What documents do I need to rent a car abroad?
To rent a car abroad you need your full driving license, passport, the booking reference, often an International Driving Permit, and a card in the driver's name for the security hold.
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What the rental desk asks for
Rental desks are consistent about the basics whatever the country. Have these ready when you land, especially if you booked a trip1 stay some distance from the airport and want to get on the road quickly.
- Your full driving license, the physical card rather than a photo of it. Provisional licenses are not accepted and most companies want the license held for one to two years.
- An International Driving Permit where the country requires one alongside your license.
- Your passport or national ID card as photo identification, which many companies keep a copy of.
- The booking voucher or reservation number, printed or on your phone.
- A payment card in the main driver's name for the security deposit hold.
Anyone who will drive has to show their own license and be added to the rental agreement. An unlisted driver behind the wheel usually voids the insurance completely.
Do you need an International Driving Permit?
It depends entirely on the country you are driving in, not on where your license was issued. An IDP is a standardised translation of your license and it only works when you carry the original license with it.
Japan and Greece are among the countries that require one from many foreign license holders, while most of the EU accepts an EU or UK license on its own. Get the IDP in the country that issued your license, before you leave, because no one can issue you a valid one once you have arrived.
For the full picture on which countries require one and how to apply, see our guide on whether you need an International Driving Permit.
Age limits and young driver fees
Minimum age is set by the rental company as well as by law, and 21 is common. Larger vehicles, vans and premium categories often start at 23 or 25, and some companies will not rent them to a younger driver at any price.
Drivers under 25 usually pay a daily young driver surcharge on top of the rental rate. Some countries and companies also apply a maximum age or ask for a medical declaration above a certain age, so read the supplier's terms on their own booking page before you commit.
The security hold
Rental companies place a security deposit hold on a payment card in the main driver's name. This is the rental company's own requirement, set by them to cover damage, missing fuel and traffic fines, and it has nothing to do with how you paid for your trip1 hotel booking.
The amount varies with the vehicle and the excess you chose, and it is released after the car comes back, which can take several working days. Many suppliers refuse debit cards, prepaid cards and cash for the hold entirely, so check the specific supplier's terms rather than assuming.
Important: If the name on the card does not exactly match the name on the driving license, the desk can refuse the rental, and at that point the booking is often non-refundable. Check the spelling on both before you travel.
Insurance and cross-border paperwork
The rental includes basic cover with an excess you are liable for. If you bought a separate excess policy, bring the printed policy document, because the desk will still place the full hold and you claim the excess back from your own insurer afterwards.
Taking a rental car across a border usually needs written permission from the rental company and a green card or equivalent insurance document. Ask before you book if a cross-border drive is part of the plan, since some suppliers simply do not allow it.
Renting a car abroad - FAQ
Your full physical driving license, usually held for one to two years, your passport or national ID card, and the booking voucher or reservation number. You also need a payment card in the main driver's name for the security deposit, and an International Driving Permit in countries that require one alongside your license.
Yes. Bring your US driver's license, your passport and a credit card in the main driver's name. Some European countries also expect an International Driving Permit alongside your license, which you must get from AAA or AATA before you leave. Check the rental supplier's terms for minimum age and how long you must have held your license.
It depends on the country you drive in, not where your license was issued. Japan, for example, requires one from most foreign license holders, while most of the EU accepts an EU or UK license on its own. US license holders get the permit from AAA or AATA before leaving, and must carry it with their license.
Usually, yes. Rental companies place a security deposit hold on a card in the main driver's name to cover damage, fuel and fines, and many refuse debit cards, prepaid cards and cash. The hold is released after you return the car, which can take several working days. Check the supplier's terms before you book.
Usually at least 21, though larger cars, vans and premium models often start at 23 or 25. Drivers under 25 normally pay a daily young driver surcharge, and some companies set a maximum age or ask older drivers for a medical declaration. Read the supplier's terms before you commit.
The most common problems are a provisional license, a license held for too short a time, being under the minimum age, a missing International Driving Permit where one is required, or a payment card that is not in the main driver's name. A name on the card that does not exactly match the license can also get you refused.