Can I rent a car as a new driver?

If you’re looking to rent a car as a new driver, you’re surely keen to get out on the road as soon as possible. However, this isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. In this guide, we’ll be exploring whether you are able to rent a car as a new driver, and any limitations that might apply when you start looking to rent a car in Bishop Auckland.


What are the requirements for renting a car as a new driver?

Whether you have a road trip in mind or just need a car temporarily for getting to work and back, getting a car for rental is a great option for many drivers in the UK. However, if you’re a new driver, it’s important to be aware of the terms the majority of car rental companies will have in place. In order protect themselves and you before they rent a car to you.

Minimum age

You will likely find that most car rental companies state that drivers must be 25 or older to rent a vehicle from them. There might be rentals out there that will accept drivers younger than 25, but there is probably going to be a young driver fee. This means that all young drivers would be required to pay an additional charge for their car rental, which can range between £30 and £40 per day in the UK.

It might not sound like much, but depending on how long you intend to rent the car for, it can quickly build up. Especially when you consider that you’ll already be paying the cost to rent the car itself and the insurance. As a young new driver, it will be most cost effective for you to wait until you’re 25 to rent a car. Not only will this mean you won’t have to pay a young driver fee, but your insurance is likely to be less expensive too.

How long you have held your license

In most cases, you need to have held a full, valid driving license for at least 1 year before you can rent a car. By that time, you will have probably gained more experience and confidence as a driver. So, to rental companies, you are less likely to have an accident, making you a more appealing prospect to trust with one of their vehicles.

If you need a car for a specific reason or you really want the independence of driving. But you haven’t had your full license for a year yet. The best thing to do is try and get as much as driving experience as possible within that first year of you passing your test. This could be by becoming a named driver on a friend or relative’s car, or even buying a cheap, used car for yourself. A year will quickly go by and once it has, you’ll be able to rent the right car to suit your needs.


What documents do you need to rent a car as a new driver?

If you’re over the age of 25 and have held your license for at least 1 year. Then you shouldn’t have any problems renting a car as a new driver. No matter which rental company you use. Different rentals might vary the exact documentation required before they will rent to you. In order to rent a car from us here at Croxdale you will need:

  • Your full driver’s license
  • A credit or debit card in the main driver’s name
  • 2 forms of ID e.g., a credit card or bank statement for the card being used for the main driver and a type of formal document like a passport or work ID

Your driving license must include your current address and all information provided should be accurate. Please note we won’t accept copies of driving licenses and all licenses will be checked through the official DVLA website. A check code will need to be supplied by you in order for us to do this.


Conclusion

To answer the question of this article, in most cases you will only be able to rent a car as a new driver if you are over the age of 25. And have held your full license for at least one year. If you meet these requirements and are looking for short- or long-termcar hire in Bishop Auckland. Contact Croxdale today to answer any specific questions. You can also find answers to general queries through ourFAQs.

Ready to get started? Use ouronline form to book a rental with us.