Does Thrifty require an IDP in Romania?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Romania: 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.
Romania drives on the right and requires an e-vignette (rovinietă); non-EU visitors should carry an IDP with their national licence.
In Romania specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Romania ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Bucharest desks request an IDP for non-EU licences; rovinietă usually included.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Romania desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Romania drives on the right, uses the RON, 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 Romania
- 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 RON deposit; Romania drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Romania Thrifty renters should know
- Road vignette (rovinietă) required.
- Headlights on outside built-up areas.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol policy (0.0%).
- Reflective vest and triangle mandatory.
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 Romania
Romania uses the electronic Rovinieta vignette (no physical sticker) required on national roads for all vehicles except motorcycles; buy online at e-rovinieta.ro or at fuel stations for 7-day, 30-day, 90-day or annual terms. Driving without it risks a fine of at least about 50 EUR. The Fetești-Cernavodă bridge has a separate toll.
Bucharest uses pay-and-display zones with varying tariffs and app payment; park on the right in the direction of traffic. Illegal parking is fined and cars are towed, especially in the centre.
Fines scale by penalty-point bands: speeding 50+ km/h over the limit can cost around 265+ EUR with 9-20 points and a 90-day licence suspension; phone use and no seatbelt are ticketed. Rental firms forward camera fines to the renter.
Call 112 for any injury, unsettleable damage or blocked traffic; police notification is mandatory for accidents with death or injury. Photograph the scene, exchange insurance/registration details, and use the amicable European report only for minor agreed damage.
Full driving guide for Romania →