How long do I need to have held my driver’s license to rent a car?
Most rental suppliers require that you have held a full, valid driver’s license for at least 1 year before your rental starts.
For certain car categories—such as luxury vehicles or large SUVs—the requirement may increase to have held it for 2 years or more.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Look at the “Date of Issue” on your physical driver’s license. It should be at least a full 12 months before your pick-up date.
When suppliers say a license must be “valid,” they mean it must be unexpired and meet the minimum tenure requirement.
You need a Full License.
Provisional, learner, or restricted licenses aren’t accepted.
On the search page or your voucher, click “Rental Conditions” and check “Driver Requirements” for the exact number of years required by that supplier.
If you recently renewed or replaced your license and the new card shows an issue date of less than a year, bring physical proof of your driving history, like your previous license or a printed, official driving record.
"I am 25 years old and paid the Young Driver Fee, so I can rent a car even though I just got my license 6 months ago."
Age and license tenure are separate requirements. Paying a Young Driver Fee doesn’t substitute for the required driving experience—you must meet both.
"My new license is only 2 months old, but I have a government app on my phone that proves I've been driving for 10 years."
Rental suppliers generally do not accept digital apps or phone screenshots as proof of driving history. You should bring either a physical previous license or a printed, officially issued driving record.
The rental agent will use these documents to verify your experience based on the date printed on your current license.
"I have a Learner's Permit, but my partner has a full license and will sit right next to me."
Rental cars cannot be driven with a Learner’s Permit under any circumstances.
The Main Driver who signs the rental contract must hold a full, valid driver’s license.
💡 Did You Know?
If your license uses a non-Roman alphabet (such as Cyrillic, Arabic, or Chinese), simply having it for 10 years is not sufficient. You will likely also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to provide a translated version of your license and verify your driving experience to the rental agent.
What To Do Next:
Check the “Rental Conditions” on your voucher for your supplier’s exact rules.
If your current physical license was issued less than a year ago and you don’t have printed proof of your driving history, contact our support team—we’ll help you find a smooth solution!
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