Does Sixt require an IDP in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: the policy in plain terms
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines drive on the left and require a local temporary permit, arranged through the rental company.
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. A local temporary permit is required; rental desks help arrange it.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Saint Vincent and the Grenadines desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines drives on the left, uses the XCD, 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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- 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 XCD deposit; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Buy a local driving permit.
- Narrow, hilly roads.
- 0.08% alcohol limit.
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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
There are no toll roads or electronic tolls in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Windward and Leeward Highways and all other roads are free.
On-street parking in central Kingstown is limited and congested, especially near the market and cruise berth; many Windward-side hotels offer free off-street parking, which is the safer choice for valuables.
Drivers face fixed-penalty fines for speeding, seatbelt and mobile-phone offences enforced by the police Traffic Department; on-the-spot or court fines apply and rental companies recover any unpaid tickets from the renter.
Call police/emergency on 999 (or 911); report accidents to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Traffic Department, leave vehicles in place where there are injuries, and exchange insurance details for minor knocks.
Full driving guide for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines →