Does Thrifty require an IDP in Georgia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Georgia: 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.
Georgia drives on the right under the 1968 Vienna Convention and uses its own script, so an IDP is advised to translate your licence.
In Georgia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Georgia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Tbilisi desks ask for an IDP with non-Latin-script licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Georgia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Georgia drives on the right, uses the GEL, 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 Georgia
- 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 GEL deposit; Georgia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Georgia Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on at all times.
- 0.03% alcohol limit.
- Assertive driving on mountain 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 Georgia
Georgia has no toll roads, vignettes or road taxes on any main tourist route, so foreign-registered and rental cars drive the national highways toll-free. Budget only for fuel and parking.
Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Gori run paid zones requiring payment via municipal app (Tbilisi Parking), website or pay-box, with a 50 GEL fine for unpaid parking; passes range from a 20 GEL daily up to 800 GEL annual. Read signs carefully, as cars in prohibited spots are towed.
Speed cameras are widespread and fines are issued by plate (e.g. roughly 50 GEL for moderate speeding, up to 200 GEL for over 50 km/h above the limit), plus fines for phone use and no seatbelt; rental firms forward camera fines to the renter. Most fines are paid online or at banks, not cash on the spot.
Dial 112 for police and ambulance; do not move the vehicles and wait for the patrol police to attend and produce a report, which the rental company and insurer will require. A police report is effectively mandatory for any claim.
Full driving guide for Georgia →