Renting a Car in Peru with a US License (2026 Guide)
Yes — but Peruvian rental agencies require both your US license AND an International Driving Permit (IDP). Peru drives on the right. Without an IDP, you can be refused at pickup or fined if stopped by the police.
Peru recognizes foreign licenses only when accompanied by an IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention. Carry both at all times.
Documents You Need at the Rental Counter
Peruvian rental agencies check paperwork carefully, especially the international chains at Lima and Cusco airports. Arrive missing any one of these and you may lose your reservation with no refund.
| Document | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Valid US Driver's License | ✅ | Held 1+ year; must be physical, not expired |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | ✅ | Required to drive legally on a foreign license |
| Passport | ✅ | Identity check; your entry stamp may be requested |
| Major Credit Card (driver's name) | ✅ | Debit cards usually rejected; needed for a security hold |
| Booking Confirmation | ✅ | Printed or on your phone |
| Minimum Age | ⚠️ | Usually 25; ages 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge where allowed |
Sources: U.S. Embassy in Peru guidance, MTC (Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones), Hertz/Avis/Localiza Peru policies.
What Happens If You Don't Have an IDP
The IDP requirement in Peru is not just paperwork — it is enforced at two separate points, and skipping it is the most common mistake American drivers make here.
1. At the rental counter
Major chains operating in Peru — Hertz, Avis, Budget, Localiza, and Europcar — expect an IDP alongside your US license and can refuse pickup at Lima (LIM) and Cusco (CUZ) airports if you cannot present one. Deposits on non-refundable rates are typically lost.
2. At a police checkpoint
Peru's Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP) and transit police run frequent document checks on the Pan-American Highway and at city entrances. Driving on a bare US license without an IDP means you are not properly licensed under Peruvian rules, which exposes you to a fine and — in a dispute — a voided rental insurance claim if you are in an accident.
Real-world note: Speed-camera tickets and toll (peaje) violations captured on your rental plate are forwarded to the rental company, who bill your credit card weeks or months after you fly home — usually with an admin fee on top of the fine.
How to Get an IDP Before Your Trip
Only two organizations are authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue IDPs to US citizens: AAA and AATA. Anything sold on Amazon, eBay, or a random website is a counterfeit — Peruvian agencies and police will reject it, and using a fake document is a separate offense.
- Apply through AAA or AATA.
- Bring your valid US driver's license, two passport-style photos, and a completed application form.
- Pay the standard fee of ~$20 (plus mailing fees if applicable).
- Processing: Same day in person at a AAA branch, or 1-2 weeks by mail.
- The IDP is valid for 1 year from issue and must always be carried alongside your US license.
Best Car Rental Companies in Peru for Americans
The major international chains all operate in Peru alongside strong regional brands. Pricing is broadly comparable; what differs is location density (Lima vs. Cusco vs. Arequipa), fleet quality, and 4x4 availability for the Andes.
| Company | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hertz | US Chain | Strong at LIM and CUZ; asks for IDP |
| Avis | US Chain | Reliable; decent SUV and 4x4 fleet |
| Budget | US Chain | Value option at Lima airport |
| Localiza | Latin American | Largest network in South America; good regional coverage |
| Europcar | EU Chain | Newer fleet; competitive airport rates |
| Inka Rent a Car | Peruvian | Local specialist; Andes-ready 4x4s from Cusco |
4x4 for the Andes: If your plans include the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon, or high mountain passes, reserve an SUV or 4x4 with good ground clearance well ahead — the cheapest compacts struggle on unpaved switchbacks and at altitude.
Insurance: SOAT, CDW, and Supplemental Coverage
Peru requires every vehicle to carry SOAT (mandatory accident insurance) by law, and rental cars include it. On top of that, agencies bundle in coverage you should understand before signing:
- SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito): Legally required on all vehicles; covers bodily injury. It does not cover damage to the vehicle you rent.
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Limits your liability for damage to the rental. Standard CDW still leaves a deductible that can run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Theft Protection (TP): Covers vehicle theft minus a deductible — worth having in busy city areas.
- Super CDW / Zero Excess: Optional upgrade that removes the deductible. Recommended in Peru given rough mountain roads and tight city parking.
- Credit card coverage: Some US cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum) include rental CDW in Peru, but coverage varies. Confirm in writing with your issuer before you decline the agency's CDW.
Source: Peru MTC, SBS (insurance regulator), major agency rental terms.
Peru-Specific Gotchas (Read Before You Drive)
- You cannot drive to Machu Picchu: There is no road to Machu Picchu. You reach it by train from Cusco, Poroy, or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then a shuttle bus. Plan to park the rental in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo or Urubamba) and take the train from there.
- High-altitude driving: Cusco sits at about 3,400m (11,150 ft) and mountain passes exceed 4,000m. Altitude (soroche) affects both driver and engine — expect reduced power, plan for slower climbs, and acclimatize before tackling long mountain days.
- Fuel names: Gasoline is gasolina (sold by octane: 84, 90, 95, 97), and diesel is petróleo or diésel. Confirm what your car takes on the fuel cap before filling — putting the wrong fuel in causes expensive engine damage not covered by basic CDW.
- Tolls (peajes): The Pan-American Highway (Panamericana) and other main roads have toll booths. Keep small soles in cash; not every booth reliably takes cards. Budget for several tolls on a long coastal or mountain drive.
- Lima traffic and combis: Lima traffic is aggressive and lane markings are treated as suggestions. Informal minibuses (combis) stop suddenly and cut across lanes. Drive defensively and expect the horn to be used constantly as a signal, not an insult.
- Do not drive at night on rural routes: Many highways are unlit, animals wander onto the road, and remote stretches carry a bandit/robbery risk. Plan to arrive before dark, especially in the Andes.
- Airport pickup fees: Renting at LIM or CUZ adds airport surcharges versus a city office, but it saves you arranging transport into town first. For most travelers the airport desk is worth it.
Major Peruvian Airports — Rental Car Locations
Major chains have desks at the following airports. Lima is the main hub; Cusco is the gateway for the Sacred Valley and (by train) Machu Picchu.
| Airport | Code | City / Region |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Chávez International | LIM | Lima (Callao) |
| Alejandro Velasco Astete | CUZ | Cusco |
| Rodríguez Ballón | AQP | Arequipa |
| Capitán Carlos Martínez de Pinillos | TRU | Trujillo |
| Coronel FAP Francisco Secada | IQT | Iquitos |
| Inca Manco Cápac | JUL | Juliaca (Lake Titicaca) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your IDP for Peru Today
An IDP costs $20 and takes 1-2 weeks by mail. Skipping it can mean a refused rental at Lima airport or a police fine in the Andes.