Car FAQ Details

Age Policy
At the commencement of rental, drivers must meet the requirement for licence eligibility. If the number of years is 8, this does not mean that the driver must have held their licence for 8 years - it means they must have been eligible to hold their licence for 8 years.

Drivers must be eligible to hold a driving licence for 8 years at the commencement of rental to drive:
MBMN / MDMN / EBMN / EDMN / CDMN / CDMR / CDMD / IDMN / IDMR / IDMD / CWMR / IWMR / IVMR/ EDAN/ CDAN / CDAR / CDAH / IDAN / IDAR / IDAD / IFMR / IFMD / IFAR / EZMN / CZMR.
Drivers must be eligible to hold a driving licence for 11 years at the commencement of rental to drive:
FDMR / SVMN / SVMR / FVMR / FDAR / SVAN / SVAR / FVAR / PDAR.

***For driving licences issued in the USA and Canada***
Drivers must be eligible to hold a driving licence for 9 years at the commencement of rental to drive:
MBMN / MDMN / EBMN / EDMN / CDMN / CDMR / CDMD / IDMN / IDMR / IDMD / CWMR / IWMR / IVMR / EDAN / CDAN / CDAR / CDAH / IDAN / IDAR / IDAD / IFMR / IFMD / IFAR / EZMN / CZMR.
Drivers must be eligible to hold a driving licence for 12 years at the commencement of rental to drive:
FDMR / SVMN / SVMR / FVMR / FDAR / SVAN / SVAR / FVAR / PDAR.
Licence Policy
In order to rent a vehicle from us, we require that you hold a full, valid (in date), unendorsed driving licence for at least 2 years prior to the start of your rental. Licences must be produced in person at the rental location on collection of the vehicle. Licences must be from the country of permanent residence. NON-EU/EEA driving licences cannot be accepted if the holder has been resident in Ireland for more than 12 months. If your booking is for ‘GoCar by Europcar’ you will scan your licence in the app that you will be instructed to download.

Holders of UK, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and all EU member states are NOT required to supply an International Driving Permit (IDP). International Driving Permits where required, MUST BE accompanied by the original domestic licence of the driver. This is clearly stated on the international permit. An International permit presented without the domestic licence, will not be accepted.

Attention: UK Driving Licence Holders
From June 8th 2015, the UK paper part of your driving licence will no longer be valid. We will require all UK licence holders to present evidence of your driving record (entitlements/endorsements) before the vehicle can be released. This can be obtained by printing it out from the DVLA’s ‘Share Driving Licence’ section - Share Driving Licence - before you collect your vehicle. This must be printed within 21 days of your pickup date.

We reserve the right to ask prequalifying questions on your insurance history. You may be refused a vehicle based on the answers you provide.

Irish Law requires that drivers are in possession of their driving licence at all times. Please note that failure to inform us of endorsements on your licence will result in us being unable to provide you with a vehicle and a forfeiture of any deposit taken. Under no circumstances will a letter from a driving authority be accepted instead of an original licence.
CDW Inclusive Rates
If you have selected a rate inclusive of CDW and Theft cover, your vehicle will have the following excess/deductible and this amount will be held on your credit card for the duration of the rental. The excess applies per incident, not per rental.
MBMN/MDMN/EBMN/EDMN/CDMN/CDMR/CDMD1500EUR
EDAN/CDAN/CDAR/CDAH1600EUR
IDMN/IDMR/IDMD/CWMN/IWMR/IDAN/IDAR/IDAD1800EUR
FDMR/FDAR/IFMR/IFMD/IFMD2000EUR
SVMN/SVMR/FVMR/SVAN/SVAR/FVAR/PDAR2500EUR


You can reduce your excess to zero by paying the premium for our excess waiver cover:
MBMN/MDMN/EBMN/EDMN/CDMN/CDMR/CDMD21.00-30.00 EUR PER DAY
EDAN/CDAN/CDAR/CDAH24.00-33.50 EUR PER DAY
IDMN/IDMR/IDMD/CWMN/IWMR/IDAN/IDAR/IDAD24.00-33.50 EUR PER DAY
FDMR/FDAR/IFMR/IFMD/IFMD28.00-38.00 EUR PER DAY
SVMN/SVMR/FVMR/SVAN/SVAR/FVAR/PDAR28.00-38.00 EUR PER DAY


CDW Exclusive Rates
To decline our CDW cover, the driver must fulfil a number of conditions. The driver must:

1. have a US issued World MasterCard or Gold/Platinum Visa Card OR Canadian issued Gold/Platinum Visa/MasterCard that provides cover for CDW and TW as a benefit AND
2. provide WRITTEN PROOF that the card has relevant coverage for the Republic of Ireland. The letter must be dated within 21 days of the pickup date and contain the credit card number (partly masked is acceptable) AND
3. have 5,000Euro available for pre-authorisation on their card in case there is damage to the rental vehicle.

If a letter confirming CDW coverage is not provided on collection of the vehicle OR if your card does not provide the relevant coverage OR if you do not have 5,000Euro available on your card, you will be required to pay the premium for our CDW and THW cover at the local daily rate (ranges from E24-E33 per day depending on vehicle size).

We do not accept European credit cards for coverage. If you pay for the full rental with your eligible US World MasterCard or Gold/Platinum Visa Card or Canadian VisaCard/MasterCard, you may be covered for up to 50,000US Dollars auto rental insurance for your rental without excess. This coverage is a service provided by US Visa/MasterCard OR Visa/MasterCard Canada to the cardholder and therefore it is the cardholder's responsibility to ensure that they are adequately covered for the entire duration of the rental period. We reserve the right to refuse third party insurance.

Please be advised that for security reasons, 5,000EURO will be pre-authorised on your card in case there is any damage. If there is any damage, this amount can be claimed back through your credit card company. We will NOT be held responsible for any exchange rate charges as a result.

Relevant cards will only be accepted for coverage for a maximum of 28 days in any one calendar year.

**Please note that we DO NOT ACCEPT CDW policies purchased through a third party.**

***EXCLUSIVE RATES ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO CUSTOMERS TRANSFERRING THEIR OWN IRISH INSURANCE POLICY - ANY CUSTOMER WISHING TO DO THIS MUST CONTACT OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM ON 01 8441944.
Optional Extras

The following optional protections/items will be offered on collection of the vehicle:

Additional driver€10.22 per day per driver
Baby / Booster seats€8 per day per seat (Maximum charge of €50 or €80 if more than 1 seat is required.)
GPS€14.76 per day (Maximum charge €147.60) Please note there is a €200.00 fee in the event of loss or theft.
SCDW Cover€21.00 to €38.00 per day. By paying the premium for SCDW, you minimize your excess.
Travel to Northern Ireland€34.05 per car
Returning to different location in a different county€00.00/68.10/100.00
Returning to different location in the same county€00.00/34.05
One Way RentalsRanges from €34.05 to €100.00 depending on location.
CDW Waived Conditions
To decline our CDW cover, the driver must fulfil a number of conditions. The driver must:

1. have a US issued World MasterCard or Gold/Platinum Visa Card or Canadian issued Gold/Platinum Visa/MasterCard that provides cover for CDW and TW as a benefit AND
2. provide WRITTEN PROOF that the card has relevant coverage for the Republic of Ireland. The letter must be dated within 21 days of the pickup date and contain the credit card number (partly masked is acceptable) AND
3. have 5,000Euro available for pre-authorisation on their card in case there is damage to the rental vehicle.

If a letter confirming CDW coverage is not provided on collection of the vehicle OR if your card does not provide the relevant coverage OR if you do not have 5,000Euro available on your card, you will be required to pay the premium for our CDW and THW cover at the local daily rate (ranges from E24-E33 per day depending on vehicle size).

We do not accept European credit cards for coverage. If you pay for the full rental with your eligible US World MasterCard or Gold/Platinum Visa Card or Canadian VisaCard/MasterCard, you may be covered for up to 50,000US Dollars auto rental insurance for your rental without excess. This coverage is a service provided by US Visa/MasterCard OR Visa/MasterCard Canada to the cardholder and therefore it is the cardholder's responsibility to ensure that they are adequately covered for the entire duration of the rental period. We reserve the right to refuse third party insurance.

**Please note that we DO NOT ACCEPT CDW policies purchased through a third party.**

Relevant cards will only be accepted for coverage for a maximum of 28 days in any one calendar year.

Please be advised that for security reasons, 5,000EURO will be pre-authorised on your card in case there is any damage. If there is any damage, this amount can be claimed back through your credit card company. We will NOT be held responsible for any exchange rate charges as a result.
Forms of payment
We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover Cards. For all 'pre-pay online' bookings, the person in whose name the vehicle is booked MUST be the person whose credit/debit card is used.


Debit cards will only be accepted if either (1) a credit card is also provided to cover the excess; or (2) the customer purchases our Super Collision Damage Waiver product, which reduces the excess to €250.


At the time of rental there must be sufficient credit on your card to cover all charges including the excess/deductible amount. The excess applies per incident, not per rental.

Payment must be made with a credit/debit card in the principal drivers name as we do not accept cash or the credit card from a third party. Holders of a 'Chip and Pin' card must know their PIN number.

Regardless of the level of coverage purchased, ALL renters will be subject to a minimum preauthorisation on their credit card of the vehicle excess amount plus €50. This is in the event of traffic fines, toll charges etc.
Documents required & payment
In order to rent a vehicle from us, you must have your driving licence (UK drivers must have DVLA code) and credit/debit card (in your own name) with you on collection of the vehicle. Unfortunately we will be unable to rent a vehicle to a customer who does not fulfil these criteria and we will not be held liable for any costs incurred if a customer is unable to pick up their vehicle as a result of failing to produce the above items or not knowing their credit card 'Chip and Pin' number.
Deposit / Cancellation / No Show Policy
-Once availability has been confirmed, if your booking is for 35 days or less 60% is charged, and if your booking is for more than 35 days 30% is charged.


Modifications to your booking are free of charge before the start of the rental day (though new rental prices may apply)


If Cancellation Cover has not been purchased:
  • If cancelling more than 48 hours before the pick up date and time, you will get a full refund.
  • If cancelling between 24 and 48 hours before the pick up date and time, you will get a refund of the amount paid less a cancellation fee 15% of the amount paid.
  • If cancelling less than 24 hours before the pick up date and time, there is no refund.

If Cancellation Cover has been purchased:
  • If cancelling more than 48 hours before the pick up date and time, you get a full refund.
  • If cancelling between 2 and 48 hours before the pick up date and time, you will get a refund of the amount paid less the cost of cancellation cover.
  • If cancelling less than 2 hours before the pick up date and time, there is no refund.


Failure to collect your vehicle without notifying us results in the loss of the full booking deposit.

If you return the vehicle to us before the end of the agreed rental period, then you will not be entitled to a refund for any unused days.
FLIGHT INFORMATION (if collecting from an airport location)
For all airport collections, we ask that you provide us with the correct flight number and arrival time when booking your vehicle. This is to ensure that if your flight is delayed your vehicle will be held and staff will be in place to greet you when you arrive. If this information is not available to you at the time of booking, we ask you provide us with it at least 5 days before your arrival date. If we do not receive this information in time, we cannot take responsibility for a failed rental.
Meet Late Arrival
Where a flight is delayed and you arrive at our desk 30 minutes or less after our closing time, no additional fee applies. If you arrive at our desk 30 minutes or more after our closing time, out of hours charges of € 40 will apply. Please contact the pickup branch directly for further information. Please note that we must have been advised of the arrival flight number at the time of original reservation.
Vehicle Hold
Vehicles will only be held for 2 hours after the booked pickup time/landing time within our opening hours. After this time, the vehicle may not be available and deposits may be non-refundable.
Mileage Policy
All rentals for 35 days or less have unlimited mileage.
If your rental is for more than 35 days, your rental has a mileage allowance of 3,000kms per 28 days.
Mileage will be calculated at the end of your rental and excess mileage will be billed at 14c per km on your final invoice.
Fuel Policy
For your convenience, we offer the following 2 fuel options:
1. PREPAID FUEL
Customers can choose our prepaid fuel option at the beginning of their rental at our special discounted rates. For your convenience there is no need to refill the vehicle. With this option, no refunds will be given for unused fuel. Prices for this option are set locally.
2. STANDARD REFUELLING
Customers can return the car as they wish. Should the car return less than full, the customer will be charged a local refuelling fee plus the standard fuel price per litre.

No compensation will be given for fuel charges if an upgrade to a larger car is given.
Barrier Free / Toll Roads
The M50 uses a barrier free tolling system between junctions 6 and 7. Drivers are responsible for the payment of their tolls directly with the Toll Operator. Further information regarding toll rates and payment methods will be given on collection of your vehicle. All other toll charges are the responsibility of the renter and must be paid as you enter or exit the toll plaza.
Travel to Northern Ireland
Vehicles may travel into Northern Ireland and you must inform us of this on collection of the vehicle (34.05Euro per rental.) However UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES can a vehicle be taken off the island of Ireland
Speeding / Fines
The renter is responsible for all costs and penalties incurred relating to traffic offences, parking tickets, clamping fines, compound charges, speeding fines etc and also the provision of documentation relating to accidents. The hirer is liable to pay for these fines / offences directly to the local authority. Where the hirer does not settle these fines directly, the hirer's details will be provided to the local authority and an administration fee of € 30.00 will apply.
Maximum Rental Duration
The maximum number of days allowed for a short term rental is 35. If you rent a vehicle for more than 35 days it is deemed a long term rental.
VAT Policy
Please note that all charges for your rental are inclusive of VAT.
Reservations Department
International +353 1 8441944
Email rent@carhire.ie