Main driver requirements
To conclude a rental agreement in Montenegro, there are age limits and driving experience requirements. Although conditions may vary slightly between companies, the average standard is as follows:- Minimum age: Usually 21–22 years. Large international brands often raise the limit to 25.
- “Young driver” fee: If you are between 21 and 25 years old, be prepared for a daily surcharge to the rate.
- Driving experience: Minimum — 1 year, but business-class vehicles may require 3 years or more.
Required documents
To pick up the car, you will need:- International passport (valid).
- Driver’s license. National licenses are accepted without issues if all data is duplicated in Latin characters.
- Credit card. Required to block the deposit. The card must be issued in the name of the main driver.
About licenses: If your driver’s license does not contain Latin transliteration (for example, it is fully in Cyrillic or Arabic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) becomes mandatory.
Deposit and payment
A financial guarantee is standard practice.- Deposit: The amount is blocked on a credit card and depends on the vehicle class (from several hundred to 1000+ euros). It is refunded after the car is returned without damage.
- No-deposit rentals: Rare, mostly offered by small local rental companies, and often require cash payment.
- Rental payment: Visa/Mastercard cards are accepted; cash is accepted less often (usually when booking through local companies).
Insurance and deductible
The base price almost always includes third-party liability insurance and basic damage insurance (CDW) with a deductible. What is a deductible? It is the limit of your liability. If the deductible is 500 euros and the damage is 200 euros, you pay it. If the damage is 2000 euros, you pay 500, and the rest is covered by insurance.
Critically important: In Montenegro, any insurance (even full Super CDW) is invalid without a police report. In case of any accident or even a scratch in a parking lot, you must call the police and complete the paperwork; otherwise, all repairs are paid by the renter.
Standard insurance also often does not cover damage to tires, rims, windows, and the underbody of the car. These options are purchased separately.
Vehicle pickup and return
- Fuel policy: Most often the “Full to Full” rule applies (pick up with a full tank — return with a full tank). If fuel is missing, the cost of gasoline plus a service fee will be charged.
- Inspection: When picking up the car, be sure to record all chips and scratches in photos/videos. Add them to the inspection sheet.
- Mileage: Usually unlimited, but it is better to confirm this in the contract.
Cross-border travel
Planning a trip to Croatia, Albania, or Bosnia? It is possible, but requires preparation.
Recommendation: Inform the rental company about plans to travel abroad at the booking stage. You will need permission from the company and a valid Green Card. Without these documents, cross-border travel is prohibited and may result in fines.
Traffic rules and fines: what tourists need to know
The police in Montenegro treat violations strictly; it is not possible to “settle” matters on the spot.- Headlights: Low-beam headlights must be on 24/7, all year round. This is the most common violation among tourists.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h outside urban areas, 100 km/h on expressways.
- Alcohol: The permitted blood alcohol level is minimal, and enforcement is strict.
- Children: Child safety seats are mandatory for young children.
- Phone: Phone use while driving is allowed only via a hands-free system.