Does Thrifty require an IDP in Sudan?
Written by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Thrifty in Sudan: 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.
Sudan drives on the right; an IDP is expected with your home licence, and Saharan routes require careful planning.
In Sudan specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in 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 limited; an IDP and passport are expected where rental exists.
Thrifty runs a global network; at its Sudan desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva Convention format alongside the original licence. Sudan drives on the right, uses the SDG, 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 Sudan
- 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 SDG deposit; Sudan drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.
Driving rules in Sudan Thrifty renters should know
- Drive on the right.
- Sandy desert roads and checkpoints.
- Alcohol is prohibited.
- 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 Sudan
Sudan has no nationwide electronic toll network; the main long-distance corridor is the Khartoum-Port Sudan highway, and any charges are paid in cash, though ongoing conflict has halted most road maintenance and upgrade projects.
There are no formal paid parking apps or colour-coded zones; in Khartoum parking is informal and congested, with vehicles competing for kerb space alongside buses and motorcyclists, and attended lots expect a cash tip.
Using a phone while driving is illegal, seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants front and rear, and the blood-alcohol limit is zero; enforcement is manual with on-the-spot cash penalties at checkpoints.
Stop immediately and do not leave the scene; contact the police (emergency 999) and obtain a report, since third-party liability insurance claims require it. Note the US State Department advises against all travel to Sudan due to armed conflict.
Full driving guide for Sudan →