Does Thrifty require an IDP in Croatia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Croatia: 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.
Croatia drives on the right and accepts both conventions; non-EU drivers should hold an IDP, useful on the toll motorways linking the coast.
In Croatia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Croatia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Split and Dubrovnik desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Croatia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Croatia drives on the right, uses the EUR, 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 Croatia
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the EUR deposit; Croatia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Croatia Thrifty renters should know
- Headlights on in winter and in poor visibility.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; zero for drivers under 24.
- Toll motorways along the Adriatic.
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 Croatia
Croatia still uses a ticket-based toll system on most motorways (A1/A3/A5/A6 etc.), not a vignette: take a ticket on entry and pay on exit by cash (euros) or card; an ENC electronic tag gives a discount. Costs vary by distance, e.g. roughly EUR 30+ for Zagreb to Split.
Cities use colour-coded paid zones controlled mainly by SMS/app: in Zagreb Zone 1 is about EUR 1.60/hr (max 2 hrs), Zone 2 about EUR 0.70/hr (max 3 hrs), with cheaper outer zones. Coastal towns get extremely congested in summer; illegal parking risks towing.
Foreign drivers face on-the-spot fines from about EUR 70 for moderate speeding up to roughly EUR 2,000 for extreme speeding; the alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l (0.0 for drivers under 25). Speed cameras typically tolerate only about 10 km/h over, and rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with an admin fee.
Call 112 (or police 192) and report any accident involving injury or significant damage; for minor damage-only crashes, move vehicles clear and complete a European Accident Statement form. Leaving the scene of an injury accident is a serious offence.
Full driving guide for Croatia →