Requirements to rent a car abroad

What you need to bring

1. A valid driving licence, in physical form.
2. A valid passport.
3. A physical credit card in the driver's name, with enough limit for the security deposit.
4. An International Driving Permit, if you're renting in Europe (except Spain).

Your driving licence

• It has to be the original plastic card. The digital version on your phone and printed copies are not accepted.
• It has to be valid for the whole rental, not just on pick-up day.
• With a provisional or temporary licence, in most cases they won't give you the car.
• Each additional driver must show their own licence at pick-up.

The International Driving Permit

• It's mandatory to rent in Europe, except Spain. You show it together with your licence: it doesn't replace it.
• Outside Europe, and in Spain, it isn't mandatory, but it's worth having. It speeds things up at the counter, helps at police checks, and some insurers require it to cover a claim.
• It's issued in your home country, usually by the automobile club or the licensing authority. Get it before you travel.

The credit card

• It has to be a credit card, not a debit card, and a physical one.
• It has to be in the main driver's name. Cards belonging to relatives or friends are not accepted.
• It has to be enabled for use abroad, with enough limit for the deposit. Check with your bank before you travel.
• Even if you prepaid the rental, the rental company still asks for it.

The security deposit

When you pick up the car, the rental company places a hold on your card to cover possible damage or fines. It's usually around USD 200, although it depends on the rental company, the destination and the car category, and we confirm it when we quote. It isn't a charge: it's released when you return the car, although your bank may take 5 to 30 business days to release it.

Age

• You can rent from age 19. This can vary by country, rental company or car category.
• From 19 to 24 there's a young driver surcharge, which we confirm before you book.
• There's no maximum age, as long as your licence is valid.

Before you travel, check this

• That your licence is valid until the last day of the rental.
• If you're going to Europe (except Spain), that you have the International Driving Permit.
• That the credit card is yours, enabled for use abroad and has enough limit.
• That the name on the booking matches the name on your licence and card.
• That each additional driver brings their licence.