Does Thrifty require an IDP in Dominican Republic?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Dominican Republic: 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.
The Dominican Republic drives on the right and accepts a valid foreign licence for short stays; an IDP is advised for non-Latin-script holders.
In Dominican Republic specifically, dominican Republic lets visitors drive on a valid foreign licence, but Thrifty still asks for a licence translation if your licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet — and it removes any doubt at the counter. Punta Cana and Santo Domingo desks accept many licences; an IDP helps.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Dominican Republic desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Dominican Republic drives on the right, uses the DOP, 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 Thrifty counter in Dominican Republic
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the DOP deposit; Dominican Republic drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Dominican Republic Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Aggressive urban traffic and motoconchos.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Avoid night driving on rural roads.
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 Dominican Republic
Toll booths ('peajes') sit on the main highways radiating from Santo Domingo and on the Samana toll road; pay cash in Dominican pesos (booths rarely take cards), with charges of roughly RD$60-300 (about US$1-5) per booth depending on the route.
Parking is free in most areas but paid or attended in larger town centres; in Santo Domingo's Zona Colonial use guarded lots, tip the informal car-watchers, and never leave valuables visible.
DIGESETT issues fines for speeding, phone use and no seatbelt (commonly RD$500-1,500, rising for serious excess and possibly licence points/bans); officers may seek payment roadside, and rental firms pass camera and unpaid-toll fines back to the renter's card.
Dial the nationwide 911; call the rental company and do not move the car unless it is unsafe to leave it where it stopped, and wait for DIGESETT traffic police to document the scene.
Full driving guide for Dominican Republic →