Does Thrifty require an IDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 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.
Driving is on the right and the country signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised alongside your licence for mountainous routes and frequent police checks.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Sarajevo and Mostar desks ask for an IDP with non-EU licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Bosnia and Herzegovina desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Bosnia and Herzegovina drives on the right, uses the BAM, 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina
- 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 BAM deposit; Bosnia and Herzegovina drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Bosnia and Herzegovina Thrifty renters should know
- Headlights on at all times.
- Carry a reflective vest, triangle and spare bulbs.
- 0.03% alcohol limit.
- Winter equipment mandatory Nov–Apr.
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 Bosnia and Herzegovina
There is no vignette - tolls are paid at manual booths on tolled A1 motorway sections (e.g. Sarajevo-Zenica, Sarajevo-Tarcin, Banja Luka-Doboj); pay in cash in Convertible Marks (BAM) or euros, with most booths also accepting cards.
Towns like Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka use signed paid zones and car parks payable by ticket machine, SMS or attendant; spaces in old-town centres are scarce, so guarded lots or hotel parking are the safest option.
Police issue on-the-spot fines for speeding, no seatbelt, daytime-headlight and phone offences, often payable in cash; the blood-alcohol limit is a strict 0.03% (zero for new and professional drivers), and headlights must be on 24/7 year-round.
Dial 122 for police (124 ambulance, 112 general). Do not move vehicles, switch on hazard lights and set out the warning triangle; a police report is required for insurance, and any visible damage should be reported because driving a visibly damaged car out of the country can be questioned.
Full driving guide for Bosnia and Herzegovina →