Does Thrifty require an IDP in South Sudan?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in South Sudan: the policy in plain terms
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South Sudan drives on the right; an IDP is expected with your home licence, and most travel relies on 4x4s and arranged drivers.
In South Sudan specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in South Sudan ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Thrifty will typically ask for it at the counter. Self-drive is rare; an IDP, passport and 4x4 are expected where available.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its South Sudan desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format alongside the original licence. South Sudan drives on the right, uses the SSP, 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 South Sudan
- Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
- Your International Driving Permit in the internationally recognised format.
- Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
- Local payment for the SSP deposit; South Sudan drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in South Sudan Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Unpaved roads outside Juba.
- Checkpoints are frequent.
- 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 South Sudan
There is no national electronic toll or vignette system; the road network is overwhelmingly unpaved outside Juba, so visitors pay nothing in formal tolls but should budget cash for informal checkpoint demands.
There are no organised paid parking zones; in Juba parking is informal kerbside, often watched by self-appointed attendants who expect a small cash tip, and vehicles should never be left unattended with valuables visible.
Enforcement is largely manual at checkpoints with on-the-spot cash fines negotiated in person; foreign drivers without proper documents risk vehicle hold-ups, and a 4x4 with comprehensive insurance is strongly advised as cover can be voided without an IDP.
After a crash do not move the vehicles if there are injuries; call police (the general emergency line is 777) and remain at the scene, as a police report is required for any insurance claim and leaving can be treated as a serious offence.
Full driving guide for South Sudan →