In Fuerteventura a car is almost essential to enjoy the island: the big beaches stretch from Corralejo in the north to the Jandía peninsula in the south, and inland villages such as Betancuria are poorly served by public transport. You usually pick it up at the airport, where Aena lists nine rental companies, all on level 0 in the arrivals area. Check which driving licence or permit you need as a US or UK visitor (see below); Spanish traffic rules apply.
This page relies on official sources (Aena, the DGT, GOV.UK, travel.state.gov) and on points to check when you book; it gives no rental prices. To place the island, see our Fuerteventura guide and our guide to the Canary Islands.
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Car rental in Fuerteventura: key facts
- Licence: US citizens, the U.S. State Department says an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required in Spain; UK citizens, a UK photocard licence is valid, a provisional licence is not (see below).
- Airport: 9 companies listed by Aena (AutoReisen, Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, Payless, Sixt, TopCar), level 0, arrivals area.
- Speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) on autovías, 90 km/h (56 mph) on conventional roads, 20, 30 or 50 km/h (12, 19 or 31 mph) in towns (DGT).
- Alcohol: 0.5 g/l of blood, 0.3 g/l for novice drivers (DGT).
- Dirt tracks: often excluded from insurance; read the contract before heading for the wild beaches.
Do you need to rent a car in Fuerteventura?
Fuerteventura is long and sparsely populated. Its highlights, the Corralejo dunes, the Jandía beaches, the wild west coast, Betancuria and the inland villages, are spread out. Intercity buses link the main towns, but at frequencies that leave little flexibility for linking several sites. For a stay in which you want to see the island, a car saves a lot of time.
If you come mainly for one activity (surfing or kitesurfing in Corralejo, relaxing in Costa Calma or Morro Jable) and stay on the spot, a rental of a few days may be enough for excursions. Some water-sports schools organize the trips to the spots themselves: ask.
Licence, age and documents
Fuerteventura is part of Spain, so Spanish rules apply. US citizens: the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, Spain page, last updated August 11, 2025) says you must obtain an International Driving Permit before arrival if you plan to drive in Spain, that you must have one to rent a car, that police who catch you without one might impound the rental car and fine you on the spot, and that IDPs are only valid for 1 year. UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026), you can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Spain; if you still have a paper licence you may need to update it to a photocard, and provisional licences are not valid. You must be 18 or over to drive a car and carry a valid licence and ID. If you use UK insurance, carry your certificate and check that it covers driving in Spain and for how long.
Minimum age, years of licence required and the « young driver » surcharge are set by each rental company, not by law: read them before you pay. At the desk, present your licence (and IDP if applicable), ID and a payment card in the main driver’s name. Many companies require a credit card for the deposit and refuse debit cards: check this point if you only have a debit card.
Driving rules: what the DGT says
| Type of road | Maximum speed |
|---|---|
| Autopista / autovía | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Carretera convencional | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Town, single-platform street (roadway and pavement at the same level) | 20 km/h (12 mph) |
| Town, one lane in each direction | 30 km/h (19 mph) |
| Town, two or more lanes in each direction | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
On conventional roads, the DGT specifies that 90 km/h cannot be exceeded, even to overtake. On alcohol, the DGT gives a maximum of 0.25 mg per liter of exhaled air (0.5 g/l of blood) for most drivers, and 0.15 mg/l (0.3 g/l) for novice and professional drivers (read on 24 October 2026). A lower limit is under discussion in the Spanish Parliament but was not in force on that date. The simplest course is not to drink at all before driving. The UK FCDO adds that police regularly carry out roadside checks for alcohol and drugs, and that penalties include fines, loss of licence and prison.
- Phone: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, even if you have pulled over; only completely hands-free units are allowed, and an earpiece is illegal (UK FCDO). The U.S. State Department mentions a €300 fine.
- Seat belts: compulsory for everyone, front and back, including in taxis; children under 1.35 m (4 ft 5 in) must use an approved child seat on the back seat (UK FCDO); book it with the rental company.
- Roadside stops: wear a reflective vest and place a warning triangle if you stop at the roadside (U.S. State Department).
- On-the-spot fines: the FCDO says the police can issue them, reduced by 50% if you pay within 20 days.
- Roundabouts: give way to vehicles already on them. Take the right-hand lane if you exit at the next exit.
- Parking: respect the road markings; blue zones are paid and time-limited, yellow lines mean no parking.
Driving in Fuerteventura: what is different
- Dirt tracks: many beaches and viewpoints can only be reached by unpaved tracks. Many contracts exclude these roads from the insurance: in case of damage (underbody, tires, windows), the repair may be at your expense. Read the clause before you set off.
- Wind is frequent: hold the door firmly when opening it and beware of side gusts on exposed roads.
- Sand can cover the road in places, especially near the dunes: slow down.
- Animals, goats in particular, may cross in the interior of the island.
- Fuel: fill up before heading to the south of Jandía or the west coast, where stations are rare, and take water.
- Parking in Corralejo and Puerto del Rosario is harder than elsewhere: spot the public car parks.
Where to pick up your rental car
| Companies listed by Aena | Location shown |
|---|---|
| AutoReisen, Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, Payless, Sixt, TopCar | Level 0, arrivals area |
The desks are therefore grouped at the arrivals exit. Companies absent from this list operate off-airport, with a shuttle or meeting by appointment: check the meeting point and opening hours if your flight arrives late. Offices also exist in Corralejo, Puerto del Rosario and the southern resorts, handy for a short rental.
For a day trip to Lanzarote by ferry from Corralejo, the car can only cross with the rental company’s written permission. Otherwise leave it and rent on the spot: our Lanzarote car rental page lists the companies at its airport.
Insurance and excess: what to understand
Every rental includes the compulsory third-party liability insurance. Damage to the vehicle and theft are covered by waivers (often called CDW, TP or equivalent) with an excess (deductible): the sum left to you in case of a claim. The company usually blocks a security deposit on a card in the main driver’s name. In Fuerteventura, the clause on dirt tracks is the most important: a « full coverage » protection may not apply off paved roads.
There are three options: accept the excess, buy it down at the desk, or take out third-party « excess insurance » (you then pay the sum first and are reimbursed). Some credit cards include rental cover: read the terms, as exclusions (windows, tires, underbody, dirt tracks) are common. Our travel insurance guide explains the differences.
Checklist at pick-up and return
- Photograph every side of the vehicle, the underbody, the wheels and the windscreen, and have any defect noted.
- Check the condition of the tires and the presence of the spare wheel.
- Get written confirmation of whether unpaved tracks and the ferry are allowed.
- Note the fuel level and the fuel policy.
- Before returning the car, remove the sand from the interior if the company charges for cleaning.
- On return, allow extra time and have the condition report signed; keep the documents until the deposit is released.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Taking a dirt track when the contract excludes it.
- Heading to the south of Jandía or the west coast with a half-empty tank.
- Opening the door wide in strong wind.
- Leaving visible items in a car parked near an isolated beach.
- Arriving with a debit card when the company requires a credit card for the deposit.
- Taking the car on the ferry to Lanzarote without written permission.
- Arriving as a US visitor without an International Driving Permit.
Booking your car rental in Fuerteventura
You can book directly with a company present at the airport or go through a comparison site, which shows several offers at once. Either way, compare the actual rental company (the one that will hand over the keys), the desk location (in the terminal or by shuttle), the amount of the excess and the deposit, mileage, fuel policy, additional-driver or young-driver fees, and cancellation terms. If you are aiming for the wild beaches, also compare the clauses on dirt tracks: they vary a lot from one company to another.
Frequently asked questions
Is my US or UK driving licence valid in Fuerteventura?
Fuerteventura is part of Spain. The UK FCDO says a UK photocard licence can be used in Spain (provisional licences are not valid); the U.S. State Department says US drivers need an International Driving Permit to drive and to rent a car.
Which rental companies are at Fuerteventura airport?
Aena lists AutoReisen, Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, Payless, Sixt and TopCar, on level 0, arrivals area.
Do I need a 4×4 in Fuerteventura?
Not for paved roads. For dirt tracks, the issue is mainly insurance: many contracts exclude them, whatever the vehicle.
What is the maximum speed in Fuerteventura?
120 km/h (75 mph) on autovías, 90 km/h (56 mph) on conventional roads, 50, 30 or 20 km/h (31, 19 or 12 mph) in towns depending on the road, according to the DGT.
What is the legal alcohol limit?
0.5 g/l of blood (0.25 mg/l of air), 0.3 g/l (0.15 mg/l) for novice and professional drivers, according to the DGT.
Can I take the rental car to Lanzarote?
Only with the rental company’s written permission. Otherwise cross without the car and rent on the spot.
Our sources
- Aena, Fuerteventura airport, « Alquiler de coches » page, checked 27 October 2026.
- DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), press release of 3 August 2026 on speed limits, checked 27 October 2026.
- DGT, « Así son los controles de alcoholemia y drogas », checked 24 October 2026.
- UK FCDO, Spain travel advice, Driving section (GOV.UK, updated 12 August 2026).
- U.S. Department of State, Spain, Traffic laws (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Rules, lists of companies and terms may change: check the official sites before you travel.