Does Sixt require an IDP in Hong Kong?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Hong Kong: 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.
Hong Kong drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
In Hong Kong specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Hong Kong 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 rental is limited; an IDP is expected where available.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Hong Kong desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Hong Kong drives on the left, uses the HKD, 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 Hong Kong
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the HKD deposit; Hong Kong drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Hong Kong Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory front and rear.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Tunnels and bridges carry tolls.
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 Hong Kong
Hong Kong has numerous toll tunnels and roads (fees roughly HK$0-HK$75 depending on tunnel and vehicle) now moving to the cashless HKeToll system, where a vehicle tag is read automatically and billed. Rental cars are tag-equipped and tolls are charged back to the renter.
On-street metered bays (30 minutes to 2 hours) are paid by Octopus card or the app, and commercial car parks dominate, with busy-area hourly rates above HK$50. Illegal parking draws a fixed penalty (raised to HK$400 from 2026), wheel-clamping or towing.
Fixed-penalty speeding fines run HK$320 (up to 15 km/h over) to HK$1,000 (over 45 km/h over), with demerit points and possible disqualification; phone use and no seatbelt are also penalised. Rental firms forward camera/fixed-penalty notices to the renter plus an admin fee.
Dial 999 for emergencies; you must stop, exchange details, and report any accident to police within 24 hours (immediately if there is injury). A police report is needed for the rental company and any insurance claim.
Full driving guide for Hong Kong →