vehicle classes and destination countries are restricted.
Sixt does not require an International Driving Permit everywhere, but states that where local law requires it the IDP must be carried alongside the original home licence; if the licence is in a non-Roman alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.) the renter must present an IDP or an official translation, and an official translation is also required if the issuing country is not party to the international driving-permit treaty.
Once you collect the keys in Belize
Belize has no toll highways, but vehicles crossing into or out of the country (e.g. at the western/Guatemala or northern/Mexico borders) pay border and bridge fees rather than road tolls.
Parking in Belize City is informal street parking with no major meter system; use guarded lots where possible, keep valuables out of sight and avoid leaving cars unattended on unlit streets at night.
Speed limits are about 55 mph on highways, 25 mph in towns and 15 mph residential, and seatbelts are mandatory; police enforce with fines, and rental firms recover any citations from the renter.
Call police/emergency on 911, do not move the vehicles, photograph the scene and exchange details; a police report is needed for any rental insurance claim and you should also notify the rental company promptly.
Full driving guide for Belize →