Enterprise accepts an international driver license as your primary driving credential, but only if you also carry your valid passport and meet their age and insurance requirements
Enterprise will rent you a car using an International Driving Permit (IDP) — the official document issued by your home country's motor vehicle authority — provided you have your passport with you and you meet their minimum age requirement, which is typically 21 years old (though some locations require 25 for certain vehicle classes). The IDP is not a replacement for your home country license; it is a translation of it, and Enterprise expects to see both documents together. Without your passport, most Enterprise locations will not complete the rental, even if your IDP is current.
The specific documents you need depend on where you are renting and where you are from. If you are renting in the United States, Enterprise requires your passport, your valid home country driver license, and your IDP. If you are renting outside the United States, the requirements shift slightly — some countries accept the IDP alone, while others still want your home license as backup. Before you arrive at the counter, call the specific Enterprise location where you plan to rent and confirm what they need from you.
Key Takeaways
- Enterprise requires your passport, your home country driver license, and your valid International Driving Permit together — the IDP alone is not enough in most locations.
- You must obtain your IDP from your home country's motor vehicle authority before you travel; Enterprise cannot issue one or accept a digital version.
- The minimum rental age at Enterprise is typically 21, but some locations and vehicle types require you to be 25 or older.
- Rental rates and insurance requirements may be higher for drivers under 25, and some Enterprise locations impose additional fees for international drivers.
- Your IDP is valid for one to three years depending on which country issued it, so check the expiration date on the document before you book.
How to obtain an International Driving Permit before your trip
An International Driving Permit is issued only by your home country's official motor vehicle authority — in the United States, that is your state's Department of Motor Vehicles; in Canada, your provincial licensing office; in the United Kingdom, the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). You cannot obtain an IDP from Enterprise, from a travel agent, or from any private company, despite what some third-party websites claim. The process typically takes one to two weeks if you explore in person and longer if you explore by mail.
To explore, you will need your valid home country driver license, a completed process form (which your motor vehicle authority provides), and usually a passport-sized photograph. Some authorities charge a small fee — typically between $15 and $30 — and issue the permit on the spot or within days. Others mail it to you. The IDP is valid for one to three years depending on your country; check the expiration date printed on the document before you travel. If your IDP has expired, Enterprise will not accept it, and you will need to obtain a new one before you can rent.
What Enterprise checks when you arrive to pick up your rental
At the Enterprise counter, the agent will examine your passport to verify your identity and check that it is not expired. They will then look at your home country driver license to confirm it matches your passport and that the license itself is not expired. Finally, they will review your IDP to may support it is current and that it corresponds to your home license. If any of these three documents is missing, expired, or does not match the others, the rental agent has the authority to refuse the rental.
Enterprise will also ask about your insurance coverage. If you are renting in the United States, they will ask whether your home country auto insurance covers you abroad, or whether you want to purchase their collision damage waiver and liability coverage. This is a separate transaction from the rental itself and can add significantly to your total cost. Some credit card companies offer rental car coverage for international rentals, so check your card's benefits before you arrive at the counter — you may be able to decline Enterprise's insurance and use your card's coverage instead.
Age requirements and additional fees for international drivers
Enterprise's standard minimum rental age is 21 years old, but this varies by location and vehicle type. Some Enterprise locations require drivers under 25 to pay a daily underage driver fee, which can range from $15 to $30 per day depending on the location and the vehicle class. Luxury or high-performance vehicles often have a minimum age of 25 regardless of location. If you are under 25, call ahead to the specific Enterprise location where you plan to rent and ask about their age-related fees and vehicle restrictions.
International drivers may also face additional requirements or fees that domestic drivers do not. Some Enterprise locations require international renters to provide a credit card in their own name (not a debit card or a card issued to someone else), and some require a larger security deposit. A few locations charge an international driver fee on top of the daily rental rate. These policies are set by individual Enterprise franchises, so the fees and requirements you encounter at one location may differ from those at another. Calling ahead eliminates surprises at the counter.
Insurance and liability when renting with an international license
When you rent a car in the United States with an international driver license, you are responsible for any damage to the vehicle and for any liability if you cause an accident. Enterprise's collision damage waiver (CDW) covers damage to the rental car itself, but it does not cover your liability to third parties — that is what liability insurance does. If you decline Enterprise's liability coverage and you cause an accident that injures someone or damages their property, you could be personally liable for costs that far exceed the rental price.
Your home country auto insurance may or may not cover you when you rent a car abroad. Some policies extend to rental cars in the United States; others do not. Some credit cards offer rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit, but that coverage often has limits and exclusions. Before you travel, contact your insurance company or credit card issuer and ask explicitly whether you are covered for a rental car in the country where you plan to rent. If you are not covered, purchasing Enterprise's insurance is the safer choice, even though it adds to your cost.
What to do if Enterprise refuses your rental
If an Enterprise agent refuses to rent to you because of your documents, ask to speak with the location manager. Explain your situation clearly — for example, if your IDP is current but the agent claims it is not, or if you have your passport but the agent says it is expired when it is not. The manager has more authority than the counter agent and may be able to override the decision or offer an alternative. If the manager also refuses, ask for the reason in writing and get the name and contact information for the Enterprise regional office.
If you believe Enterprise has refused you based on discrimination rather than a legitimate document or age requirement, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or with your state's attorney general's office. However, Enterprise's document requirements and age policies are legal and standard across the rental car industry, so a refusal based on those grounds is not discrimination. If you are refused because of your nationality or country of origin, that is a different matter and worth reporting.
Alternatives if you cannot rent from Enterprise
If Enterprise will not rent to you, other major rental car companies operate under similar policies. Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National all accept International Driving Permits and require a passport, home license, and IDP together. They have the same age minimums and similar insurance requirements. Calling multiple companies before you arrive may reveal that one location has more flexible policies than another, though the differences are usually small.
Some smaller, independent rental car companies have different requirements and may accept an IDP without a passport in certain circumstances, though this is rare and risky — you could arrive at the counter only to be turned away. If you are renting in a major city, you have many options; if you are renting in a remote area, your choices may be limited to one or two companies. Book early and confirm the document requirements with your chosen company at least one week before your rental date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car with just my International Driving Permit and no home country license?
No. Enterprise requires both your home country driver license and your International Driving Permit together. The IDP is a translation of your home license, not a replacement for it. Without your home license, Enterprise will not complete the rental.
What if my International Driving Permit has expired?
Enterprise will not accept an expired IDP. You must obtain a new one from your home country's motor vehicle authority before you travel. This process typically takes one to two weeks if you explore in person, so plan ahead if your IDP is nearing expiration.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in my home country?
No. An IDP is only necessary when you rent a car in a country other than the one that issued your driver license. If you are renting in your home country, your regular driver license is sufficient.
Will my home country auto insurance cover me when I rent a car from Enterprise in the United States?
It depends on your policy. Some home country insurance policies extend to rental cars in the United States; others do not. Contact your insurance company before you travel and ask explicitly. If you are not covered, you should purchase Enterprise's liability coverage to protect yourself.
Can I use a digital or mobile version of my International Driving Permit?
No. Enterprise requires a physical, printed International Driving Permit. Digital versions are not accepted. Make sure you have the original document with you when you arrive to pick up your rental.