Do I Need an International Driver's License to Rent a Car?
This is the most frequently asked question. The answer is simple – yes, if you want to rent a car abroad, you need an international driver's license. As soon as I say these words, many start arguing that they have rented a car many times and were never asked for an international driver's license. Yes, that can happen frequently, and everything would be fine until you encounter a company or an employee who asks for your international driver's license – just a small booklet.
This is explained by the fact that today there are many companies and employees in the car rental market who do not ask for international driver's licenses. There are many reasons for this. For example, you have come across an experienced employee who knows all kinds of driver's licenses and has no problem accepting your documents, even if not a single word is written in English, or you are dealing with a small local car rental company that does not care about laws or regulations.
However, none of this can be considered a rule or a pattern, as each car rental provider has clear internal rental terms that apply to the respective company.
In other words: Each company can have its own rental conditions. My advice to you is therefore to always carry an international driver's license to avoid the situation where you have a paid voucher but do not receive a car and your money is not refunded!
You can apply for an international driver's license (a separate booklet) at the road traffic authority. It is usually issued for three years and costs about 1600 rubles.
Maxim Nagibin,
Consultant at HolylandCars
