Planning to rent a car in Sardinia with a US driver’s license? You may be able to rent with your valid American licence, but the paperwork can be confusing because official travel guidance and individual rental-company policies do not always phrase the requirements the same way. The safest plan is to arrange an International Driving Permit (IDP) before leaving the United States, carry it alongside your original licence, and confirm the rules with your specific rental company.
Did the rules change in 2026?
We could not verify a new blanket rule introduced in 2026 that makes an IDP mandatory for every US visitor renting a car in Italy. Official Italian travel guidance generally says that licences issued outside the EU need an international permit or an official sworn translation into Italian. At the same time, some rental-company pages explicitly list US licence holders among nationalities that may rent with their domestic licence and passport.
Because these statements address slightly different questions—legal driving documents and a company’s rental-counter policy—do not assume that one general online claim settles your own situation. Check the current requirements before booking and again before collecting the vehicle.
What documents should US visitors carry?
- A valid US driver’s licence: bring the original physical licence, valid for the full rental period.
- An International Driving Permit: this translates your licence details into multiple languages. It is not a replacement for your US licence and must be carried with it.
- Your passport: the rental company may request it as identification.
- A payment card in the main driver’s name: rental companies commonly require one for the deposit, subject to their terms.
Check that your licence class covers the vehicle you plan to rent, and review any minimum-age or minimum-licence-holding-period requirements.
How to get an IDP in the United States
Apply before travelling through an authorised US issuer, such as the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA). Avoid websites selling unofficial “international licences”: an IDP is a standardised translation permit, not a separate driver’s licence. Carry the physical permit together with your original US licence.
Check your rental company’s policy
Before paying for a booking, ask the company in writing whether a US licence is accepted on its own for your pickup location in Sardinia, or whether it requires an IDP or an official translation. Requirements may differ between brands, booking channels and local rental terms. Keep the confirmation with your travel documents.
Useful starting points include the Italian tourism portal’s guide to driving in Italy, the Italian government’s information on non-EU driving licences, and the AAA International Driving Permit service.
Don’t forget Sardinia’s driving rules
Once you have the right documents, remember that Sardinia has narrow rural roads, winding coastal routes and restricted-traffic zones (ZTLs) in some historic centres. Check parking and access signs carefully, and never assume your navigation app will avoid every restricted street.
The short answer
A US driver’s licence may be accepted by some rental companies, but you should not rely on that without checking the exact rules for your booking. We found no reliable evidence of a universal new IDP requirement introduced in 2026; nevertheless, carrying an IDP with your valid US licence is the most prudent way to reduce the risk of problems at the rental desk or during a police check. Verify the current legal guidance and rental terms before you travel.
