Does Thrifty require an IDP in Singapore?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Singapore: the policy in plain terms
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Singapore drives on the left and accepts the IDP for short visits; tourists should carry one with their national licence.
In Singapore specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Singapore ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Desks request an IDP for non-English licences; ERP road pricing applies.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Singapore desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Singapore drives on the left, uses the SGD, 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 Singapore
- 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 SGD deposit; Singapore drives on the left with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Singapore Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the left.
- Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries charge in busy areas.
- 0.08% alcohol limit, strictly enforced.
- Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants.
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 Singapore
Singapore uses Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries that deduct charges automatically; rental cars come fitted with an In-Vehicle Unit and a stored-value (NETS/CEPAS) card that must hold sufficient credit, or fines arrive by post.
Urban parking mixes Electronic Parking System (EPS) carparks deducting from the same stored-value card, the URA Parking.sg app for street/coupon zones, and HDB/URA paid lots; illegal or expired parking risks fines and towing.
From January 2026 speeding up to 20 km/h over draws fines from SGD 200 plus 6 demerit points; holding any mobile device (phone, tablet, smartwatch) while driving is illegal, and camera-captured offences are billed to the rental company and passed to the hirer with an admin fee.
For accidents with fatalities or serious injury requiring hospitalisation, calling police on 999 is mandatory; minor accidents need not involve police but should be reported to the Traffic Police (6547 0000) and the rental firm, and you must not obstruct traffic unnecessarily.
Full driving guide for Singapore →