In Gran Canaria a car is the most flexible way to go from the southern beaches to the mountain villages of the center, such as Tejeda or the area around Roque Nublo, and to the north coast. You most often rent it at Gran Canaria airport, where Aena lists eight rental companies, in the arrivals halls and at car park P1. As a US or UK visitor, check the licence rules below; Spanish traffic rules apply.
This guide gathers the official rules (Aena, the DGT, GOV.UK, travel.state.gov) and the points to check when booking. It gives no prices: they vary too much with the season. To place the island, see our Gran Canaria guide, when to go to Gran Canaria and the comparison Tenerife or Gran Canaria.
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Car rental in Gran Canaria: key facts
- Licence: US citizens, an International Driving Permit is required (U.S. State Department); UK citizens, a UK photocard licence is valid (UK FCDO).
- Airport: 8 companies listed by Aena (Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, OK Mobility, Sixt, TopCar).
- Desks on level 0, international arrivals and (except OK Mobility) domestic arrivals; vehicles at car park P1 and the rental vehicle park.
- Speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) on autopista/autovía, 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).
Do you need a car in Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria is a round, mountainous island. The beach resorts are concentrated in the south (Playa del Inglés, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Mogán), Las Palmas occupies the north-east, and the center, where the Pico de las Nieves and Roque Nublo rise, is made up of mountain roads, villages and ravines (barrancos). Intercity buses link the main towns, but combining the Maspalomas dunes, the inland villages and the north coast in one day is much easier by car.
If you stay in Maspalomas or Playa del Inglés and mainly plan to be on the beach, a short rental (two or three days) for the interior is often enough. If you stay in Las Palmas, the city can be visited on foot and by bus: the car is mainly for excursions.
Licence, age and documents
Gran Canaria 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. Bring your licence (and IDP if applicable), ID and a payment card in the main driver’s name for the deposit: many companies require a credit card and refuse debit cards for the deposit.
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. A bill to lower the limit is under discussion in the Spanish Parliament; according to the sources consulted, it was not in force on 24 October 2026. The DGT repeats that the only safe level is zero. 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).
- 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 Gran Canaria: what is different
- The roads of the center (towards Tejeda, Artenara, Roque Nublo): hairpin bends, steep gradients, narrow passages, many cyclists. Use engine braking on descents and only overtake with good visibility.
- Engine power: on these slopes a small, loaded car struggles. A 4×4 is not necessary for paved roads.
- Las Palmas: heavy traffic, narrow streets around Las Canteras and the old town of Vegueta; prefer public car parks.
- Car parks at mountain sites are small and fill up quickly: start early and never park on the roadway.
- Weather changes with altitude: cloud and wind on the ridges while it is fine on the coast. Check the forecast before going up.
Where to pick up your rental car
| Companies listed by Aena | Locations shown |
|---|---|
| Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Sixt, TopCar | Level 0, international arrivals and domestic arrivals; car park P1, level -1; rental vehicle park, level 0 |
| OK Mobility | Level 0, international arrivals; car park P1, level -1; rental vehicle park, level 0 |
The airport has two arrivals areas, international and domestic. Find your company’s desk in the right area: if your flight connects through mainland Spain, you may come out on the domestic side. Companies absent from the list operate off-airport, with a shuttle: check the meeting point and hours, especially for a late arrival.
Offices also exist in Las Palmas and in the southern resorts, handy for renting for only a few days. If you want to take the car to another island by ferry, you need the company’s written permission; otherwise rent a second car on arrival, for example in Tenerife.
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. Narrow mountain roads expose you to scratches and clipped mirrors: check what your option covers.
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 wheels, the windscreen and the odometer, and have any defect noted.
- Check the tires and brakes: they work hard in the center of the island.
- Note the fuel level and fuel policy; find a gas station near the airport for the return.
- Note the exact return location (car park P1 or the rental vehicle park).
- On return, allow extra time and have the condition report signed.
- Keep the contract, photos and receipts until the deposit is released.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the least powerful car for a mountain-oriented stay.
- Looking for the desk in the wrong arrivals area.
- Arriving with a debit card when the company requires a credit card for the deposit.
- Taking an unpaved track when the contract excludes it.
- Driving up to the center of the island late in the day with no fuel and no time margin.
- Taking the car on a ferry without the company’s written permission.
- Arriving as a US visitor without an International Driving Permit.
Booking your car rental in Gran Canaria
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is my US or UK driving licence valid in Gran Canaria?
Gran Canaria 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 Gran Canaria airport?
Aena lists Avis, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, OK Mobility, Sixt and TopCar, on level 0 of arrivals, with vehicles at car park P1 and the rental vehicle park.
Do I need a 4×4 in Gran Canaria?
Not for paved roads, including towards Tejeda and Roque Nublo. Unpaved tracks are often excluded from contracts.
What is the maximum speed in Gran Canaria?
120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 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 in the Canary Islands?
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 a rental car on the ferry?
Only with the rental company’s written permission, which sets its own insurance conditions.
Our sources
- Aena, Gran Canaria 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.