Can I rent a car in the UK with a new driving license less than one year old?
I'm a UK citizen visiting the UK over the Christmas period. If possible, I'd like to rent a car - but I've only had a full UK driver's license for less than a year. I gather that there is no longer a legal requirement that car rental drivers have had a license for more than 12 months, but every car rental company I can find enforces a 12-month minimum anyway.
I understand that as a new license holder I'd be viewed as a riskier customer. I don't mind paying extra.
Is there any UK car rental company who'll accept customers who held their license for less than a year?
I'm well over any age limits (over 25) and have no blemishes on my license. I have another international license, but I've held that for even less time than my UK license.
uk legal driving car-rentals
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
add a comment |
I'm a UK citizen visiting the UK over the Christmas period. If possible, I'd like to rent a car - but I've only had a full UK driver's license for less than a year. I gather that there is no longer a legal requirement that car rental drivers have had a license for more than 12 months, but every car rental company I can find enforces a 12-month minimum anyway.
I understand that as a new license holder I'd be viewed as a riskier customer. I don't mind paying extra.
Is there any UK car rental company who'll accept customers who held their license for less than a year?
I'm well over any age limits (over 25) and have no blemishes on my license. I have another international license, but I've held that for even less time than my UK license.
uk legal driving car-rentals
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
2
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
1
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35
add a comment |
I'm a UK citizen visiting the UK over the Christmas period. If possible, I'd like to rent a car - but I've only had a full UK driver's license for less than a year. I gather that there is no longer a legal requirement that car rental drivers have had a license for more than 12 months, but every car rental company I can find enforces a 12-month minimum anyway.
I understand that as a new license holder I'd be viewed as a riskier customer. I don't mind paying extra.
Is there any UK car rental company who'll accept customers who held their license for less than a year?
I'm well over any age limits (over 25) and have no blemishes on my license. I have another international license, but I've held that for even less time than my UK license.
uk legal driving car-rentals
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
I'm a UK citizen visiting the UK over the Christmas period. If possible, I'd like to rent a car - but I've only had a full UK driver's license for less than a year. I gather that there is no longer a legal requirement that car rental drivers have had a license for more than 12 months, but every car rental company I can find enforces a 12-month minimum anyway.
I understand that as a new license holder I'd be viewed as a riskier customer. I don't mind paying extra.
Is there any UK car rental company who'll accept customers who held their license for less than a year?
I'm well over any age limits (over 25) and have no blemishes on my license. I have another international license, but I've held that for even less time than my UK license.
uk legal driving car-rentals
uk legal driving car-rentals
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
edited Dec 16 '15 at 13:42
JoErNanO♦
43.9k12137224
43.9k12137224
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
asked Dec 5 '15 at 14:31
user568458user568458
10.8k55379
10.8k55379
2
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
1
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35
add a comment |
2
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
1
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35
2
2
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
1
1
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
I've had a friend in a similar situation who has had success with Enterprise. This is what their website says in terms of license requirements:
Documentation- all drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving
license. Non-EU license holders are required to have an international
driving permit if the license is not in English. Domestic renters must
produce a photo ID- passport or driving license. International
travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and
residency information while in the U.K. renters who wish to use a
debit card are also required to produce two proofs of address such as
a bank or credit card statement, which are less than three months old
and may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to
request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include
ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details
against databases to which they have access.
With that being said I would suggest giving them a call before actually booking a car. Their contact details can be found on this page.
If they wind up not working out I would suggest scanning local companies on a website such as Yell. Keep in mind that if you have a license from a different country with an earlier issue date or none at all it's perfectly legal to show that instead.
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
|
show 1 more comment
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I've had a friend in a similar situation who has had success with Enterprise. This is what their website says in terms of license requirements:
Documentation- all drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving
license. Non-EU license holders are required to have an international
driving permit if the license is not in English. Domestic renters must
produce a photo ID- passport or driving license. International
travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and
residency information while in the U.K. renters who wish to use a
debit card are also required to produce two proofs of address such as
a bank or credit card statement, which are less than three months old
and may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to
request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include
ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details
against databases to which they have access.
With that being said I would suggest giving them a call before actually booking a car. Their contact details can be found on this page.
If they wind up not working out I would suggest scanning local companies on a website such as Yell. Keep in mind that if you have a license from a different country with an earlier issue date or none at all it's perfectly legal to show that instead.
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
|
show 1 more comment
I've had a friend in a similar situation who has had success with Enterprise. This is what their website says in terms of license requirements:
Documentation- all drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving
license. Non-EU license holders are required to have an international
driving permit if the license is not in English. Domestic renters must
produce a photo ID- passport or driving license. International
travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and
residency information while in the U.K. renters who wish to use a
debit card are also required to produce two proofs of address such as
a bank or credit card statement, which are less than three months old
and may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to
request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include
ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details
against databases to which they have access.
With that being said I would suggest giving them a call before actually booking a car. Their contact details can be found on this page.
If they wind up not working out I would suggest scanning local companies on a website such as Yell. Keep in mind that if you have a license from a different country with an earlier issue date or none at all it's perfectly legal to show that instead.
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
|
show 1 more comment
I've had a friend in a similar situation who has had success with Enterprise. This is what their website says in terms of license requirements:
Documentation- all drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving
license. Non-EU license holders are required to have an international
driving permit if the license is not in English. Domestic renters must
produce a photo ID- passport or driving license. International
travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and
residency information while in the U.K. renters who wish to use a
debit card are also required to produce two proofs of address such as
a bank or credit card statement, which are less than three months old
and may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to
request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include
ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details
against databases to which they have access.
With that being said I would suggest giving them a call before actually booking a car. Their contact details can be found on this page.
If they wind up not working out I would suggest scanning local companies on a website such as Yell. Keep in mind that if you have a license from a different country with an earlier issue date or none at all it's perfectly legal to show that instead.
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
I've had a friend in a similar situation who has had success with Enterprise. This is what their website says in terms of license requirements:
Documentation- all drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving
license. Non-EU license holders are required to have an international
driving permit if the license is not in English. Domestic renters must
produce a photo ID- passport or driving license. International
travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and
residency information while in the U.K. renters who wish to use a
debit card are also required to produce two proofs of address such as
a bank or credit card statement, which are less than three months old
and may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to
request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include
ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details
against databases to which they have access.
With that being said I would suggest giving them a call before actually booking a car. Their contact details can be found on this page.
If they wind up not working out I would suggest scanning local companies on a website such as Yell. Keep in mind that if you have a license from a different country with an earlier issue date or none at all it's perfectly legal to show that instead.
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
answered Dec 16 '15 at 2:15
James IvesJames Ives
54637
54637
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
|
show 1 more comment
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
3
3
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
+1 I emailed their customer service and it sounds like they are an option: "As long as you are over 25 years old, with Enterprise, it does not matter how long you have held your licence and therefore renting to you will not pose any problems", not actually tried doing it though
– user568458
Dec 16 '15 at 11:22
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
@user568458 Awesome. Glad to hear.
– James Ives
Dec 16 '15 at 15:14
3
3
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
I can confirm that Enterprise certainly allow you to rent a car with a license less than 1 year old, based on me actually doing it last week.
– bPratik
Apr 24 '17 at 17:00
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Shame Enterprise cost like £120 for their cheapest car for a day wtf
– Dominic
Jul 14 '17 at 17:25
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
Enterprise office in Canary Islands (La Gomera) has a different policy (they told me the license must 2 years old). It depends on the country I suppose.
– quant_dev
Jan 15 at 12:17
|
show 1 more comment
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2
If you do not live in the UK and have a driver's license from another country with older issue date, then you can show that along with your UK license...
– Nean Der Thal
Dec 5 '15 at 14:45
1
I've seen rental sites and advice pages that describe what to do if you have an older foreign license. I don't, I just have my 3-month old UK license
– user568458
Dec 15 '15 at 22:03
Even if you find a place offering it, I would really advise against hiring a rental car with very little experience on unfamiliar roads. 1/4 of drivers have an accident within the first two years. Even a small accident can leave you with large excesses to pay.
– JamesRyan
Jun 6 '16 at 23:35