Does Sixt require an IDP in Iceland?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Iceland: 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.
An IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences when renting in Iceland.
In Iceland specifically, iceland 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. F-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Iceland desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Iceland drives on the right, uses the ISK, and sets a minimum driving age of 17; an IDP is still the safest way to avoid a refused booking.
What to bring to the Sixt counter in Iceland
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the ISK deposit; Iceland drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Iceland Sixt renters should know
- Headlights on 24/7 by law.
- Off-road driving is illegal and heavily fined.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Gravel and single-lane bridges common on Route 1.
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 Iceland
The only toll is the Vadlaheidi tunnel near Akureyri (the older Hvalfjordur tunnel is now free); pay online within hours of passing via tunnel.is or the app. A nationwide distance-based road usage charge began phasing in from 2026.
Reykjavik uses paid zones P1 to P4 (P1 the central, priciest zone), payable by meter or the Parka/EasyPark app; the compact centre relies on strictly enforced paid street parking rather than congestion charging, and overstays are ticketed promptly.
Speeding cameras are widespread and fines are steep, starting around ISK 15,000 and rising fast; handheld phone use, no seatbelt and any off-road/off-track driving carry large fines. Police can fine on the spot and rental firms pass on camera and damage charges automatically from the card on file.
Call the single emergency number 112 for police, ambulance and fire; report injuries or significant damage. Do not move vehicles if anyone is hurt, photograph the scene, and complete the accident form provided with the rental, as the rental contract dictates damage reporting (gravel, sand and door-wind damage are common Icelandic claims).
Full driving guide for Iceland →