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 70+ 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
Ireland Car Rental 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.
If you are over age 75 and want to rent a car in Ireland there are a few requirements, but they are relatively easy to fulfill.
Car Rental Age Restrictions in Ireland
Let's first begin with the age policies. Drivers under the age of 25 years can not rent a car in Ireland because they do not meet the requirement most car rental companies hold for licence eligibility, which is 8 years.
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 70
Most car rental companies will allow you to rent a car when you are 70 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
Drivers aged 75 and over will need to provide a PRINTED medical certificate which states that they are fit to drive and a letter from their insurance company stating that they are currently driving and have not had an accident within the last 5 years. This information must be received at least 5 working days in advance of your rental.
Tip: use code IFV in promotions box 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.
Hertz has a maximum driver age of 79.
Senior Driver Policy: Any renter aged75 -79 years require the following to be sent to opcalls within 30 days of pick up, documents must also be dated within this same time frame. If documents are sent outside of that time they will not be accepted:-
– 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 for one year and fit to drive.
– The rental agent may ask to sit in the car and assess their driving.
Sixt Senior Policy for those 75 and older
Drivers age 75 and over are required to provide a current note from their doctor (legible and in English) stating that they are in full health and a current note from their insurer stating that they have not been involved in any accidents in the past 5 year(s). A driving assessment with a supplier representative may be required.
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 75 years and over require the following to be sent to us prior to pick up:
– 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.
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
Drivers aged 75 and over need to provide a PRINTED medical certificate/letter which states that they are fit to drive and a letter from their insurance company stating that they are currently driving and have not had an accident within the last 5 years. This information must be received at least 5 working days in advance of your rental.
Note: I really had to dig for this information which is why I caution that just because requirements are shown doesn't mean they don't exist.
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 another 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.
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
Drivers aged 75 and over will need to provide a PRINTED medical certificate which states that they are fit to drive and a letter from their insurance company stating that they are currently driving and have not had an accident within the last 5 years. This information must be received at least 5 working days in advance of your rental.
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!
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My husband(age77) and I(age70) are planning a trip to Ireland. Can I rent a car from Hertz, adding my husband as a driver, without him having to provide an insurance letter and drivers and doctor note?
Also, we thought we might rent a car directly through a car dealership, making it not mandatory for those over 75 documents.
I am not sure I can get excess insurance for the rental, though, if going through the Toyota dealership rental.
Thanks for the advice in advance.
Even if your husband is only an additional driver he would have to provide all the relevant paperwork.
Unfortunately I can’t advise on rentals from the Toyota dealerships in Ireland. It’s not something I have experience with. Your best option is to email [email protected] to make inquiries. It is likely, however, that their rentals will have the same limits as all other rental car agencies as many of these limits are in place under national safety laws.
Another option you might consider is GoCar.ie.
Safe travels.
Hi, we have frequently booked a car rental for a week or 10 days, in advance of our arrival in Ireland, but have never rented for a half day, or day, like Zip Cars here in the States. We want to pick a friend up at the airport when they arrive but don’t need a car for more than maybe 24 hours. Is there something like Zip cars in Ireland, Dublin area specifically, where a U.S. citizen can rent a car reasonably priced, for a day or half a day?
Thanks!
If you wish to rent a car for a full day be sure to check IrishCarRentals.com and use code IFV to save 10%.
If you are looking for a shorter term rental check out GoCar.ie .
Thank you for this, my husband forgot his licence and my father is 75. We thought we couldn’t rent a car but on finding this article I contacted Enterprise and they confirmed there were no additional requirements 🙂
I’m so glad you found the article and it was helpful!!
[…] Is car rental included? If so be aware that in most cases you will have to pay for insurance upon arrival in Ireland. Read: Everything You Need to Know About Car Rental in Ireland with special attention to step #6 and Car Rental In Ireland Over 70 […]
[…] 70? You CAN rent a car but not all companies have the same senior rental policies. Read this article to learn policies for each […]
My husband is 78 years wants to rent a car at Dublin airport .what car rental company would you suggest ?We are from Ireland but the age for rental is a little confusing.
Hi Noreen. IrishCarRentals.com is very straightforward and easy to work with. Don’t forget to use code IFV for your savings!