By Rick Steves
Every country has its own take on who can rent/drive a car. Follow these tips to make sure you'll be able to take the wheel at your destination.
Passports, Driver's Licenses, and International Driving Permits
If you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an official translation of your US license (making it easier for a local police officer to write out a ticket). Anyone can get an IDP from the American Automobile Association or Canadian Automobile Association ($20 in the US, requires two passport photos). AAA is authorized by the US State Department to issue permits; avoid scam artists peddling overpriced, fake international licenses.
You may hear contradictory information on exactly where you need an IDP. People who sell them say you should have them almost everywhere. People who rent cars say you need them almost nowhere. People who drive rental cars say the IDP is overrated, but can come in handy as a complement to your passport and driver's license. It's a good idea to get one if you'll be driving in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, or Spain — countries where you're technically required to carry a permit. If all goes well, you'll likely never be asked to show it — but the permit is a must if you end up dealing with the police.
Age Limits
Minimum and maximum age limits for renting a car vary by country, type of car, and rental company. Younger renters can get stuck with extra costs, such as being required to buy extra insurance or pay a surcharge of $15–40 per day (fortunately, there are usually maximum surcharge limits). Many companies will not rent a car to someone under age 21 (with some exceptions, depending on the country and type of car), but those who are at least 25 years old should have no problem.
Drivers over age 70 may have trouble renting in the Croatia, the United Kingdom, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Turkey; drivers over 75 may have trouble in Greece and the Republic of Ireland (though in Ireland, some rental companies will rent to those over 75 if they provide extensive proof of good health and safe driving). If you're considered too young or too old, leasing could be an option. Leasing has less stringent age restrictions but isn't available in all countries.
Crossing Borders
Your car comes with the paperwork you need to drive wherever you like throughout most of Europe (always check when booking). But if you're heading to a country in the far eastern or southeastern parts of Europe, especially one that has closed borders (such as Bosnia-Herzegovina or Montenegro), you may need to pay extra for the rental itself and/or for additional insurance. State your travel plans up front to the rental company when you book. Some companies may have limits on eastward excursions because of the higher incidence of car thefts (for example, you can only take cheaper cars, and you may have to pay extra insurance fees).
When you cross these borders, you may be asked to show proof of insurance (called a "green card"). Ask your car-rental company if you need any other documentation for crossing the borders on your itinerary. It's a bad idea to take your rental car anywhere that's prohibited by your contract, as doing so voids any insurance coverage.
If you want to drive on the Continent as well as in Britain and/or Ireland, it's probably cheaper to rent separate cars, thanks to the high cost of taking cars on ferries or the Eurotunnel car train. Some companies allow you to take a rental car from Britain to the Continent or to Ireland, but be prepared to pay high surcharges and extra drop-off fees.
FAQs
No, your U.S. car insurance doesn't protect you while driving in Europe. Your rental car fee should include any liability insurance required by the country you're visiting. But you'll need to get extra coverage to avoid paying for damage to your rental car that you cause.
Can I rent a car in Europe as an American? ›
If you're American or Canadian, your passport and driver's license are all you need in most European countries. However, some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is an official translation of your US license (making it easier for a local police officer to write out a ticket).
Can you cross the border with a rental car in Europe? ›
Can I take my rental into another country? In Europe, car hire companies typically allow renters to drive their vehicles across international borders into neighbouring countries. However, you may have to pay a cross border fee in order to drive the car abroad.
Can you rent a car in Europe if you are over 75? ›
Car Rental Abroad over 75 Years of Age
In most of Europe, there is no car rental age limit for drivers over the age of 65. Germany, France, Spain and the United Kingdom all have all car rental over 80 years old. In parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia there are restrictions or surcharges for senior drivers.
Does US car insurance cover you in Europe? ›
International Auto Insurance
In general, your U.S. car insurance will not cover you while you are abroad (but, some policies may cover you if you are traveling to Canada or Mexico). Even if your insurance is valid, it may not meet that country's minimum requirements.
Does my Visa credit card cover rental car insurance in Europe? ›
Your Visa card rental car insurance will have you covered in most European countries for a period of up to 31 days and includes coverage for most common vehicle models and classes.
Is it cheaper to rent a car from an airport or a local location? ›
Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport — and how much do you really save by booking an off-airport car rental? Are airport rental cars more expensive? Turns out, it's about 26% more expensive to rent a car at the airport versus at its downtown counterpart.
Do I need international driving permit to rent car Europe? ›
Though an International Driver's Permit (IDP) is not always necessary to drive or rent a car in Europe, it definitely provides peace-of-mind and can be helpful in a number of situations: a routine traffic stop, if you get pulled over, or if there is an accident.
Can I drive a car in Europe with an American license? ›
If you have a valid license from your home state, you can drive in European countries for up to 90 days without further documentation. However, once you have spent more than 90 days in Europe and wish to continue driving there, it is recommended that you get an International Driver's License (IDL).
Is it good idea to rent a car to travel to Europe? ›
The mobility of a car lets you find cheaper accommodations in small towns and away from the train lines. You can also play it riskier, arriving in a town with no reservation — if the hotels are full, simply drive to the next town. And driving is a godsend for those who don't believe in packing light.
Getting from France to another country is easy with a one-way rental from SIXT. With our suggested routes below, you can find your way from France to the UK, to Spain, or to Italy.
Can I take my rental car to Europe? ›
Yes, you are able to use your hire car across Europe – particularly important if you are planning an extended holiday. Please inform us when you book if you plan to drive your hire car in a different country to the one where you pick it up. You will need to pay a small fee to use your car in multiple countries.
At what age can you no longer rent a car in Europe? ›
The minimum age for renting a car in Europe varies between 18 and 21 depending on the country. In the UK for example, the minimum age is set to 21, with some companies such as Enterprise UK even requiring renters to be at least 25 years old. Most European countries do not have a maximum age for car rental.
Can an 82 year old rent a car in France? ›
France. Car rental age in France is at minimum 18, but some suppliers may set their minimum at 21-23. There are no maximum age limits, but extra fees for young drivers in France are very expensive and are anywhere from €30 - €40 per day.
Can a 75 year old rent a car in Italy? ›
Generally, rental car companies in Italy require you to be 21 or over and no older than the maximum age (usually 70-75 years). All drivers must present a valid driver's license, an ID as proof of their identity, and a credit card to make the payment.
Can I use my car insurance for rental overseas? ›
Does car insurance cover international rentals? Most U.S. auto insurers won't cover you while driving abroad, except for driving in Canada and driving in Mexico. Unless you have a credit card offering rental car insurance, you'll probably need to purchase your insurance from the rental company.
Is it worth it to get CDW? ›
A CDW may also be worth considering if you: Simply want to be sure you're not responsible for any extra charges due to vehicle damage. Don't want the hassle of identifying coverage gaps in your auto insurance and credit card coverage.
Does travel insurance cover rental cars? ›
While not all travel insurance plans have coverage for car rentals, some comprehensive travel insurance plans have an add-on option for rental car collision coverage, if the rental car is damaged in an accident.
Is liability insurance included in car rental in Spain? ›
In Spain, unlimited third party liability insurance is legally required on all rental vehicles, and, fortunately for you, this is included in the price of all car rentals when you book with Auto Europe.
