Does Sixt require an IDP in Ukraine?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Ukraine: 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.
Ukraine drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses Cyrillic, so an IDP helps translate non-Cyrillic licences.
In Ukraine specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Ukraine ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Sixt will typically ask for it at the counter. Desks ask for an IDP for non-Cyrillic licences.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Ukraine desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Ukraine drives on the right, uses the UAH, 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 Ukraine
- 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 UAH deposit; Ukraine drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Ukraine Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on outside built-up areas Oct–Apr.
- 0.02% alcohol limit.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
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 Ukraine
Ukraine has no nationwide motorway toll or vignette system - state highways are free to use - so no toll payment is required of tourists.
In Kyiv paid parking is zone-based and commonly paid via apps (such as the Kyiv Digital app) or attendants; park only in marked bays, as towing and clamping occur in the centre.
From June 2025 speeding fines rose to as much as ~UAH 2,550 with possible licence loss; Ukraine enforces zero-tolerance drink-driving with heavy fines, suspension or imprisonment, and police frequently run roadside document checks.
Dial 102 for police (112 also routes emergencies); for any injury crash do not move the vehicles and wait for patrol police to record the accident, while minor damage-only cases can use a European-style accident report if both parties agree.
Full driving guide for Ukraine →