To rent a car abroad, three checks avoid most unpleasant surprises: is your driving licence recognized in the country (an International Driving Permit may be required, and rules vary by destination); which card does the rental company accept for the deposit (often a credit card in the main driver’s name); and what excess remains payable if the car is damaged. The rest is decided at the vehicle inspection, at pick-up and at return.
This guide draws on official rules (GOV.UK, the U.S. State Department and USA.gov, Your Europe) and advice from the European Consumer Centre (ECC France), with a checklist, a table by destination and the mistakes to avoid. For general preparation, see also our road trip guide.
Our travel deals for Renting a car abroad
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Car rentalEconomybookingsRental comparison: check excess, mileage and minimum age.Compare rentals
Renting a car abroad: key points
- International Driving Permit (IDP): required in some countries and not others; check the destination’s rule. In the US, only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue it; in the UK it costs £5.50 at certain PayPoint shops (GOV.UK).
- Always carry your own licence as well as the IDP.
- Deposit: often a credit card in the main driver’s name (ECC France).
- Excess: the sum you pay in case of damage or theft; it can be reduced.
- Inspection report, photos and fuel receipt: your best evidence in a dispute.
Is your licence valid?
In the European Union, a licence issued by a member state is recognized in the others, Your Europe reminds drivers. Provisional or temporary licences are not regulated at EU level and may not be recognized. For a US or UK licence, the situation depends on the country you visit: many countries do not accept a US driver’s license on its own, so you may need an IDP and extra auto insurance, according to the U.S. State Department and USA.gov (found 12 November 2026); some destinations, such as Japan, reject IDPs issued by organizations other than the authorized ones or issued online.
The International Driving Permit
United States. According to the State Department and USA.gov (found on 12 November 2026), only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue International Driving Permits to US residents; AAA accepts applications at its offices, online or by mail, and AATA online with a passport photo and a US driver’s license. An IDP is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. Carry both the IDP and your US licence while driving abroad. Scammers sell fake IDPs online and in person, and using one abroad can lead to legal charges or travel delays.
United Kingdom. According to GOV.UK (driving abroad, checked 12 November 2026), you need a Great Britain or Northern Ireland licence, valid when you travel. Some countries require an IDP, and you may need one for each country you visit; GOV.UK has a checker. You can get one in person at certain PayPoint shops; the page lists the price as £5.50. For a hire car, insurance is included but check the coverage details with the hire company; the company may ask for your licence information, which you can share with a « check code » from GOV.UK generated up to 21 days before your trip (a Northern Ireland licence holder must show the paper counterpart). Checking that you have the required equipment (stickers, reflective jacket, warning triangle, depending on the destination) is your responsibility.
| Situation | International Driving Permit | Phone roaming for GPS | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivers with an EU licence, within the EU | Not required (EU licences are recognized) | Domestic rates for EU plans | Your Europe |
| US drivers abroad | Depends on the country: check before you go; AAA or AATA only | Check your plan’s international terms | State Department, USA.gov |
| UK drivers abroad | Depends on the country: use the GOV.UK checker; £5.50 | Check your plan’s international terms | GOV.UK |
Age, drivers and documents
The minimum age, years of licence held and young driver fees depend on the rental company: ECC France notes that a surcharge is common for drivers under 25, and that a second driver must also be declared and insured. On pick-up day, bring your licence (and the IDP if needed), an ID document, the booking confirmation and the payment card for the deposit, in the main driver’s name.
Insurance, excess and deposit
The European Consumer Centre (ECC France) reminds drivers that third-party liability insurance is normally included in the price. Theft and damage to the vehicle (cover often called CDW and TP) still come with an excess, the sum you pay in the event of a claim. Most rental companies block a deposit, often equal to the excess, whose « amount and conditions of release are freely set by the rental companies ».
Many companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name. ECC notes that with a debit card you sometimes need €1,000 to €2,000 available in your account, and that there is no recourse if the requirement is in the terms and conditions. To reduce the excess: buy cover at the counter, third-party insurance (you pay first and are reimbursed) or the cover offered by some premium cards; read the exclusions. Our travel insurance guide explains the differences.
Rules of the road: habits to adopt abroad
Speed limits, the legal alcohol limit and compulsory equipment change from one country to the next. Your Europe publishes a page for each European country; a few rules are common across the Union: seat belts compulsory, suitable child restraints, and no phone without a hands-free kit. EU countries exchange information on offenses: a fine may be sent to your home address, and the rental company adds its administrative fees (ECC France). Our destination guides give the local official rules, for example for Tenerife, Iceland or Corsica.
Pick-up and return checklist
- At pick-up: an inspection report, if possible with an employee; all damage and booked options must appear on the document (ECC).
- Dated photos and video of the vehicle, including wheels, windshield and odometer.
- Fuel: without a fuel option, return it full and keep the receipt (ECC).
- At return: a new inspection, a signed return document and a copy kept.
- Office closed or key box: you remain responsible for the vehicle until the keys are handed back; photograph it (ECC).
- After the trip: watch your account; charges may be taken (fuel, parking, delay).
Common mistakes to avoid
- Arriving with a debit card when the company requires a credit card: no recourse if it is written in the terms (ECC).
- Forgetting the International Driving Permit for a country that requires one, or showing it without your own licence.
- Getting the IDP too late, or buying one from an unauthorized seller.
- Accepting an incomplete inspection document without having the damage noted.
- Returning the car out of hours without photos.
- Using the phone as a GPS without a mount or hands-free kit.
- Leaving mobile data on roaming outside your plan’s zone: consider a travel eSIM.
In case of a dispute
ECC France recommends contacting the rental company’s customer service first, then sending a registered letter with the chronology of events and supporting documents (contract, photos).
Booking your rental car abroad
A comparison site shows several rental companies at once; a direct booking puts you in touch with a single contact. In both cases, compare the actual rental company, the desk location (terminal or shuttle), the excess and deposit, the accepted card, mileage, fuel policy, additional driver and young driver fees, one-way rentals and cancellation terms. ECC reminds consumers to check the terms of both the rental company and the intermediary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car abroad?
It depends on the country. Some require one and some do not: check the destination’s rule before you go (GOV.UK checker for UK drivers; State Department and USA.gov for US drivers).
How much does an International Driving Permit cost?
In the UK, £5.50 at certain PayPoint shops, according to GOV.UK. In the US, only AAA and AATA are authorized to issue it; check their current fee.
Can I rent a car with a debit card?
Some companies accept it, often with a high balance required; many require a credit card in the main driver’s name.
What is the excess on a rental?
The sum that remains payable if the car is damaged or stolen. It can be reduced through a rental company option, third-party insurance or some cards.
What if the rental company charges for damage after I return?
Dispute it with your photos and the signed return document, in writing, starting with the rental company’s customer service.
Our sources
- GOV.UK, Driving abroad, checked 12 November 2026.
- USA.gov, International driver’s license for U.S. citizens, and U.S. Department of State, Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad, found on 12 November 2026.
- Your Europe (European Commission), « Recognition and validity of driving licences » (last checked 13 October 2026) and « Rules of the road and road safety » (last checked 23 December 2025), read on 24 October 2026.
- European Consumer Centre France, « Car rental » (updated 26 June 2023), read on 24 October 2026.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.