An EU driving licence is valid everywhere in the EU, according to Your Europe, but older paper licences must be exchanged for the photocard version when you renew it, and at the latest by 2033.
- Outside the EU and EEA, some countries require an international driving permit, which is a translation carried with your licence, not a replacement.
- Rental companies add their own rules, such as a minimum period of holding the licence and a credit card in the main driver's name.
You arrive at the rental desk with your booking, your card and your licence. The agent looks at the licence, then at you, and asks how long you have had it. The law decides whether your licence is valid in the country, but the rental company decides whether it will rent you a car. Knowing both sets of rules saves you an awkward moment at the desk, or a refused rental.
What EU law says about your licence
Your Europe explains the basics:
| Situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Licence issued in an EU country | Valid anywhere in the EU |
| Licence exchanged for an EU licence in your country of residence | Valid across the EU |
| Older paper or non-photocard licence | Still usable, but must be exchanged when you renew it, and at the latest by 2033 |
| Provisional licence or certificate | Cannot be used to drive abroad |
| Lost or stolen licence | Replace it in your country of usual residence; temporary documents from abroad are not automatically recognised |
For licences from outside the EU, Your Europe advises checking with the authorities of the country you visit, or your embassy there.
The international driving permit
The Luxembourg Ministry of Mobility describes the international driving permit as a certified translation of your national licence. Some countries outside the EU and EEA require it, and it must always be carried together with your national licence; it does not replace it. The current model is readable in countries that have ratified the 1949 Geneva or the 1968 Vienna road traffic convention. Japan, for example, only recognises the 1949 convention.
You get the permit in your own country, usually through an automobile club. Apply before you travel.
What the rental company adds
On top of the law, rental companies set their own conditions. Common ones:
- Minimum period of holding the licence, often one or two years, sometimes more for larger cars.
- Minimum and maximum age, with young or senior driver fees.
- Credit card in the main driver's name. ECC Austria notes that the main driver named in the contract often has to be the owner of the credit card used, and that debit and prepaid cards are often refused.
- Additional drivers must show their own licence at the desk and be named on the contract.
These conditions should be in the booking terms. If they are not clear, ask before you book.
Check your licence before you book
Look at the expiry date, the categories and, if it is an older model, whether it is still accepted. If the licence expires during the trip, renew it first.
Check the rental terms
Search the terms for "licence", "age" and "credit card". Note the minimum holding period and whether a second driver costs extra.
Bring the originals
Bring the physical licence, the international permit if needed, and the credit card. Many desks do not accept a digital licence or a photocopy. Your Europe also advises always carrying your insurance papers when you drive; with a rental car, that means the rental contract.
If you are refused at the desk
Ask the agent which condition you do not meet, and where it is in the terms. If the condition was not in the terms you accepted, write down what happened, keep any receipt, and complain afterwards to the party you paid. If you booked through a broker, read who to complain to when you booked through a broker. For a cancelled booking, see cancelling a car rental booking.
Driving across borders
Your licence is valid across the EU, but your rental contract decides which countries the car may enter. Read driving a rental car to another country. And if your trip includes fees for extra drivers or young drivers, our post on why your rental car costs more than you booked shows how to spot them. The terms check helps you read the conditions before you pay.
A short example
You and your partner rent a car in Greece for a week. You have held your licence for ten years; your partner passed the test eight months ago. The terms require a minimum of one year for all drivers. You book with yourself as the only driver, pay with your own credit card, and bring your photocard licence. Your partner does not drive this time, so you do not risk an uninsured driver.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car in another EU country with my national licence?
Yes, as far as the licence goes. Your Europe states that a licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU. The rental company may still have its own conditions, such as a minimum age or a minimum period of holding the licence.
Do I need an international driving permit in the EU?
Not with an EU licence. Some countries outside the EU and EEA require one. It is a translation of your licence and must be carried together with your national licence.
Can I drive abroad with a provisional licence?
No. Your Europe states that you cannot drive abroad on a provisional driving licence or certificate.