FAQs

UK Driving Licence holder driving in the EU from 1 January 2021

You need to carry your UK driving licence with you. You do not need an international driving permit (IDP) to visit and drive in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have:

  • a paper driving licence
  • a licence that was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

You will not need an IDP to drive when visiting Ireland if you have a UK driving licence.
Check if you need an IDP
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

You can get an IDP over the counter at the Post Office.

UK Driving Licence and Hiring a Vehicle

When collecting a vehicle from a hire company many only ask to see your photocard licence or your pre-31 March 2000 paper licence – but some also want to check whether you have any penalty points. They may ask for a code so that they can check your licence online or for a printout of your licence details.

You can go online to obtain a code to give to your hire company.

Each code is valid for 21 days from the date you obtain it and it can only be used once (to protect your privacy). You can have up to 15 active check codes at any given time.

Where can I find the Rental Terms and Conditions?

Car hire terms and conditions can differ from country to country, car rental agent to car rental agent and vehicle to vehicle, always consult the specific rental conditions relating to your rental quotation. On the quotation page of our booking process you can find the rental conditions by clicking the Rental Conditions link located at the bottom left of the car type.

The Rental Conditions include full information on:
Driver’s age | Driving licence | Deposit and Payment Card Information | Insurance coverage | Breakdown assistance | Fuel policy | Mileage policy | Special equipment/optional extras | Conditions of optional extras | Additional driver | Travel Restrictions | Tax rate | Fees | Form(s) of ID | Car types | Voucher | Cancellation and no-show policy

You can also find them on the third and final step of the booking process under the Rental Conditions link at the bottom of the confirmation page.

Finally, your rental Terms and Conditions can also be found on the digital confirmation voucher that you need to bring to the rental desk. You can also print the voucher and bring this with you.

How can I pay for my booking?

When you run a search, there is a filter in the left-hand menu that will allow you to filter on the accepted payment types that include Visa, Visa Delta, Visa Electron, Mastercard and Maestro/Laser.

Please note at the time of pick up the local supplier will require a security deposit to be left for the vehicle. This takes the form of an amount (minimum: Excess + Fuel + VAT) being blocked on the primary driver’s credit card.

Debit Cards

If the accepted payment type is a debit card, the information for each quote will detail the deposit requirements.

Can I amend a confirmed booking?

Yes. Please have your booking ID ready. You will also be asked to provide a description and details of the changes you wish to make. Go to our support page to amend your booking. Please note we cannot guarantee you will receive the same rate as your original booking. Rates change frequently and are set by the car rental agents.

How do I amend or change a booking to change the pick-up or drop-off time?

Go to our support page to change your pick-up or drop-off times and dates. Please note we cannot guarantee you will receive the same rate as your original booking. Rates change frequently and are set by the car rental agents.

How do I cancel my booking?

Please use the link provided in your confirmation email.

Insurance

Always read the Insurance section in the Rental Conditions available for a specific rental.

What insurance is included with my car rental?

What is covered:

A car rental will include the following insurance cover arranged by the car rental company:
  • Third Party Liability
  • Collision Damage Waiver
  • Cover Against Theft

What’s not covered?

The car rental company will typically take a security deposit on your credit card, if your vehicle is damaged or stolen they will deduct the Excess amount from your deposit.

How can I cover myself against this risk?

You can purchase a Damage Refund insurance policy – with this cover you will be refunded your excess in the event of a claim and also includes a wide range of additional benefits*. If applicable to you, this can be purchased during the Booking process.
*Please note: subject to terms & conditions of the individual insurance policy

What is an Excess?

The Excess is the amount that you are liable to pay if your rental car is damaged or stolen.
If you have a Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Waiver and Third Party Liability included in your booking, there will most likely still be an excess. In these cases, the excess is the amount you are liable for if there is damage or theft to the rental car during your rental.
When you go to pick up your car, the car rental company will place a hold of funds for the excess amount on the main driver’s credit card as a deposit in case of damage. This hold will be removed when the car is returned with no new damage, but the amount could take a few days to be available in your account.
In the event your rental car is damaged or stolen during your rental period, the amount needed to cover this will be taken from your held excess funds. This amount will not be refunded if you have only chosen Limited insurance cover.

How do I find my excess amount?

To check the excess amount for the car you are interested in renting, please read the Rental Conditions for the specific rental.
If you already have a booking, your excess is outlined in your rental conditions and on your voucher.

Damage Refund Insurance

What is this type of Insurance?

Damage Refund is insurance that protects the amount a beneficiary will be liable to pay under their vehicle hire agreement in the event of an incident causing damage to or loss of the rented vehicle during the period of hire and incidental loss as specified in the policy. Please note that this policy operates on a reimbursement basis, all deposits held by the supplier must be done so on a credit card with the appropriate limit.

How Does a Damage Refund Insurance Policy work?

To explain what Excess Cover is, it’s important to understand what an ‘excess’ is. Please see our ‘What is an Excess’ FAQ for more information.
The excess amount will be determined by the rental company and can vary according to where you live, your destination, your age and the type of vehicle you’re renting. If your rental vehicle is damaged during your rental period, you’re liable to pay the excess amount to cover the cost of damage and repairs. However, if you purchase a Damage Refund insurance policy, this will reimburse the excess you paid in the event of damage occurring, as well as including a wide range of additional benefits*.
*Please note: subject to terms & conditions of the individual insurance policy

What if the rental company tries to sell me one of their products?

When you get to the rental counter, the rental company may offer you additional insurance policies or offer a product that will reduce your security deposit.
If they do, remember:
If you have already purchased an Damage Refund policy this will cover you for:
An Excess refund for the amount taken from your security deposit in the event of damage or theft.
The policy also has a wide range of additional benefits including:
  • Cover for your Personal Belongings
  • Vehicle Key Cover
  • Roadside and Towing
  • Misfuelling Cover
You will not need to purchase additional Excess insurance at the desk, if you have chosen to purchase Damage Refund cover before pick-up.

What if the Rental Company says that my Damage Refund Policy will not work on their car?

This is incorrect, your Policy will work with any car you have rented through our website as an add-on*.
*Insurance cover is subject to policy terms and conditions

Is Breakdown Assistance included?

Most of our rates include Breakdown assistance. We would advise you to read your booking Rental Conditions to check it is included in your rate. All car rental agents have national assistance should the renter require it. Please ask at your local desk for the number and contact details at the time of rental.

Visiting UK – UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family or certain other reasons for up to 6 months.

For more information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)

ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
No action is required from travellers at this point.
The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.

For more information visit: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Tips

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