Renting a car in Tenerife is the most flexible way to go from the beach resorts of the south to the villages of the north, the Teno massif or Teide National Park. You usually pick it up at one of the two airports, Tenerife South or Tenerife North, where Aena lists the companies present. As a US or UK visitor, check the licence rules below; Spanish traffic rules apply, enforced by the DGT.
This guide gathers the official rules (Aena, the DGT, GOV.UK, travel.state.gov) and the points to check when booking. We show no prices: they vary too much with the season and the length of rental to be reliable. To place the island, see our Tenerife guide, when to go to Tenerife and our comparison Tenerife or Lanzarote.
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Car rental in Tenerife: 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).
- Tenerife South: 7 companies listed by Aena (AutoReisen, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Record Go, TopCar).
- Tenerife North: 6 companies listed by Aena (Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, Sixt, TopCar), on the ground floor of the terminal.
- Speed: 120 km/h (75 mph) on autopista/autovía, 90 km/h (56 mph) on conventional roads, 20/30/50 km/h (12/19/31 mph) in towns depending on the road.
- Alcohol: 0.5 g/l of blood (0.25 mg/l of air), 0.3 g/l (0.15 mg/l) for novice drivers.
Do you really need a car in Tenerife?
The island is mountainous: Teide fills the center, the south coast concentrates the beach resorts (Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje), the north is greener, with La Orotava, Puerto de la Cruz and La Laguna, and the north-west holds the Teno massif and Masca. Buses link the main towns, but linking the Teide viewpoints, the Teno villages and the north coast in one day is much easier by car.
A car is not essential, however, if you stay in a southern resort and take one or two organized excursions. In that case a two- or three-day rental in the middle of the stay may be enough.
Who can rent: licence, age, documents
Tenerife 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 in Spain
| 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.
Driving in Tenerife: what is different
- Mountain roads to Teide, Masca and Teno: hairpins, steep gradients, coaches and cyclists. Use engine braking on descents.
- Weather at altitude: conditions change quickly above the clouds; check the weather and road conditions before going up.
- Historic centers (La Laguna, La Orotava): narrow streets, pedestrian zones; park on the outskirts.
- Returning to the airport: allow extra time, especially if you cross the Santa Cruz and La Laguna conurbation.
- Viewpoints: stop only in the designated areas, never on the roadway.
Where to pick up your rental car
| Airport | Companies listed by Aena | Location shown |
|---|---|---|
| Tenerife South | AutoReisen, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Record Go, TopCar | Terminal floors 0 and 1, and outside the building |
| Tenerife North – Ciudad de La Laguna | Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar-InterRent, Hertz, Sixt, TopCar | Terminal, floor 0 |
Other companies, absent from these lists, operate from nearby offices with a shuttle: the offer may be cheaper, but pick-up and return take longer. Check on your booking whether the desk is « in terminal » or « shuttle », and the opening hours if you arrive late. Also choose the airport according to your flight: Tenerife South mainly serves the southern beach resorts, Tenerife North is close to La Laguna.
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. Unpaved tracks are often excluded from the cover: read the contract if you are aiming for forest 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 wheels, the windscreen and the odometer before leaving; have any defect noted.
- Check the tires and brakes: they work hard on the Teide roads.
- Note the fuel level and policy (full-to-full or other).
- Ask whether the vehicle can take the ferry to another island and on what terms.
- On return, allow extra time and have the condition report signed.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing the excess with the security deposit: the latter is blocked even without a claim.
- Arriving with a debit card when the company requires a credit card for the deposit.
- Taking a large vehicle to Masca or Teno: the roads are narrow.
- Driving up to Teide late in the day without checking that the roads are open and having fuel.
- 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 Tenerife
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 Tenerife?
Tenerife 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 Tenerife South airport?
Aena lists AutoReisen, Cicar, Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz, Record Go and TopCar, on floors 0 and 1 of the terminal and outside the building.
What is the maximum speed in Tenerife?
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 number of lanes, according to the DGT.
What is the legal alcohol limit in Spain?
0.5 g/l of blood (0.25 mg/l of exhaled air), 0.3 g/l (0.15 mg/l) for novice and professional drivers.
Can I drive to Teide in a rental car?
Yes, on paved roads. Check the weather and road conditions, especially in winter, and stop only in the designated areas.
Our sources
- Aena, Tenerife South airport, « Alquiler de coches » page, checked 24 October 2026.
- Aena, Tenerife North-Ciudad de La Laguna airport, « Alquiler de vehículos » page, checked 24 October 2026.
- DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), press release of 3 August 2026 on speed limits, checked 24 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).
- DGT press release of 13 July 2026 on checks, checked 24 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026. Rules, lists of companies and terms may change: check the official sites before you travel.