Does Thrifty require an IDP in Poland?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Poland: 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.
Poland drives on the right with year-round daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP alongside their licence.
In Poland specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Poland ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Warsaw and Kraków desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Poland desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Poland drives on the right, uses the PLN, 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 Poland
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the PLN deposit; Poland drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Poland Thrifty renters should know
- Headlights on day and night, all year.
- 0.02% alcohol limit.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
- Electronic tolls (e-TOLL) on expressways.
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 Poland
Only A-designated motorways carry e-TOLL charges; all S-class expressways are toll-free. Foreign cars must register their plate in the e-TOLL PL app (or use an OBU) before driving tolled sections, or face fines of at least PLN 500 from roadside enforcement.
Major cities run paid street zones (Strefa Płatnego Parkowania) typically PLN 4-8/hour on weekdays, paid at meters or via apps (mPay, moBiLET). Illegal-parking fines run roughly PLN 100-800 and towing is common in centres.
Since 2022 fines are steep: speeding can reach PLN 2,500-5,000 for serious overages, phone use and no-seatbelt are ticketed, and police can issue on-the-spot mandate fines. Rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with a fee.
Call 112 (single emergency number; 997 police direct). For injuries you must call police; for minor damage drivers may settle amicably with a signed European accident statement and exchange of insurance details.
Full driving guide for Poland →