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Sixt · Eritrea

Does Sixt require an IDP in Eritrea?

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

Sixt in Eritrea: 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.

Eritrea drives on the right; an IDP is recommended with your home licence, and travel permits are needed to leave Asmara.

In Eritrea specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Eritrea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Self-drive is limited; an IDP, passport and travel permits are advised.

Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Eritrea desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Eritrea drives on the right, uses the ERN, 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 Sixt counter in Eritrea

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the ERN deposit; Eritrea drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Eritrea Sixt renters should know

  • Drive on the right.
  • Travel permits required outside Asmara.
  • 0.05% alcohol limit.
  • Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Sixt's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

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.

Deposit & accepted cards

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.

Additional drivers

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).

Cross-border & one-way

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.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

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 Eritrea

Tolls & road charges

Eritrea has no toll roads, vignette or electronic toll system, so no toll charges apply to tourists.

Parking in town

Parking in Asmara is mostly free, on-street and informal with no colour-coded paid zones; central areas can be congested, so use hotel or guarded lots where available.

Fines & camera enforcement

Speeding, phone use and seatbelt violations draw fines often settled in cash at checkpoints; photography of roads and infrastructure is restricted and can cause detention, so avoid it.

If you have an accident

Stop, do not move the vehicles, and report to the police immediately; a police report is mandatory for any rental or insurance claim and leaving the scene is illegal.

Full driving guide for Eritrea

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Sixt in Eritrea?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Eritrea ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. 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.
02
What documents should I bring to the Sixt desk in Eritrea?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Eritrea drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Sixt in Eritrea?
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. Locally, Eritrea sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Sixt require?
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.
05
Can I take a Sixt rental across the border or drop it one-way?
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.
06
Does Sixt charge for an additional driver?
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).
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Eritrea?
Eritrea has no toll roads, vignette or electronic toll system, so no toll charges apply to tourists.
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Sixt car in Eritrea?
Speeding, phone use and seatbelt violations draw fines often settled in cash at checkpoints; photography of roads and infrastructure is restricted and can cause detention, so avoid it.
09
What is Sixt's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation for licences issued outside the EU and not in the Roman alphabet. Sixt is a German-headquartered global brand operating in over 100 countries with a fleet heavily weighted toward premium and luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi), and offers the SIXT+ flexible car-subscription product alongside traditional rental.
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