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Need help with your car rental? Phone: 0808-164-1480
Need help with your car rental?
Phone: 0808-164-1480

Required Documents in the UK

Required documents in the UK banner

In the UK, you will need a valid driver's licence and a credit card to hire a car. Drivers in the UK with a photo card driving licence should present the photo card. Failure to bring a valid photo card driving licence may result in the rental being refused. Remember some suppliers may require customers to consent to their licence records being accessed as needed. If your licence is in non-roman alphabet, you will need the original licence and an international driving permit.

Here is a list of the items that you may be required to show to the depot to collect your hire car:

  • Driving Licence (must be in the same name as the credit card)
  • Credit Card (must be in the same name as the driving licence)
  • Passport
  • A national identity card (if an EU resident)
  • Travel documents showing arrival / departure information from the UK (if visiting from outside of the EU)

Drivers will also need to be in possession of a valid credit card in their own name, to cover the damage excess deposit. In some cases, debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo will be accepted. However, we recommend that you check the terms and conditions of your car rental company to see their specific policy for payment with debit cards. Some suppliers like Alamo require all their renters with a UK home address paying on a debit card will need to pass an Online Address Check first as verification of residence at their given address. Customers who will fail the check will not be allowed to rent.

Note: UK drivers may need to show a DVLA licence 'check code' (so hire car companies can check for any endorsements/penalty points. Only those with a non-EU driver's licence will require an IDP to rent a car in the UK. Keep in mind that an IDP does not replace your driver's licence. Drivers should always keep the two together.

Read more about picking up a rental car in the UK.

 For example:

When you pick up your hire car

Rayyan arrives in London to pick up his hire car. He will need to show his driving licence and credit card at the counter. Since Rayyan holds a Malaysian driving licence, he needs to present his passport and an International Driving Permit (IDP).