last fall europecar brought our car to the naxos airport, and when the man looked at my license and saw that I was 81, he did not want to rent a car to me, tho I'd previously filled out all the forms with europcar, including my birthdate. I pointed this out to him, so he relented and did rent me the car. hertz rented to me in spain, but I'm hearing it is getting more diffictult to rent if one is in his 80's. anyone have any experiences or comments on this. thanks, nick b.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
3698 posts
Some car rental agencies bar octogenarians from
renting their cars. If you rent through www.AutoEurope.com you’ll know ahead of time if age is an issue with the agencies Autoeurope brokers car rentals for. You’ll know up front and, if it is an issue with one company, you can just move on to the next company on AutoEurope’s listings.
Also, AutoEurope will go to bat for you if there are any problems such as what you experienced with Europcar.
Posted by
Surrey, UK
638 posts
It seems to be an issue that is both country and company specific.
Although only mid 70s, we have found that in Europe, Hertz is generally OK.. Avis not necessarily.
Posted by
offline
1443 posts
last fall europecar brought our car to the naxos airport, and when the man looked at my license and saw that I was 81, he did not want to rent a car to me, tho I'd previously filled out all the forms with europcar, including my birthdate. I pointed this out to him, so he relented and did rent me the car. hertz rented to me in spain, but I'm hearing it is getting more diffictult to rent if one is in his 80's. anyone have any experiences or comments on this. thanks, nick b.
I have read that the cut off age for some companies in Europe is as low as 70. I have no personal experience with that, I am only 68, but I also never rent cars in Europe. I am not aware of any max age limit for car rentals in the US.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8435 posts
You have to also be aware that some countries do not allow rentals to older people.
I am 75 but look and act like a much younger person. We continue to travel extensively but have not rented a car in Europe recently.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1354 posts
We booked a car in Scotland in 2023 and our main driver would be 80 at time of rental. The booking company, Celtic Legend, said a doctor's note stating that the driver was fit to drive was required. Upon picking up the car at Arnold Clark Glasgow, no one asked for the doctor's note.
Posted by
Almost Heaven
3245 posts
Too bad there isn't some cognitive, reflexes, or other test they can give you. I've seen 75-year-olds far more fit and energetic than 55-year-olds.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2603 posts
Bravo, treemoss!
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1856 posts
More or less:
https://www.autoeurope.ca/travel-tips/car-rental-age-requirements%2F/
Doctor's note? You have a valid driver's licence (and IDP where necessary), which means you are allowed to rent as long as there are no upper age limits.