Does Thrifty require an IDP in Hong Kong?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Hong Kong: the policy in plain terms
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Hong Kong drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
In Hong Kong specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Hong Kong ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Self-drive rental is limited; an IDP is expected where available.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Hong Kong desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Hong Kong drives on the left, uses the HKD, 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 Hong Kong
- 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 HKD deposit; Hong Kong drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Hong Kong Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Seatbelts mandatory front and rear.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Tunnels and bridges carry tolls.
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 Hong Kong
Hong Kong has numerous toll tunnels and roads (fees roughly HK$0-HK$75 depending on tunnel and vehicle) now moving to the cashless HKeToll system, where a vehicle tag is read automatically and billed. Rental cars are tag-equipped and tolls are charged back to the renter.
On-street metered bays (30 minutes to 2 hours) are paid by Octopus card or the app, and commercial car parks dominate, with busy-area hourly rates above HK$50. Illegal parking draws a fixed penalty (raised to HK$400 from 2026), wheel-clamping or towing.
Fixed-penalty speeding fines run HK$320 (up to 15 km/h over) to HK$1,000 (over 45 km/h over), with demerit points and possible disqualification; phone use and no seatbelt are also penalised. Rental firms forward camera/fixed-penalty notices to the renter plus an admin fee.
Dial 999 for emergencies; you must stop, exchange details, and report any accident to police within 24 hours (immediately if there is injury). A police report is needed for the rental company and any insurance claim.
Full driving guide for Hong Kong →