Does Thrifty require an IDP in Philippines?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Philippines: 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 Philippines drives on the right and lets visitors use a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days; an IDP helps for non-English licences.
In Philippines specifically, philippines 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. Manila desks recommend an IDP for non-English licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Philippines desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Philippines drives on the right, uses the PHP, 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 Philippines
- 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 PHP deposit; Philippines drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Philippines Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Number-coding scheme limits plates on set days in Metro Manila.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Helmets mandatory for motorbikes.
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 Philippines
Expressways such as NLEX, SLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX are electronic RFID-only at most barriers (Autosweep and Easytrip systems); confirm the rental car has a funded RFID tag, as cash lanes are largely phased out.
Urban parking is tight and mostly in paid private lots and malls charging by the hour; street parking is metered or attendant-run in cities like Makati, and illegally parked cars are clamped or towed.
LTO/MMDA fines for speeding, no seatbelt and phone use are issued via apprehension or no-contact apprehension cameras; tourists are sometimes flagged down for on-the-spot citations, and rental firms forward camera fines plus a handling fee.
Dial the national emergency line 911 for serious crashes and call the police to obtain a report; do not leave the scene, and exchange details, as rental firms require a police report before settling damage.
Full driving guide for Philippines →