Does Thrifty require an IDP in North Macedonia?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in North Macedonia: 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.
North Macedonia drives on the right with Cyrillic signage, so an IDP is advised to translate your licence for desks and police.
In North Macedonia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in North Macedonia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Skopje desks ask for an IDP with non-Latin-script licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its North Macedonia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. North Macedonia drives on the right, uses the MKD, 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 North Macedonia
- 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 MKD deposit; North Macedonia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in North Macedonia Thrifty renters should know
- Headlights on at all times.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
- 0.05% alcohol limit; zero for new drivers.
- Toll motorways between major cities.
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 North Macedonia
There is no vignette; motorways (A1 Skopje-Greece, A2 toward Albania) use staffed toll booths charging roughly 0.70-1.60 EUR per section by vehicle class. Pay in Macedonian denars, euros or by card at the booth.
Skopje has paid blue/green zone street parking with kiosks and SMS payment; illegally parked cars in zone areas are wheel-clamped or towed. Always park in the direction of traffic.
Police issue on-the-spot fines (payable in cash) for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use; headlights must be on day and night or you risk a fine. Rental companies pass camera/speed fines to the renter's card plus an admin fee.
Dial the single European number 112 (or police 192). For any injury or damage that cannot be settled amicably you must call the police and obtain a report; do not move the vehicles until police authorise it.
Full driving guide for North Macedonia →