Renting a Car in Ireland Over 75: Everything You Need to Know

Can You Rent a Car Over the Age of 75 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 75.

This complete guide covers Ireland's car rental age restrictions, additional documentation you may need, insurance requirements, and the senior driver policies for the major car rental companies in Ireland, using information provided directly by the rental agencies.

If you're comparing companies, keep reading to see how their policies differ.

Or you can use my preferred rental company, Irish Car Rentals, which has no age restrictions. Use my exclusive link to save 10%.

Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Ireland if You are 75 or Older

Can You Rent a Car in Ireland if You Are Over 75?

Yes, you can rent a car in Ireland if you are over 75.

It is not illegal, and there is no national law that prevents older travelers from renting a vehicle. What you do need to watch for are the policies set by each rental company.

Many car rental companies in Ireland rent to drivers up to age 75 without additional requirements. Some will rent to drivers over 75 with extra documentation, and a few have no upper age limit at all.

That’s why it’s important to compare policies before you book, especially if you are 75 or older.

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

Unlike many countries, Ireland does not have a legal maximum age for renting a car. Instead, each rental company sets its own upper age limit and any additional requirements for older drivers.

Most rental companies allow drivers to rent without additional requirements until age 75. After that, you may be asked to provide extra documentation, such as a letter from your physician stating you are fit to drive or a letter from your insurance company confirming you have not had an at-fault accident in recent years. The exact requirements vary by company, which is why I've included a comparison later in this guide.

It's also worth noting that Ireland has minimum age and driving experience requirements.

Most rental companies require drivers to have been eligible to hold a driving license for at least 8 years, though drivers with licenses issued in the United States and Canada typically need 9 years of eligibility. (You do not need to have held the license continuously, only have been eligible to hold it.)

Larger vehicles, including vans and people carriers, generally require an additional three years of licence eligibility.

Currently, Sixt and Irish Car Rentals are the only rental company I've found that rents to drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, though a young driver surcharge applies. (€38 with Sixt and €30 with Irish Car Rentals, per day.)

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 75.

Car Rental Age Restrictions in Ireland

Irish Car Rentals policy for drivers 75 and older

Irish Car Rentals has no listed restrictions 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. Hit ‘search'. Available companies will appear for you to choose from.

Discover Cars also offers car rentals from multiple companies.

In the search box choose your age – it's under the drop off information next to the blue information dot. Hit ‘search'. Available vehicles will appear for you to choose from. Rental rates are inclusive of CDW but not excess coverage.

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, cross-border fees, 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 for the last 12 months.

Conn's Ireland Car Rental Senior Policy for ages 75+

Conn's car rental uses Hertz vehicles and follows Hertz senior policies.

Conn's offers fully inclusive car rental. The upward age for renting a car for the Fully Inclusive Rate with NO deductible is 79 years.

Sixt Senior Policy for those 75 and older

Drivers over 75 must also produce a medical certificate confirming that they are medically fit to drive. 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.

Alamo Senior Driver Policy

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on any Alamo car rental websites. The only mention I could find regarding upper age requirements is this:
For Car Hire Outside of North America
The minimum age to rent a car in the UK is 25. In Europe the age policy varies by country and vehicle hired. At time of checking for rates or placing a reservation, please ensure you enter your correct age. 
This does not mean there are no senior age requirements, just that I could not locate any after a thorough check through the Alamo.ie website.

Avis Senior Driver Policy

Customers over 76 years 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 an Avis representative.

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.

NewWay

NewWay is operated by Avis Budget Ireland (according to their privacy policy) and follows the same senior driver policy as Avis.

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 March 15, 2025: Reader confirmed with Enterprise in Dublin that there is currently no upper age limit on car rentals.

Dan Dooley Car Rental

Dan Dooley is now owned by Enterprise Car Rental and follows all Enterprise rules and regulations.

Europcar Senior Driver Policy age 75 and older

There is no mention of special requirements for seniors on Europcar's Ireland T&C page.

Traveler report March 2026: Europcar have told us they have changed their policy recently and we have now rented two cars from them without any extra paperwork. My husband is 77. 

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 a current letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health.

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; you will pick up your keys from the Hertz counter.

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 CarHire.ie website.

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

Great Island (GI) Car Rentals

This is a Cork based company with locations in County Cork. 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 Renting a Car & Driving in Ireland resource you'll find answers to all of your car rental & Ireland driving questions.

From 8 Steps to Rent a Car in Ireland to the Ireland Car Rental Tips video series, you'll find the answers to all your questions.
And if you don't, just leave a comment below, or email me – jody@irelandfamilyvacations.com – I always reply!