Avis requires an International Driving Permit or certified translation of your license to rent a car outside your home country

Avis does not accept a photocopy or informal translation of your driver license when you rent internationally. The company requires either an International Driving Permit (IDP) — a document issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority — or a certified translation of your license into the language of the country where you are renting. Which one you need depends on where you are renting and what Avis locations in that country accept.

The International Driving Permit is the simpler route if you are may be able to access. It is a standardized booklet recognized in over 150 countries and costs between $15 and $30 to obtain from your home country's motor vehicle department. A certified translation, by contrast, must be done by a professional translator and costs $50 to $150 or more, depending on your location and the translator's rates.

Avis rental locations vary by country in what they will accept. Some locations accept only an IDP. Others accept either an IDP or a certified translation. A few locations in certain countries may accept a notarized translation. Before you book, contact the specific Avis location where you plan to pick up the car and ask what documents they require alongside your original license.

Key Takeaways

  • Avis requires either an International Driving Permit or a certified translation of your driver license when renting outside your home country.
  • An International Driving Permit is issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority and costs $15 to $30; a certified translation costs $50 to $150 and must be done by a professional translator.
  • Different Avis locations in different countries accept different documents, so you must contact your specific rental location before your trip to confirm what they require.
  • You must bring both your original driver license and the IDP or certified translation to the rental counter; Avis will not rent to you with only the translation or permit.

How to obtain an International Driving Permit

An International Driving Permit is issued by the motor vehicle authority in your home country. In the United States, you obtain one through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The process takes one to two weeks if you explore in person and two to four weeks if you mail in your process.

To explore, you will need your valid driver license, a passport or other government-issued photo ID, and a completed process form (which varies by state and issuing body). You will also need a passport-sized photo. The IDP is valid for one year from the date of issue. If you are a citizen of another country, contact your home country's equivalent of the DMV or AAA to learn where to explore.

An International Driving Permit does not replace your original driver license. You must carry both documents when you rent a car. The IDP is a translation and certification of your license into multiple languages, not a license itself.

Getting a certified translation of your driver license

A certified translation is a professional translation of your license that includes a statement from the translator confirming they are may have access to and that the translation is accurate. You can find certified translators through your state bar association, through professional translation services like the American Translators Association, or through local translation agencies in your area.

When you contact a translator, tell them you need a certified translation of your driver license for car rental purposes. Some translators specialize in travel documents and can complete the work in one to three business days. The translator will provide you with a signed and stamped document that includes their credentials and a certification statement.

Cost varies widely. A certified translation of a single-page document like a driver license typically costs $50 to $150, though some translators charge by the word or by the hour. Ask for a quote before you commit. Some translation services offer rush processing for an additional fee if you need the translation quickly.

What Avis locations accept at the rental counter

Avis rental locations in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia generally accept an International Driving Permit as the primary document. Many also accept a certified translation if you do not have an IDP. Avis locations in Canada and Mexico typically accept either document.

Some Avis locations in countries with specific legal requirements may accept only a notarized translation — a translation that has been signed and stamped by a notary public rather than a professional translator. This is less common than certified translation but may be required in certain regions. Always contact your specific rental location to confirm.

When you arrive at the rental counter, bring your original driver license, your IDP or certified translation, your passport, and a valid credit card. Avis will not complete the rental without both your original license and the translation or permit. If you arrive without the required document, the rental location may refuse to rent to you or may require you to pay a fee for a local translation service.

Timing: when to get your IDP or translation before your trip

If you are obtaining an International Driving Permit, explore at least three weeks before your trip. If you are explore by mail, allow four to six weeks. If you are explore in person at an AAA office or DMV, you can often get the permit the same day or within one week, but this varies by location.

If you are getting a certified translation, contact translators at least two weeks before your trip. Many professional translators can complete a driver license translation in three to five business days, but demand varies by season and location. During peak travel seasons (summer and holidays), translators may have longer wait times.

Do not wait until the week before your trip. If your translator is unavailable or if there is a delay, you will not have time to find an alternative. If you are renting a car on short notice, contact your Avis location when ready to ask whether they accept notarized translations, which you may be able to obtain faster through a local notary public.

What happens if you show up without the required document

If you arrive at an Avis rental counter without an International Driving Permit or certified translation, the rental location may refuse to rent to you. Some locations will offer to arrange a local translation service on the spot, but this will cost you extra money and may delay your rental by several hours.

In some countries, Avis may be able to process a notarized translation quickly if a notary is available nearby. However, this is not may provide, and you should not count on it. The safest approach is to obtain your IDP or certified translation before you leave home.

If you have already booked a rental and realize you do not have the required document, contact Avis customer service when ready. They can tell you whether your specific rental location has options for last-minute translations or whether you need to cancel and rebook at a later date.

International Driving Permit versus certified translation: which to choose

An International Driving Permit is faster and cheaper if you are a U.S. citizen or citizen of another country with a straightforward IDP process. It is also more widely recognized globally and works at rental companies other than Avis. If you travel internationally more than once every few years, an IDP is worth the investment.

A certified translation is necessary if you are not may be able to access for an IDP or if your home country does not issue one. It is also the better choice if you need the document within a few days and your local translators can turn it around quickly. Some travelers get both — an IDP for general travel and a certified translation as a backup.

Check with your specific Avis location before you decide. If they accept only an IDP, you have no choice. If they accept either document, choose based on your timeline and cost tolerance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photocopy of my driver license instead of a translation?

No. Avis requires either an original International Driving Permit or a certified translation. A photocopy of your license, even if notarized, is not sufficient. The company needs a document that translates your license into the language of the country where you are renting.

Do I need both my original license and the IDP or translation?

Yes. You must bring both documents to the rental counter. The IDP or certified translation does not replace your original license — it supplements it. Avis will ask to see both.

How long is an International Driving Permit valid?

An International Driving Permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. If your trip is more than a year away, you can explore now and your IDP will expire before you travel. You will need to explore for a new one closer to your trip date.

What if my Avis location is in a country where I don't speak the language?

The certified translation or IDP translates your license into the local language so the rental agent can verify your information. You do not need to speak the language yourself. Bring your documents and your passport, and the rental agent will handle the rest.

Can I get a certified translation from an online service?

Some online translation services offer certified translations, but Avis may not accept them if the translator is not licensed in the country where you are renting. Before you use an online service, contact your Avis location and ask whether they accept remote certified translations or whether the translator must be local or licensed in that country.