Car Rental in Ireland Over 70: Myths & Facts

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What is the maximum age to rent a car in Ireland?

I receive a lot of questions about renting a car in Ireland when you're over 70. While there may be additional requirement for those 75+ let me be very clear: you can rent a car in Ireland if you are over 70.

Here are all the facts on Ireland car rental age restrictions, additional requirements, and information straight from the car rental agencies themselves about their senior car rental policies in Ireland.

Renting a Car in Ireland if You are 70 or Older

Car Rental in Ireland over 70 MYTH

It is illegal to rent a car in Ireland if you are over 70.

This just isn't true. Most car rental companies in Ireland will rent to drivers up to age 75 without any additional restrictions. And a few have no age limit for car rental in Ireland.

Car Rental Age Restrictions in Ireland

Let's first begin with the age policies. Drivers under the age of 25 years may have difficulty renting a car in Ireland because they do not meet the requirement most car rental companies hold for license eligibility.

A driver must have been eligible to hold a driving license (but does not have to have held a license) for a minimum of 8 years before they can legally rent a car. For driving licenses issued in the US and Canada the minimum is 9 years.

Larger vehicles, including vans and ‘people carriers', require an additional 3 years of license eligibility to rent and drive in Ireland.

Currently Sixt is the only rental company I have found that will provide Ireland car rental to ages 21- 24 for an additional surcharge.

Requirements for Ireland Car Rental Over 75

Most car rental companies will allow you to rent a car when you are 75 and older, but there are a few pieces of information you must provide, often in advance of your rental.

Below I share the facts from Ireland car rental websites on their policies for drivers over 70.

Irish Car Rentals policy for drivers 75 and older

Irish Car Rentals has no limitations for drivers aged 75 +. All you need is a valid drivers license. No paperwork, medical information, or insurance letter required.
Tip: use my exclusive link to save 10% **

Auto Europe offers car rental from multiple companies.

When you visit the site un-check the box at the bottom of the form that states ‘Driver age 25-69' and input your age. Available companies will appear for you to choose from.

My Irish Cousin has no upper age limit for rentals.

All you need is a valid drivers license. No paperwork, medical information, or insurance letter required.
Rental rates at My Irish Cousin are inclusive of insurance including Super Collision Damage, tyres, and breakdown.

Hertz Senior Policy for ages 75+

Senior Driver Policy: Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions
-You must drive on a regular basis;
-You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you and that you are currently driving;
-You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health.

Sixt Senior Policy for those 75 and older

Drivers over 75 must provide a medical certificate confirming that they are medically fit to drive a vehicle. These documents should be dated within three months of your pick-up date and should be printed and presented at the rental counter upon commencement of your rental for verification. If these documents cannot be presented, it will not be possible to rent with Sixt and any deposit or fees paid in advance will be forfeited.
Note: May also do business as County Car Rentals

Alamo Senior Driver Policy

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on any Alamo car rental websites. I would caution you that this does not mean there aren't requirements and I would email the or call the rental location directly prior to your travels.

Avis Senior Driver Policy

Any renter aged 76 years and over are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions:
– Confirm that they driver on a regular basis.
– Provide a letter from their insurance company confirming that they have an up to date insurance policy, and have not had any accidents in the past 5 years.
– Provide a letter from their doctor confirming that you are in good health and fit to drive.
– The rental agent may ask to sit in the car and assess their driving.

Enterprise Senior Driver Policy

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on any Enterprise car rental websites. I would caution you that this does not mean there aren't requirements and I would email or call the rental location directly prior to your travels.

My Irish Cousin partners with Enterprise so this could indicate that there are no special requirements.

Traveler report July 18, 2023: Reader called Enterprise in Dublin and were told there is no upper age limit.

Dan Dooley Car Rental

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on the Dan Dooley car rental websites. I would caution you that this does not mean there aren't requirements and I would email or call the rental location directly prior to your travels. Please remember also that Dan Dooley is now owned by Enterprise Car Rental.

Europcar Senior Driver Policy age 75 and older

Europcar requires documentation for drivers 75 and older including a letter from your insurance company and medical proof that you are in good health.

Budget Senior Driver Policy

Customers aged 76 years and over are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions:
– They must drive regularly
– They must provide us with a letter from their insurance company proving that they hold a current motor insurance policy and that they have been driving without having an accident for the last 5 years.
– They must provide us with a letter from their doctor stating that they are in good health.
– They may be required to undergo a driving assessment accompanied with a Budget representative.

Thrifty Senior Driver Policy age 75 and older

Customers over 75 years are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions:
-You must drive on a regular basis;
-You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you and that you are currently driving;
-You will need to provide to the counter a letter from your insurance company to state that you have not had an accident within the last 5 years, that you hold a current policy of motor insurance with you and that you are currently driving;
-You will need to provide a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health.
Note: this is one I really had to dig for. Be sure you check all terms & conditions before renting!

Dollar Senior Driver Policy age 75 and older

Renters over 75 years of age are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions: renter must drive on a regular basis and provide to the counter a letter from renter's insurance company to state accident free within the last 5 years, also that renter holds current policy of motor insurance and currently driving. A current letter from renter's doctor to state renter is in good health must also be provided.
Note: Rentals are serviced by Hertz.

Traveler Report July 18, 2023: Reader called Dollar Car Rental in Dublin and was told that they do not rent to anyone over 75. Period.

National Senior Driver Policy

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on The National car rental Ireland website. I would caution you that this does not mean there aren't requirements and I would email or call the rental location directly prior to your travels.

CarHire.ie Senior Driver Policy age 75 and Older

I was unable to find a senior driver policy on the Europcar website.

As Europcar owns Irish CarHire.ie & Irish Car Rentals there may be no special requirements for ages 75+, though I can not guarantee this is the case.

Great Island (GI) Car Rentals

Age limitations: minimum age 25- maximum age 75 years

How to Rent a Car in Ireland

Now that you know the senior driver policies for car rental companies in Ireland it's time to dig into the actual car rental.

In my article Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland I walk you through the 8 steps you should follow when renting a car in Ireland.

8 Steps to Car Rental in Ireland

• Step #1: Arrival & Departure Dates & Locations
• Step #2: Do You Need a Car for Your Entire Trip?
• Step #3: Choose a Car Rental Company
• Step #4: Choose the Car Type
• Step #5: Get those Ireland Car Rental Quotes
• Step #6: Check – and Double Check- Those Car Rental Insurance Options
• Step #7: Make Your Irish Car Rental Reservation
• Step #8: Tips for Picking Up, Driving, and Returning the Car

I encourage you to read the article- especially step #6- so you aren't caught by surprise by any policies or requirements.

Do you have any Ireland car rental questions that need answered?

Leave a comment below, or email me – [email protected] – I always reply!

** The 10% discount is only applicable to certain car classes; the mini & economy classes are excluded.

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