However, they should always check with their local authority to see if this is changing. EU driving licence in UK: If you hold a full licence issued in a country within the European Union you can drive in Great Britain using your original licence until it expires and there’s no need to exchange it or retake your driving test. Can I rent a car in UK with photo copy of my Indian licence? Shop the day away in London and Edinburgh or search for the loch ness monster in Scotland, with a car rent in the UK from Auto Europe you can do it all! Foreigners on short-term visit may rent a car and drive with a valid foreign driver’s license for up to 6 months in Italy.. All licenses issued in the European Union are accepted.. Driver's licenses from non-EU countries (except Switzerland) are accepted if you have a visa in your passport and at the time of hire have not been in Europe for longer than 6 months. If you move to another EU country, you don't usually have to exchange your driving licence for a local one.However, you can voluntarily exchange it for an equivalent one in your new country of residence if … The same applies to those with a European Economic Community (EEC) licence. The rental car company has only to check if you have a drivers license valid for the car you want to rent. Take it from the world-renowned expert on travel in Europe, Rick Steves: In most European countries, your American driver's license and passport are all you need to rent a car. Also, get information on renting a car and what other documents you may need while driving in the U.S. There are actually three types of IDP, so be aware that you might need more than one if you’re driving through multiple countries. You can purchase them at thousands of UK post offices. Depending on who’s supplying the car, you may be asked to pay a cross-border fee. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required. With your IDP in hand, you might think you’ll be ready to rent a car in any of the countries listed. So far, Brexit hasn’t changed anything for EU visitors to the UK either. How long do I need to hold a licence in order to rent a car? It can come in handy when you're renting a car in the UK , stopped by law enforcement, and in many other situations as it's an international document which can help you sidestep confusion about a driver's license local officials may be seeing for the first time. Discover very exciting offers and book online to save money with our convenient and hassle free booking. What you need to bring: Your passport or ID card; Your vehicle’s documents; A valid driver’s licence . Papers. The major rental car companies in Europe are Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt. Those holding a license issued in a Non-Latin-Letter Alphabet must also present a valid International Drivers Permit. If you wish to skip DVLA’s automated phone service or can’t use DVLA 0300 number from your mobile, use DVLA’s standard landline 01792 782 341 and press option 2 (as if you were calling from abroad) and you will be put straight through to a live UK DVLA operator. he principle driver will need to have the following documents in his or her name. When Brexit happened in January 2020, the UK entered a ‘transition period’ that’ll last until 31 December 2020. An IDP only costs £5.50. As it stands, we do not know exactly what this will look like, but you might need an International Driving Permit (IDP) – as well as your UK driving licence – to drive in Europe. You’ll need a passport and ESTA to enter the US, and these will also be needed to rent a car. British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association ready to help customers Renting a Car in Europe #1 Choosing a Company. VroomVroomVroom has compiled the types of driver's licence usually accepted by major car rental companies in the UK and other driving licence requirements when hiring a car. How to rent a car with a drivers licence less than one year old UK driving licences. However, it is important to remember that your IDP only supplements your regular driver’s license. Driving Licence Requirements Customers renting on a UK driver’s licence and driving in the EEA and Switzerland do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle from 1 January 2021. UK drivers: How to get a licence check code when you rent a car. Renters are advised to check whether local authorities require foreign drivers to present an International Driving Permit to avoid the risk of potential fines. Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after Brexit. The good news is that green cards are just for driving your own car, or hire cars from the UK, in the EU. Most UK rental car categories can be driven anywhere in Western Europe, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Just check the government website to find out which kind of IDP (if any) each country will require. For additional information and answers to your questions, visit our UK Car Rental FAQ page. Whether you are planning on a journey that takes place over a few days, or a few weeks, you are going to experience some fascinating cultures and breath-taking sights. Customers renting on a EEA or Swiss driver’s licence and driving in the UK are able to continue drive in the UK. If you are a resident of the UK: - If your licence was issued in Northern Ireland, you can use it as long as it remains valid - If your licence is from the European Economic Area, you can use it until you turn 70 years old. Vehicle rental with full peace of mind A European driver’s license in the USA is also valid to rent a car and drive in the country. All drivers must present a full valid driving license. On some European holiday destinations such as Croatia (e.g. It is, therefore, highly recommended to take a copy or scan of the original driving license prior to volunteering it to the DVLA. You can rent a car in the US with your UK licence as long as you’ve held it for at least a year. On some European holiday destinations such as Croatia (e.g. Bring your regular driver’s license with you. You’ll need your driving licence number, postcode, and National Insurance Number to get your code. Means of payment: You will also need to present a valid credit card on which an authorisation is requested. During the planning phase of the trip, Tim checks the rates for the major companies and chooses the one with the best price. Watch out for Economy Rent A Car rip-offs when renting a car in Canada and USA! Enterprise Rent-A-Car has 20+ airport branches conveniently located in both international and domestic airport terminals across the UK, many are open 24/7. Car hire for under 21 is permitted in Germany, Italy, Portugal and Turkey. SIXT rent a car is one of the largest European car rental companies, founded in Germany in 1912 and expanding ever since. Learn if non-citizens need a U.S. driver's license when visiting or temporarily living in the United States and how to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in each state. Our motto is premium cars at economy rates, you will be able to see our quality service and vehicles at thousands of locations all over Europe. Customers renting on a UK driver’s licence and driving in the EEA and Switzerland do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to rent a vehicle from 1 January 2021. After that, you will need to exchange your licence for a British one. Planning on visiting any EU countries? a) to rent a car. Driving in Europe. If your driving licence expires during a trip abroad, it automatically becomes invalid and may not be recognised in other countries. During the transition period, UK drivers do not need any extra paperwork or an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU or EEA when driving a local rental car; EU driving licences. Car rental companies have different minimum age requirements based on country. Below is a breakdown of the regulations for a car rental in some of Europe’s most popular destinations: General Rental Information for the UK. Brexit doesn’t affect Rentalcars.com’s Full Protection Insurance at all – this insurance works independently from rental companies, and it still offers exactly the same coverage as it used to. Avoid driving licence confusion when hiring a car January 22, 2018 New rules came into force on June 8, 2015 as the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) abolished the … When you pick up your hire car, do let your rental company know if you’re planning to cross the Irish border. Ordinary licences: If you have an EU/EEA ordinary licence, you do not have to register, but you can if you want to. The Brexit transition period has ended and new rules on driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence now apply. Find your nearest branch. (If you were 67 or older when you became a resident, you can drive on your EU licence for 3 years after that point.) The claim process for Full Protection Insurance is still exactly the same as well. Renting a car in the UK is simple using our secure online booking engine, but you can feel free to give us a call toll-free, any time at 1-888-223-5555 to speak with a member of our award-winning customer service team. The below information was found in August 2012: Hertz Car Hire for foreigners You can choose to pay extra for optional insurance products. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. Rent cars with a new UK drivers licence – less than 12 months old Visit Europcar online today at www.europcar for all your car hire needs. All drivers must present a valid non-expired driver's license at the time of rental. 2. Any car you rent in Europe will come with a basic level of compulsory cover. We recommend that until the situation is clear for drivers with a newly issued UK drivers license (and holding a foreign drivers license more than one year), drivers renting cars with other hire vehicle suppliers than Hertz and Avis call the rental station in advance to avoid unforeseen delay and the possible refusal of renting a vehicle. An identification document, such as a passport or ID card may also be required. When you pick up your hire car, do let your rental company know if you’re planning to cross the Irish border. Contact DVLA Swansea If you’re renting a hire car within the EU, you do not need a green card. Always let a rental company know if you want to take a hire car across the sea – whether by ferry or by Eurotunnel. Renting a car in the UK is simple using our secure online booking engine, but you can feel free to give us a call toll-free, any time at 1-888-223-5555 to speak with a member of our award-winning customer service team. To find out … Enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number & postcode. It’s a good idea to exchange your licence for a UK licence as soon as is permissible. AVIS, therefore, recommends calling the car rental station prior to collection of the car, to confirm what additional documentation may be required apart from the “less than 12 months old” UK drivers license. An IDP is a translation of your drivers license and is required to be carried along with your domestic license while driving in most destinations in Europe. If there’s a dispute. Most car hire companies require drivers to have held their drivers license for at least 12 months to qualify for car hire. Rental cars may be fueled by petrol (what North Americans call "gasoline") or diesel. If the driving license is written in a language and characters different to those of the country of rental, an International Driving Permit is also required. However, it is necessary to purchase additional insurance coverage for travel outside mainland UK. To try to shed some light over the situation for many foreign drivers of hire cars in Britain www.Find-cheap-car-hire.co.uk has been in contact with AVIS and Hertz, who both confirm that foreign nationals with new UK drivers licence still can rent cars even though the time passed since the date of issue may be less than a year. About Europcar - car hire Welcome to Europcar, a global leader in car and van hire. Upon collection of your hire car, Hertz rent a car will require the main driver to produce either a photo copy/scan of the old foreign driver’s license or other documentation of authentication by the foreign authorities where the previous license was issued. Europe Car Rental . The good news is that green cards are just for driving your own car, or hire cars from the UK, in the EU. Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after Brexit. It is unlikely that you will get found out unless you are pulled over, but be advised that in the event of an accident your child may not be covered by your rental car or travel insurance. On 1 January 2021, the UK and the EU will start following their new agreement, which will include rules on how the EU treats UK visitors (and how the UK treats EU visitors). At Europcar you can rent a car or van from over 130 locations in the UK, or from any one of our 3500+ worldwide locations. Whether you look for car hire UK to Europe and back or just for the cheapest car rental Europe there are a few rules you have to follow then returning your car: Be on time – if you are late, the car hire company might charge you a fee. Find out more! For more details about legislation and exchanging a foreign European Community and European Economic Area (EC/EEA) licence to a full UK driving license, please use this this link for more information about the procedures of exchanging a foreign license to a GB licence. Almost every UK petrol station is self-serve, so make sure to pay attention. Spain If you're planning to drive in Spain, here are helpful tips ahead of your journey. Depending on who’s supplying the car, you may be asked to pay a cross-border fee. What are your driver's licence requirements for renting in the UK and Ireland? Driving licence exchange in the EU. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Rental cars may be fueled by petrol (what North Americans call "gasoline") or diesel. Follow these tips to make sure you'll be able to take the wheel at your destination. 4. Go online for details. We always book our rental car in advance. Gary Coughlan Customer Service Supervisor (Social Media) explains: There is no way for us to prove if the customer holds a licence for longer than 1 year, as DVLA has no Information and the customer don't have their old licence and like Avis we would review if the scenario presented itself. AVIS on the other hand has no specific document requirement, but deals with the driving license approval on individual basis at the local car hire office. Tick the ‘I agree’ box and click ‘View now’. You’ll be glad to hear that you can rent a car in the US with your UK licence. If you’re renting a hire car within the EU, you do not need a green card. Putting the wrong type of fuel in the tank can cause damage that you may be liable for. UK drivers: hiring a car in Europe after Brexit. In some cases it’s also a requirement that the license for driving a hire car is issued by the main driver’s country of residence. We always book our rental car in advance. So for instance, if a Spanish or Polish drivers license has been held for several years, only the issue date of the UK replacement licence will appear, as the DVLA currently cannot transfer seniority from any foreign licences to a UK license. To hire and drive a Getaround vehicle in the UK with a foreign licence, the driver must first meet all our rental conditions. Before you travel abroad, make sure your driving licence is still valid. During the planning phase of the trip, Tim checks the rates for the major companies and chooses the one with the best price. Car seat laws in USA do not recognise European safety standards and so bringing your European car seat from the UK will mean your child is not legally strapped in correctly by US law. Renters with licenses … All overseas renters require a passport as well as a driving license; The driving license must have been issued by authorized authorities at least 12 months before the date of the commencement of the rental. You do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP). You may have heard that you need a ‘green card’ to show that you’re insured to drive in the EU. Find out more about the car rental payment methods which are accepted by Europcar, the number one car rental company in Europe. If you are planning to rent a car in United Kingdom, you will need to present a driver's licence that is currently valid in your home country and must meet specific driver's licence requirements before being permitted to drive. At Holiday Autos , our easy to use website allows you to compare prices from 1,500 suppliers before you go, both major international firms and local independent companies, so you know we will find the right deal for you. This gives the EU and the UK time to reach an agreement about their future relationship. Almost every UK petrol station is self-serve, so make sure to pay attention. Can I drive a hire car across the border in Ireland? Visitors to the UK must have held a full driving licence for more than 12 months and the correct entitlement to drive the desired group of car. Rentalcars.com is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel & related services. Renting a Car in Europe #1 Choosing a Company. Find out which one your rental car uses so you select the correct pump when you refuel. This isn’t a ‘Brexit thing’… it’s the way it’s always been. In Europe it’s best to use a hire company that’s a member of the European car rental conciliation service scheme (ECRCS). Zadar Airport, Zagreb Airport and Dubrovnik Airport) a 2 year requirement for holding a drivers license for car hire is the most common. Europcar provides car hire in UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. You can have only one EU driving licence at any one time. Whether you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. All UK drivers must have held their full driving licence for at least 12 months before they are able to rent a car from any company in the UK. Bringing your car to the UK. UK licence holders need to present the photo card . The renter and the driver have to be in possession of a valid driving license for at least 1 year in the United Kingdom. Visit www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence and click ‘Start now’. If you feel uncomfortable about the car, or if you discover a defect, exchange it as soon as possible. As of August 2012, there is no set industry standard for what documentation is required from the main driver to prove any additional period for which a foreign licence may have been held prior to obtaining a new UK license. There are no specific EU rules on hiring cars, but you still benefit from your basic consumer rights when you rent a car in another EU country. On the Cartrawler booking confirmation, full contact details of the local hire car company will be clearly highlighted. All drivers must present a full valid driving license. The major rental car companies in Europe are Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt. the right to a fair contract. An Auto Europe car rental in the United Kingdom will allow you to discover all the magical things just waiting to be discovered! Record Go complaints soar – rental car company in Spain best avoided – see contact details, Cheaper car rental - take advantage of sales and car hire discounts, Avis Portugal goes eco-friendly with Toyota Hybrid cars, Hire a Ford Mustang – Road trip and Convertible car hire USA, Car hire with newly issued UK drivers license - How to qualify for car hire, Cartrawler car hire sale - up to 20% discount on car rental in chosen destinations worldwide, Driving in Poland – tips and advice on self-driven holidays in Poland, Frequently asked questions about car hire. Jargon buster. Convenient car hire locations also mean that you can pick up your car in one location and drop it off in another at the end of your trip. It takes extra time to price out five companies, but prices can vary widely depending on … Find out which one your rental car uses so you select the correct pump when you refuel. 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