Quick Summary
- Most travellers can hire a vehicle in the United States with a valid foreign driving licence, passport and credit card, especially if the licence is written in English or uses Latin letters.
- An International Driving Permit is often a translation rather than a separate licence, but some suppliers and states still ask for it if your licence is not in English or if local rules are strict.
- Booking with Hola Car Rentals helps you understand which documents are required for your itinerary and protects you with flexible cancellation and clear All Inclusive plus cover before you travel.
Core documents you need at the counter
When you arrive to collect your vehicle, the agent will first confirm your identity and driving rights. In practice that means a valid physical driving licence, your passport, and usually a credit card in the main driver name. The licence must be unexpired, show your full name and date of birth, and match the details on your booking. Many suppliers also require that you have held the licence for at least one or two years, so brand new drivers should double check conditions before they book.
When a foreign licence on its own is enough
If your home licence is printed in English or uses Latin letters such as French, German or Spanish, many large United States rental brands accept it without an extra permit. The card must be clearly readable and include a photograph of the driver. Digital only licences on a mobile app are usually not accepted because staff need to see a plastic card. When you reserve a car rental through Hola Car Rentals, the booking process captures your country of residence so that partner companies can apply the right rules from the start.
When you may need an International Driving Permit
An International Driving Permit, or IDP, acts as an official translation of your licence. It does not replace the original card and cannot be used alone, but it can help local police or rental staff read your licence details. Visitors whose licences use non Latin alphabets, such as Japanese or Arabic, are often required to show an IDP or certified translation. Some suppliers even require an IDP for any licence that is not in English, even if the letters are the same. Because enforcement can vary by state and by brand, it is always safer to carry both documents whenever possible.
How Hola Car Rentals reduces document surprises
Hola Car Rentals gives you clear conditions before confirmation, so you are not trying to interpret fine print at the counter after a long flight. When you choose a pick up such as the busy Miami Airport car counters or a popular desert gateway like Las Vegas driving plans, the system highlights the minimum age, document and deposit rules for each partner. Many All Inclusive plus rates combine maximum liability cover on selected itineraries with free travel insurance up to one hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars and free cancellation up to forty eight hours before pick up, so you can reserve early and update if your documents change. You can also review a Hola Car Rentals article such as an international driving permit guide for Las Vegas to see how these rules look in practice at a major arrival airport.
Practical tips for renting in the United States with a foreign licence
Before you travel, check that the name on your passport, driving licence and payment card match exactly, including middle names. Print your booking voucher and keep it with your travel insurance details. If you decide to obtain an IDP, carry it together with the original card, not instead of it. At collection, allow extra time for the staff to verify your details, especially if your licence is from a country that issues multiple document types. If anything changes, such as a replacement licence number, update Hola Car Rentals so that partners can adjust your booking record in advance.
FAQs
Can I rent a vehicle without an International Driving Permit? In many cases yes, as long as your foreign licence is valid, readable and in a language accepted by the supplier. However some locations and brands still insist on an IDP for non English documents, so it is safer to obtain one where possible.
Is a photo of my driving licence enough? No. Rental desks expect the physical plastic card plus your passport. Photos, scans and digital only licences are usually not accepted because they are easier to fake and cannot be checked against security features.
What if my licence has been valid for less than one year? Some partners require one or two full years of driving history before they release higher category vehicles. If your licence is very recent, consider accepting a smaller car group and always declare this information when you book through Hola Car Rentals.
Can additional drivers also use foreign licences? Yes, but every driver must present their own licence and, if required, IDP at the desk. The same age and document rules apply to each named driver, so plan this before you travel and add them during booking with Hola Car Rentals.
