Will my drivering license be accepted?

It’s important to check which driving documents are accepted before renting a car, whether you are renting at home or abroad.

If you’re renting abroad

Depending on where your driving license was issued and where you are renting, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified translation of your driving license. 
Check the rental conditions for your specific offer to see which documents are required.

If you’ve had your driver’s license for less than 3 years

Check the rental conditions for the minimum driving experience required for your chosen car category. Driving experience is counted from the date your license was first issued. The requirement varies by supplier and by car category. Many offers require at least one year of driving experience, while some may require two or three years. Certain premium categories may require even more, up to 7 years.

You can find the exact driver requirements for your booking in the rental conditions.

If you have a paper driving license

If your country has replaced paper driver’s licenses with plastic cards, as in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, we recommend getting a plastic card license before your rental.

Car rental suppliers may refuse to accept old-style (paper) licences from these countries, even if they are still legally valid in the issuing country. Having an International Driving Permit (IDP) does not guarantee acceptance.

Exception: This may be different in countries where paper driving licenses are still officially issued, such as Brazil.

If you are a UK driver

You may need to generate a DVLA Check code so the supplier can verify your driving record. Check your booking voucher and rental conditions to confirm whether this is required for your booking.

Driving Licences that are NOT accepted

Digital versions of driving licences, photocopies, as well as provisional, probationary and learner licences are not accepted as substitutes for the required original physical driving licence. 

Some car rental companies may also refuse to accept a military-issued driving licence or permits, even if they authorise the holder to drive military vehicles.