Does Thrifty require an IDP in Bahrain?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Bahrain: the policy in plain terms
Asks for a licence translation in select countries and for non-Roman-alphabet licences. Budget-friendly brand paired with Dollar in many markets.
Bahrain drives on the right and enforces zero alcohol behind the wheel; tourists should carry an IDP with their national licence.
In Bahrain specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Bahrain ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Manama desks request an IDP for most non-GCC licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Bahrain desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Bahrain drives on the right, uses the BHD, 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 Thrifty counter in Bahrain
- 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 BHD deposit; Bahrain drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Bahrain Thrifty renters should know
- Zero-tolerance alcohol law while driving.
- Speed cameras widespread.
- Seatbelts mandatory front and rear.
- Phone use while driving heavily fined.
Thrifty's rental terms that affect your IDP booking
Thrifty's published minimum rental age is 20 at most U.S. and Canada locations (18 in Michigan, New York, and Quebec); drivers aged 20-24 (or 18-24 in those exception states/province) are charged an Underage Drivers fee that varies by location, typically around $29/day and higher (roughly $35-$52) in New York and Michigan.
A valid credit/debit card in the renter's own name is required and a hold is placed for estimated charges plus roughly $200 extra for credit cards or $500 for debit (about $350 CAD in Canada); Visa/Mastercard/Discover debit cards are accepted only on Compact through Fullsize classes (not Premium and above) and a physical card must be presented as digital-wallet cards are not accepted.
Additional drivers must meet the minimum age requirement and hold a valid licence, and an additional-driver fee applies per day; it is waived for Blue Chip Rewards members, government renters on official orders, corporate-rate customers, and the companion/driver of a physically impaired customer. Thrifty's general policy requires a valid driver's licence covering the entire rental period but does not publish a fixed minimum tenure; in practice under-25 renters are typically expected to have held a full licence for at least one year.
Driving is generally restricted to the continental United States and Canada, and a Canadian resident is prohibited from driving a U.S.-owned vehicle into Canada; one-way rentals are offered within the U.S. and within Canada subject to location/availability with a one-way drop fee.
Foreign renters must present a driver's licence issued in their country of residence together with a valid passport; if the licence is not in English, Thrifty requires both the foreign licence and a current International Driver's Permit to be presented.
Once you collect the keys in Bahrain
Bahrain has no toll roads or vignette system, including the causeways within the kingdom, so tourists pay no road tolls. (Crossing the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia involves separate causeway and border fees.)
Manama and central districts have paid parking zones with meters and designated lots; signage shows time limits and charges. Illegally parked vehicles are fined and may be towed, and enforcement applies equally to tourists.
Camera enforcement is heavy and rental firms pass fines (plus an admin fee) to the renter; speeding up to 30% over the limit carries BHD 50-250, mobile-phone use roughly BHD 200, and seatbelt/child-seat breaches BHD 20-100. Serious speeding can mean far larger fines or imprisonment.
Call 199 for traffic accidents without injuries and 999 if anyone is hurt; you will be directed to one of the accident report centres to file a report. Do not move the vehicles before reporting, as a police report is mandatory for any insurance claim.
Full driving guide for Bahrain →