Does Thrifty require an IDP in Paraguay?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Paraguay: the policy in plain terms
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Paraguay drives on the right and signs the 1968 Vienna Convention; an IDP is advised with your national licence for desks and checkpoints.
In Paraguay specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Paraguay ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Asunción desks request an IDP for non-Latin-script licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Paraguay desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Paraguay drives on the right, uses the PYG, 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 Paraguay
- 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 PYG deposit; Paraguay drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Paraguay Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Headlights on highways during the day.
- 0.0% alcohol tolerance.
- Carry passport, IDP and home licence.
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 Paraguay
National routes have toll plazas (peajes) run by the MOPC, including Ypacarai between Asuncion and Caacupe and the Remanso and Ybyrarobana booths around the capital; pay the modest fee in Guaranies cash.
Central Asuncion uses paid on-street parking and attended lots; illegally parked cars in the microcentro can be towed, so prefer guarded estacionamientos.
Transit police (Policia Caminera) fine speeding, no seatbelt and phone use, sometimes expecting payment on the spot; rental firms charge any unpaid or camera fines back to the driver.
Call 911 for police and the SEME ambulance service on 141; leave the vehicles in place for a serious crash until the Policia Nacional/Caminera files a report, which is required for insurance and rental claims.
Full driving guide for Paraguay →