Does Sixt require an IDP in San Marino?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in San Marino: 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.
This enclave inside Italy drives on the right and follows Italian-style rules; an IDP is rarely required but useful for non-EU visitors.
In San Marino specifically, san Marino 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. Cars are typically rented in Italy; an IDP helps non-EU drivers.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its San Marino desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. San Marino drives on the right, uses the EUR, 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 San Marino
- 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 EUR deposit; San Marino drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in San Marino Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on motorways and in tunnels.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
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 San Marino
San Marino has no motorways and no toll roads, so no vignette or toll payment is required; the connecting Italian roads (SS72) are likewise toll-free.
Parking in the historic Città (old town) is restricted to colour-coded paid bays and several public garages, since the walled centre is largely pedestrian-only; pay at meters and avoid double-white-line and crossing areas.
Italian-style on-the-spot fines apply for speeding, no seatbelt and handheld phone use (drink-drive limit 0.05%); rental companies operating across the Italy border pass camera fines back to the hirer with an admin charge.
Call 112/113 for police; exchange details and complete the European Accident Statement (CID/constat) form, and do not move vehicles after an injury crash until authorities attend.
Full driving guide for San Marino →