Are there age restrictions for older rental car drivers?

Important facts described briefly below:

Depending on the country and provider, there may be various restrictions on car rental for older drivers. In Ireland, for example, drivers aged 75 and over require proof of their fitness to drive, while in France and the Balearic Islands, they often have to pay a surcharge. Find out here what you need to consider when booking a rental car.

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What should rental car drivers know about age limits?

Besides the minimum age of 21 years of age (with some exceptions depending on country and provider), there is often also an age limit for rental car drivers. Older drivers may not be able to rent. In some cases, an additional fee is charged, or seniors must present a certificate. However, the regulations differ from country to country and from provider to provider. You can check the rental conditions during the booking process to see if there are any restrictions for your chosen vehicle. Please indicate the age of the main driver when searching for a rental car so that our search engine can find the most suitable offers for you.

Do older drivers have to do a driving aptitude test to rent a car?

If you want to book a rental car at an older age, you will be confronted with different regulations. Countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, for example, have introduced a driving aptitude test for older drivers. In Germany, such a health check is not yet mandatory. Even though there are no legal guidelines regarding the booking of rental cars for older drivers, some car rental companies set their own age limits or require senior citizens to provide separate proof of their fitness to drive.

Are there special fees for older drivers of rental cars?

In addition to a maximum rental car driver age, it is possible in certain countries that seniors may have to pay higher fees for a rental car. In France and on the Balearic Islands, it is common for some rental companies to charge an additional fee for drivers over 70 or 75 years of age. Also, in South Africa, some companies rent cars to drivers aged 70 and over only for an additional fee. In some cases, senior citizens can choose additional insurance instead of an additional fee. You pay the surcharge directly to the local car rental company.

In which countries are there restrictions for older rental car drivers?

Each country has different age restrictions for driving a rental car. Older drivers should, therefore, inform themselves about the regulations at their destination before traveling. Although most restrictions apply to younger drivers, seniors may also be affected. You can find out which regulations apply at your travel destination from the booking information and rental conditions when you make your reservation.

In Ireland, for example, special conditions apply to senior citizens who wish to book a rental car. If you are 75 years or older, you will usually only receive a rental car if you can prove that you have been accident-free for the last four years and have passed a health check. If you are unable to present proof of your driving ability, you will not be given a vehicle on-site.

How can I book a rental car despite exceeding an age limit?

With most of our partners, and at most travel destinations, you do not have to worry about your age. If your preferred provider has set a maximum age limit and you exceed this limit, you can often switch to another car rental company.

In some cases, changing the vehicle category will also be successful. Some rental companies set separate age limits for luxury and special vehicles. In our experience, the smallest age-related restrictions are for small and compact cars. Our customer service will be happy to advise you on which providers rent cars to older drivers.