Does Sixt require an IDP in Vanuatu?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Sixt in Vanuatu: 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.
Vanuatu drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin scripts.
In Vanuatu specifically, vanuatu 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. Port Vila desks accept many licences; an IDP helps non-Latin scripts.
Sixt runs a europe / global network; at its Vanuatu desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. Vanuatu drives on the right, uses the VUV, 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 Vanuatu
- 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 VUV deposit; Vanuatu drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Vanuatu Sixt renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Unsealed roads outside Port Vila.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Watch for pedestrians and animals.
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 Vanuatu
Vanuatu has no toll roads or electronic toll system; including the sealed Efate ring road, all roads are toll-free.
Port Vila has no metered parking zones or parking apps and overnight street parking is largely unregulated, but the central market and waterfront road become heavily congested on weekday mornings. Park in attended or hotel lots and never leave valuables visible, as break-ins occur.
Town speed limit is 50 km/h and 80 km/h outside towns; police run frequent roadside checks and fine for speeding, no seatbelt, phone use or failure to produce licence and IDP, which can mean on-the-spot fines or temporary suspension. Rental companies pass any infringement and camera charges back to the hirer's card.
Report any accident to the local police within 24 hours (emergency 112) and file damage with your insurer; do not move vehicles after a serious or injury crash until police attend. Keep the police report for your rental claim.
Full driving guide for Vanuatu →