Renting a car in Ireland: 7 Tips for a Stress-Free Trip

Renting a car in Ireland gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore how and when you like, but it can be a very confusing process.

Mainly as Irish car rental companies use jargon that can fool you into buying unnecessary add-ons…

The solution?

Take 2 minutes to educate yourself on how to rent a car in Ireland by following the 6 steps below (they’ll save you stress and cash):

Step 1: The key need-to-knows about renting a car in Ireland

If you’re stuck for time, the points below contain the key information about car rental in Ireland.

Please note that, if you book a rental via Discover Cars (4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from 160,000+ reviews) I’ll make a commission – you won’t pay extra, but you’ll help keep this site running.

1. The cheapest option is never all it seems

Regardless of whether you use a comparison site or go direct via one of the Irish car rental companies, the cheapest option is never all it seems.

The cheapest price always means the lowest level of insurance has been selected.

2. Insurance is deliberately confusing

The main issue people have when renting a car in Ireland is insurance.

As a rule of thumb, you’re generally best-off selecting the highest level of cover. There are 3 main types of insurance:

• Third Party: A non-optional legal requirement
• CDW: Reduces the amount you’re liable to pay if your rental is damaged or stolen
• Super CDW: Can often reduce your excess to zero
• Full coverage: Available with Discover Cars

3. You’ll have to leave a deposit

The vast majority of people looking to rent a car in Ireland will have a security deposit placed on their credit card.

• How much: I have seen this as high as €2,900
• My issue: You only find the exact amount at the pick-up counter
• When it’s ‘released’: Usually within 4 working days of dropping the car back
• Make sure: Your card has enough of a limit to cover your trip

4. There are many policies and requirements

I’ll go into these requirements for renting a car in Ireland in detail further down, but here are the key points:

• Age: You need to be 21+
• Northern Ireland: You’ll be charged a fee for entering
• Milage limits: They can be tricky if you have a long Ireland itinerary
• Fuel policy: Always avoid ‘Collect Full, Return Empty’

5. Compare prices for the best rate

The best way to rent a car in Ireland is to see how the various companies compare. I have been recommending Discover Cars for the last 2 years and have have nothing but positive feedback (they have a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from 160,000+ reviews).

Step 2: See if you fit the car rental requirements

Before you start looking at the ins and outs of how to rent a car in Ireland, you need to understand if you can actually rent one.

While there are several requirements for driving in Ireland, the one that tends to cause the most confusion is around age.

Requirement 1: A valid drivers licence and ID

You need a valid ID and drivers licence for renting a car in Ireland. Here’s the key info:

• EU and EEA member states: You can drive in Ireland once the licence is valid
• UK licences: These are valid if you live in the UK and are visiting Ireland
• USA + other licences: Once you hold a national driving licence and an international driving permit you can drive in Ireland

Requirement 2: Age restrictions

• If you’re under 21: Can’t rent a car in Ireland
• If you’re between 21 and 25: Some companies will rent to you but you’ll pay a hefty daily surcharge
• If you’re over 75: You can rent a car but may need to provide specific documentation

Requirement 3: Credit cards and debit cards

Some companies allow you to rent a car in Ireland without a credit card.

For example, Enterprise allows you to use a Debit Card, but only at non-airport locations.

Many Irish rental car companies won’t accept debit card and require you to have a credit card with you when you arrive at the counter.

Step 3: Understanding car rental insurance in Ireland

Car rental insurance is the main issue for those renting a car in Ireland. It’s also what can turn what looks like a good deal to a money burner in seconds.

However, once you know what to look out for, there’ll be no surprises when you reach the counter.

1. Car Hire Excess (you need to understand this first)

Understanding Car Hire Excess is hugely important when renting a car in Ireland.

This is a set amount which Irish car rental companies WON’T COVER if you have to make a claim.

For example, your rental will include basic insurance in the price (see point 2). However, if you damage the car, you are liable to pay a fixed amount towards the damage.

2. Third Party Liability Insurance is a legal requirement

Third-Party Cover is included, by law, in your car rental price.

In a nutshell, Third Party Liability Insurance is the minimum level of cover that’s legally allowed to drive a car in Ireland:

• It covers: Damage to someone else’s car/property and any injury you cause to the person
• It doesn’t cover: Any medical or legal costs you incur along with any damage to the car you’re driving

3. Collision Damage Waiver

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is generally where a good chunk of confusion is caused when renting a car in Ireland.

CDW is additional insurance coverage that you can take out from your Ireland car rental company or via a third party.

It’s optional and the cost is charged on a per-day basis. If you buy this, make sure to check the excess fee (i.e. the amount you’ll have to pay if there’s an accident).

• What it does: It reduces the amount you’re liable to pay if your rental is damaged or stolen
• If you decline: Most rental companies will make you sign a contract to say you’re fully responsible for the value of the car
• Credit card cover: Some credit cards offer this level of cover, but you have to be 100% sure that 1, it covers you to drive in Ireland and that 2, the rental company accepts it

4. Super CDW and full coverage

Third Party and CDW cover you for major incidents, however, you’ll still be liable for minor ones.

Super CDW is offered by car rental companies in Ireland and it can often reduce your excess to zero (i.e. you won’t need to pay anything in the event of an accident).

If you book via DiscoverCars add their ‘Full Coverage’. This covers the excess so, if something happened to the car, you wouldn’t need to pay anything (always read the Ts&Cs).

5. What I do

When I need a rental, I book via DiscoverCars and add the full coverage for peace of mind.

When booking, I’ll always check if CDW is included (it’s listed under the photo of the car).

Step 4: What to check when you’re booking

I realise that our Ireland car rental guide might seem long winded, but it genuinely only contains the need-to-know info.

So, with that in mind, the next section looks at some the key things you need to be aware of when you book your car rental in Ireland.

1. Time spent reading the Ts&Cs is worth its weight in gold

If there’s one tip you take from this guide to renting a car in Ireland it’s to read the Ts&Cs of your rental agreement before you sign and actually understand what’s being said.

Many (not all) people that have negative experiences with rental companies do so due to a lack of research.

2. The pick up point (plan it around your itinerary)

When planning a trip to Ireland, the itinerary is key. Even more so if you plan on getting around Ireland in a rental.

Have a clear route planned and then ensure the pick-up location (e.g. Shannon) fits with your starting point.

If you follow an itinerary from our massive road trip library you’ll get tips on when you will/won’t need a car.

Book in advance to save cash: As tends to be the case with many hotels and airlines, the cost to rent a car in Ireland tends to skyrocket when you book closer to the date of collection.

3. The provider rating

If you use Discover Cars when hiring a car in Ireland, always look at the rating next to the provider.

Personally, I’d only rent from a provider with an 8+ review score.

4. The Northern Ireland charge

Many car rental companies charge you if you enter Northern Ireland and they track this via the car’s GPS (see our guide to Ireland vs Northern Ireland if you’re confused).

You need to check if:

• It’s a per-crossing charge (i.e. you’re charged every time you cross the border)
• It’s a one off charge (i.e. you pay a sum in advance)

5. The fuel policy

When it comes to fuel, the best way to rent a car in Ireland is to choose the ‘Collect Full, Return Full’ policy.

If you don’t, you’ll be hit with excess fuel costs when the rental company tops it up themselves. You’ll always find a petrol/diesel station close to your drop-off location.

6. The toll policy

Ireland has a number of toll roads scattered across the country. All but one is your standard toll – i.e. you approach the toll and you can pay with cash or card.

Dublin’s M50 motorway is what’s known as a ‘free-flow tolling system’. So, there isn’t a toll booth – your car reg is recorded and a charged is placed against it.

Some Ireland car rentals come with a ‘toll tag’ which covers this charge, but you need to check the Ts&Cs.

7. The transmission (i.e. manual vs automatic)

The majority of rental cars in Ireland are manual (AKA ‘shift’).

Now, while automatic cars are available from most companies, they’re not in wide supply.

If you can only drive an automatic, make sure that you book well in advance to avoid disappointment and hefty rental fees.

8. Airport collection fees

Yep, if you’re renting a car in Dublin Airport there’s a charge of €22 (cost may change).

This won’t be listed in the fee that you’re quoted online – it’s added when you pick up the car and it’s payable upon arrival at the airport.

9. Clarity on what’s been paid and what’s left to pay

When you’re booking your rental online, BE VERY CLEAR on what’s included in the price you’re paying online and WHAT STILL HAS TO BE PAID when you arrive at the counter on the day.

Personally, I tend to go for the ‘pre-paid’ option (i.e. paying in advance).

The only unknown then is how much of a security deposit will be held on your card.

10. Understanding the extras

The cost of extras can make renting a car in Ireland very expensive.

This is where you need to be savvy with your research phase – get out a pen and paper/spreadsheet and compare the different costs.

For example, adding a car seat could cost you an extra €40 while adding an additional driver could cost twice that.

Step 5: What to do when collecting your car hire in Ireland

It’s at this point that, if you didn’t thoroughly review the Ts&Cs of your booking, that you can be hit with unexpected fees that’ll ensure your trip is started off on the wrong note.

Here are some other things to do when picking up your car hire in Ireland:

1. Inspect the car in detail

One of two things will happen when you’re handed the keys to the car.

1. Most likely: You’ll be given a few pages detailing the rental agreement and explaining the damage present on the car
2. Occasionally happens: The person dealing with your booking will accompany you to your car.

If you’ve been handed a sheet that has a diagram that shows the damage on the car, verify that it’s all correct. Then ensure that there’s no unaccounted for damage INSIDE OR OUT.

2. Take photos

For added insurance when renting a car in Ireland, take out your phone and photograph all damage that’s currently inside and outside of the car.

This ensures that there’s no issue when you’re dropping the car back.

3. Who ya gonna call

Hopefully you’ll have no issues with your car hire in Ireland, but I’ve heard of countless breakdowns and accidents, both minor and major, over the years.

It’s worth knowing exactly who to call in each situation. If someone has been injured, call the Gardaí (the Irish police) on 999 or 112.

4. Fuel type

Hopefully this goes without saying, but you need to be clear about whether the car takes petrol or diesel.

Now, the chances are they’ll have a sticker with ‘D’ or ‘P’ above the tank to indicate petrol or diesel.

Keep in mind that many Ireland car rental insurance policies don’t cover you sticking the wrong fuel in the rental.

Step 6: What to do when dropping off your rental

The final step in our renting a car in Ireland guide is the drop-off and it’s worth being vigilant to the very end.

I’ve heard of PLENTY of people that have dropped a vehicle back to one of the Irish car rental companies only to discover a random charge on their card weeks later.

1. Checking the car

A member of the rental company will check the rental car over inside and out for any damage that wasn’t present when you picked it up.

If the employee disputes something that was already there when you collected the car, whip out your phone and show them the picture you took upon collection.

Keep in mind that the condition of the vehicle needs to be confirmed by the employee and signed. Ensure that you get a receipt before leaving.

2. Returning the car outside of working hours

If you have to drop your car back outside of normal working hours, check with the company in advance to ensure you’re fully aware of the process.

There is usually a dedicated area where you have to leave the car.

Any time that I have to do this, I take a picture of the car in the designated drop off area just in case something happens to it after I’ve left it off.

3. Keep an eye on your credit card

I’ve a friend who rented a car in Dublin for two days recently. All was fine with the car and he dropped it back after his trip.

Two weeks later he noticed a random charge on one of his credit cards from the car hire company. When he queried it, he was told it was for tyre damage.

Luckily, he had a video that he took before he drove the car that showed scuff marks on the alloy. They eventually accepted that he didn’t cause the damage and refunded him.

The best car rental companies in Ireland

We get asked what are the best car rental companies in Ireland quite a bit and, to be completely honest, it’s a question that’s tricky to answer.

I’ve had either first or second hand experience with 3 to 4 of the main car rental companies in Ireland, and the experiences were all fairly similar.

So, I’ve left the comments section open below – if you’ve experience with renting a car in Ireland and you have a company that you’d like to recommend, shout away.

And if you’re looking to compare prices, please do consider booking through Discover Cars (4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot from 160,000+ reviews at the time of typing) as you’ll help us keep this website going.

Since first publishing this guide, the most FAQ has revolved around ‘How to rent a car in Ireland as an American?’. If you’re visiting from the US, you’ll need to hold a national driving licence and an international driving permit.