"Italy is one of the easier places in Europe to rent a car — most travellers qualify without issue. Two things to sort before you fly: the IDP (legally required for US drivers, and not something you can fix on arrival) and confirm you have a credit card in your name for the deposit."
Booking a car in Italy looks straightforward until you hit the counter. The requirements are not complicated, but a couple of them are non-negotiable in ways that aren't obvious from the booking confirmation. Most US travellers qualify without any issue — the cars are modern and well-maintained, and the country is competitive on price. What catches people is the paperwork, specifically the International Driving Permit.
This page covers the eligibility requirements: minimum age by supplier, what documents to bring, the credit card rule, and how to get the IDP before you fly. For insurance options and ZTL zones, the Italy rental guide covers those in full.
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Age requirements and young driver surcharges
Italian law sets the driving age at 18, but suppliers impose their own minimums. In practice, 21 is the effective floor at most major chains for standard vehicles. Hertz is the outlier — its Italy minimum is 23, rising to 25 for some vehicle categories. Any driver under 25 pays a young driver surcharge regardless of supplier, billed per day alongside the rental rate.
| Fee | Typical charge | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Under 21 | Limited or unavailable | Most major suppliers set a floor of 21. A few (Sixt, Europcar) allow from 18 with a licence held 1+ year, but vehicle choice is heavily restricted. Hertz minimum is 23. |
| 21 to 24 | ~€15-€25/day surcharge | Rentable at most suppliers. Young driver surcharge applies across the board. Hertz Italy: €24.40/day, capped at €244 per trip. Licence-holding period of 2 years sometimes required for larger categories. |
| 25 and over | No surcharge | No age-related restrictions or fees at any major supplier. Standard rates apply. |
Age brackets and supplier policies. Sources: Hertz Italy rental terms (November 2025), Sixt Italy, Europcar Italy, AutoEurope. Accessed June 2026.
The licence-holding period matters too. Most suppliers require the licence to have been held for at least one year. Avis Italy requires two years for drivers aged 21–24 renting anything larger than a compact. If your licence was issued less than two years ago, bring documentation — the counter will ask.
The International Driving Permit (IDP)
Article 135 of Italy's Codice della Strada (Highway Code) requires non-EU licence holders to carry either an International Driving Permit or a certified Italian translation alongside their domestic licence. A US licence alone is not legally sufficient, even though it looks perfectly legible to most people. The US Embassy in Rome states this plainly: Americans intending to drive in Italy should obtain an IDP before leaving the US.
In practice, some rental counters don't ask to see it. That's the enforcement gap that leads travellers to conclude they don't need one. But Italian traffic police don't operate on counter discretion — if you're stopped without an IDP, you're driving without a legally valid document. The fine is real, and more importantly, your rental insurance coverage may be invalidated. It's a $20 fix that eliminates a meaningful risk.
How to get the IDP before your trip
AAA is the only organisation authorised by the US State Department to issue IDPs. There is no other legitimate source — third-party websites offering "international driver's licences" online are not valid documents.
In person at any AAA branch: $20, issued the same day. You need your valid driving licence and two passport-size photos (AAA can take them on site). Online via aaa.com: $30 plus shipping, with a minimum two-week turnaround. The IDP is valid for one year and can be applied for up to six months before your travel date. It must always be carried alongside your original licence — it is not a replacement.
Credit card requirement
Most major Italian chains require a credit card in the primary driver's name for the deposit hold. Europcar Italy is explicit: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Diners Club only — no debit, no prepaid, no card in another person's name. Hertz operates the same way. If you don't have a credit card, you're not out of options — but the path is narrower. A subset of Italian suppliers accept debit, typically local chains rather than the international brands. The easiest way to find them is through the debit card filter on a comparison platform — it surfaces which suppliers at your specific airport accept it. The condition to check: some of those suppliers require you to purchase their own full coverage at the counter as part of accepting debit. Read the rental conditions for the specific listing before you book.
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Use the debit card filter to see which suppliers at your Italian airport accept it.
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The deposit hold itself covers the excess amount on the vehicle (typically €500–€1,500 depending on coverage level and supplier) and is released after return. Check that your card has sufficient available credit before pickup, not just account balance. Some banks treat a preauthorisation hold as a charge until it clears.
What to bring to the counter
Every driver named on the rental agreement — primary and additional — needs to present their documents at pickup. The list is short but all of it is required:
- Original driving licence (the physical card, not a photo or scan)
- International Driving Permit alongside it
- Passport or government-issued photo ID
- Credit card in the primary driver's name
- Booking confirmation
Additional drivers with a US or other non-EU licence need their own IDP. Additional drivers with an EU licence do not.
- The IDP must be obtained before you leave the US — AAA cannot issue it abroad, and Italian authorities will not accept one issued overseas.
- Carry your original driving licence and IDP together at all times — the IDP is not a standalone document.
- Credit card must be in the primary driver's name. A card in a partner's name will not be accepted for the deposit hold.
- Enterprise in Italy operates through its local partner Locauto, not Enterprise-branded counters. Check your booking confirmation for the exact pickup brand.
- Automatic transmission is scarce in Italy. Specify at booking — do not assume it will be available on arrival.
- Drivers aged 21-24 may face a 2-year licence-holding requirement for vehicle categories larger than compact at some suppliers (notably Avis). Bring proof if your licence was issued less than 2 years ago.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Italy?
Yes. Italian law (Article 135 of the Codice della Strada) requires non-EU licence holders to carry either an IDP or a certified Italian translation alongside their domestic licence. For US drivers, the IDP is the practical route — certified translations are not easy to obtain on the road. The US Embassy in Rome explicitly recommends obtaining one before departure. Some rental counters do not ask to see it, but Italian police can issue fines if you are stopped without it, and your insurance coverage may be affected.
How do I get an International Driving Permit before my Italy trip?
AAA is the only organisation authorised by the US State Department to issue IDPs to US drivers. In person at a AAA branch: $20, same day. Online at aaa.com: $30 plus shipping, allow at least two weeks. You need your valid US driving licence and two passport-size photos. The IDP is valid for one year and can be issued up to six months before your travel date.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Italy?
It varies by supplier. Most major suppliers set 21 as the effective minimum for standard vehicles. Sixt and Europcar allow drivers from 18 with a licence held at least one year, but vehicle choice is restricted. Hertz Italy sets its minimum at 23. All drivers under 25 pay a young driver surcharge — typically €15 to €25 per day — regardless of which supplier they book with.
Can I rent a car in Italy with a debit card?
Most major Italian suppliers require a credit card. Europcar Italy explicitly refuses debit, prepaid, and third-party cards. That said, a subset of Italian suppliers — typically local chains — do accept debit cards. Use the debit card filter on a comparison platform to see which suppliers at your specific airport offer it. Check the rental conditions carefully: some of those suppliers require you to purchase their own full coverage at the counter as a condition of accepting debit.
Does my partner need their own IDP if they are driving too?
Yes, if they hold a non-EU licence. Any additional driver with a US or other non-EU licence should carry their own IDP alongside their domestic licence. EU licence holders do not need an IDP to drive in Italy.
I booked Enterprise in Italy — what should I know?
Enterprise does not operate its own counters in Italy. Bookings go through its local partner Locauto. Your pickup will be at a Locauto counter, which may or may not carry Enterprise branding. Check your booking confirmation for the exact pickup location and company name before you arrive.
