We just made a rather unpleasant discovery while planning a trip around Ireland and France. It appears that most, if not all, companies will not rent / hire a car to people of our age (76). Has anyone else run into this road trip block? Any work around suggestions please? Planning to fly into Ireland in mid-May 2023.
Posted by
11551 posts
Keep trying other car rental companies. It seems to be up to the company.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3270 posts
Try AutoEurope.com. I’m over 76 and have not had a problem with age hindering a rental through them.
Posted by
99 posts
Have you tried to rent and were turned down or is this just your opinion? My husband is 76 and we already have a car rented thru Auto Europe for two vacations next year? Call the rental company.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1546 posts
We use Economycarrentals.com. They are an aggregator. When inputting our search information one of the questions asked is age. Earlier this year we rented cars through them in France and at the time the driver was 78 years old. You can check with them to see if you can find what you need.
Posted by
8164 posts
I have read that you can't rent a car in Ireland if you are 0ver 75.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8312 posts
It's up to the rental company if they choose to limit the age of who they'll rent to. Some refuse to rent to any over 70. You just have to ask about their age policy.
I'm 72 years of age, but look and act like I'm in my 50's. I know some people that are prematurely aging--in their 50's. I have no problem driving a car in any European country.
Ireland may be more demanding on a driver than many other countries. Off the main highways, roads are often narrow and crooked. And there are sometimes deep ditches or hedges very close to the roadway. And you've got to get used to driving on the left side of the road.
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2976 posts
Here's a comprehensive listing from AutoEurope regarding rental car requirements and age restrictions for senior drivers in Europe: https://www.autoeurope.com/travel-tips/rental-car-age-requirements/
Note that there is no upper age limit in France, and Ireland simply requires additional documentation that the person is fit to drive before releasing the vehicle.