Can I rent a car in Ireland/UK when I hold only a provisional driver's license from Ireland?

Question

I want to rent a luxury car for my 21st birthday weekend. My origin is Dublin, destination Manchester. If not permitted to take it on the ferry, I would rent one in Manchester... What is the UK policy? Cant find it on the web. Thanks.

Answer 1

There's no rules per se because each car hire company sets it's own rules and regulations. You may find one company that permits something but another one that doesn't.

One thing I think it's safe to say in respect of all rental companies is that they'll require you to have a full drivers license. A lot of companies require a license to have been held for a minimum number of years, typically 1, 3 or 5. Also, many companies have minimum age limits which are sometimes as high as 25.

I very much doubt you'll find a rental company prepared to rent you a vehicle but... as I say, they all have their own rules so you may just hit lucky.

I think you'll have to settle for renting a vehicle complete with driver or relying on taxis and the like.

As for renting a vehicle in Irland and bringing it to the UK - again, check with the rental company. Here in the UK there's companies that won't even let you take a vehicle off the British Mainland (e.g. the Scottish Islands) but most of the big rental companies allow overseas travel - just make sure you tell them when booking.

Answer 2

A.9. What kind of Driver's License do I need?

All drivers must present a full Driver's License issued by your country of residence. A Provisional, Graduated or Learner license is not acceptable. The license, held for a minimum of one year, must be valid at the time of rental and remain valid throughout the rental period.
If your driver's license is not in English or French, you should bring with you an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is written in 10 languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your local driver's license. Your IDP must always be accompanied by your valid local driver's license.
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hope this helps you!