Driver requirements

General Overseas Driving Rules

• •Renters must present: valid original domestic driver's license from country of residence, original passport, a destination-approved International Driving Permit (IDP) or official translation, and the booking confirmation voucher.
• •Photocopies, digital scans, electronic licenses, and learner/probational licenses are strictly prohibited.

Taiwan Market (TW)

• •General Travelers: Valid domestic license + Passport + International Driving Permit (IDP) from country of origin.
• •Japan License Holders: Japanese license + Passport + Official Chinese translation issued by JAF or the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (an IDP is NOT accepted).
• •Hong Kong & Macao Residents: Valid passport + Full local Hong Kong/Macao driving license.
• •Regulatory Reciprocity: Under local motor vehicle regulations and reciprocity rules, holders of non-reciprocal driving licenses (such as Mainland China or Austria licenses) cannot self-drive in the Taiwan market.
• •Stays Over 30 Days: Travelers staying and driving more than 30 days must register and endorse their IDP at a local Motor Vehicle Office.

Japan (JP)

• •Statutory Requirement: Drivers without a Japanese license must present their domestic license + Physical booklet IDP issued strictly under the 1949 Geneva Convention (with A/B/C/D/E category stamps).
• •Prohibited: Digital IDPs, mobile apps, and 1968 Vienna Convention IDPs are strictly rejected.
• •6 Countries/Regions Exception: License holders from Belgium, France, Germany, Monaco, Switzerland, and Taiwan may drive with their domestic license + Official Japanese translation (must be obtained prior to pickup; no counter exceptions).

Malaysia

• •Drivers must hold a valid national driving license or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• •Full licenses issued in English permit driving in Malaysia for up to 3 months without an IDP; non-English licenses must be accompanied by an IDP.
• •Probational or learner licenses (e.g. P-plates) are strictly not accepted.

Thailand

• •Drivers must possess at least 1 year of licensed driving experience at the time of rental.
• •An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required, or a domestic license with an official English translation (an IDP is mandatory if the license is not in English).
• •Cross-border driving outside of Thailand is strictly prohibited.

Age Calculation Benchmark

• •Age eligibility is calculated strictly based on the driver's date of birth.

Benchmark Age Limits by Destination

• •Japan (JP): Minimum age is 18 years old, generally with no maximum age limit.
• •Taiwan Market (TW): Minimum age is generally 20 years old, and the maximum age limit is 75 years old.
• •Thailand: For self-drive rentals, the minimum age is 21 years old and the maximum age is 70 years old (drivers must hold a full license for at least 1 year; cross-border driving outside Thailand is prohibited).
• •Malaysia: Standard vehicle categories (Economy, Compact, Sedans, and Standard SUVs) require drivers to be 21 to 75 years old. Premium, Luxury, or Specialty vehicle categories restrict driver age to 25 to 65 years old.

Vehicle Group Correlation & Surcharge Guidance

• •Age requirements correlate directly with the selected "Vehicle Group": luxury cars, premium SUVs, or specialty models often mandate higher age thresholds (e.g. 21 or 25 years old).
• •Certain locations may apply young or senior driver surcharges for drivers aged 21–24 or over 65.
• •The booking system automatically validates eligibility against your entered age during vehicle selection; learner or probational permits are excluded across all markets.

Cardholder-name and card-type requirements for payment and deposit at pickup depend on the selected booking and serving branch. Some branches require a physical card in the main driver's name; others may accept another cardholder when the booking terms allow it and the cardholder is present for verification. Debit, prepaid and virtual-card support also varies and may differ from online payment rules. Before travel, check the booking's pickup requirements or confirm with the branch, and bring an accepted card with enough available credit for any pre-authorisation.

Additional Driver Registration Rules

• •Location: Additional drivers must be officially registered at the rental counter.
• •Presence & Verification: Every additional driver must appear in person and present their valid domestic driving license, passport, and applicable IDP/translation.
• •Equal Standards: Additional drivers must meet the exact same age, license duration, and qualification rules as the main driver.
• •Insurance Protection: Driving by unregistered individuals is strictly prohibited and immediately voids all insurance coverage.

Grounds for Rental Refusal at the Counter

• •Sobriety & Fitness: The driver appears under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or severe physical/mental impairment.
• •Identity Mismatch: The person collecting the vehicle does not match the driver named in the booking confirmation.
• •Statutory Ineligibility: Destination reciprocity laws prohibit the driver (e.g. driving in the Taiwan market with a non-reciprocal foreign driving permit).
• •Payment Card Failure: The main driver fails to provide a physical credit card in their name, or available funds are insufficient for the deposit pre-authorisation.
• •Unsettled Debts: Outstanding payments or dispute records remain from a previous rental.

Prohibition of Driver Intermediary Services

• •Self-Drive Only: IX RENTAL strictly provides self-drive vehicle rental services only.
• •Legal Prohibition: Transport laws strictly forbid vehicle rental companies from acting as drivers, providing chauffeur services, or introducing drivers as an intermediary.
• •Customer Responsibility: Customers must independently arrange their own qualified drivers and officially register all drivers on the rental agreement prior to vehicle handover.