Does Sixt require an IDP in South Africa?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in South Africa: 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 if your licence is not in English; most rental desks ask for one.
In South Africa specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in South Africa ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Requested for non-English licences at Hertz, Europcar and local chains.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its South Africa desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. South Africa drives on the left, uses the ZAR, 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 South Africa
- 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 ZAR deposit; South Africa drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in South Africa Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Toll roads (e-tolls) on major routes.
- Four-way stops are common.
- 0.05% alcohol limit, strictly enforced.
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 South Africa
Toll roads use manned plazas (cash or card) plus some electronic gantries; the Gauteng e-toll scheme was scrapped in 2024, but routes like the N1, N3 and the short Chapman's Peak (around R36 for 9 km near Cape Town) still charge.
In cities, informal car-guards in reflective vests watch your car for a small tip (a few rand), while malls and paid lots use ticket machines; always park in secure, well-lit areas to deter break-ins.
Speeding fines start around R250-R400 for minor excess and rise to R1,500+ for serious cases, with handheld phone use and seatbelt offences also fined; many fines are camera-issued and passed on by the rental firm, and roadside officers occasionally seek cash, which you should decline.
Phone 10111 (police) or 112 from a mobile for injuries; you must stop, exchange details and, even with no injuries, report the crash in person at the nearest SAPS police station within 24 hours to get a case number.
Full driving guide for South Africa →