Are you looking to rent a car? Before you can grab the keys and hit the road, there are a few standard legal and insurance requirements to rent a car. While general UK car rental rules allow some rentals from age 21, many independent companies often have slightly different criteria.
To rent a car from Fairview Vehicle Hire, drivers need to be between the ages of 23 and 75, hold a full UK driving licence and provide proof of address.
We will cover all the requirements you need to hire a car in the UK, so your rental process is as simple as possible.
Am I Eligible to Rent a Car in the UK?
To legally rent a car in the UK, you must have the right personal documentation, some of which you will need to bring with you on the collection day.
Quick Checklist: What to Bring on Collection Day
- Your full valid DVLA driving licence (held for at least 2 years)
- Proof of address dated within the last 3 months (more than one may be needed)
- Credit or debit card in the main hirer’s name
- Details of any additional drivers you want to add
- Your passport (only required if you are an international visitor)
What Documents Do You Need to Rent a Car in the UK?
Think of the documents you need to rent a car in two parts: proving you are legally allowed to drive and proving you live where you say you live.
1. Your Driving Licence and the DVLA Check Code
You must present a full valid driving licence issued by the DVLA, held for at least two years. Since UK licences no longer have paper counterparts showing your penalty points, you’ll also need to generate a DVLA Check Code. This is a one-time DVLA check passcode via the government website that allows your vehicle hiring company to verify points on your licence.
How to get your DVLA check code for a car hire: Head to the GOV.UK “View Driving Licence” service online just before your trip. You’ll need your National Insurance number and licence number. It generates a temporary, one-time passcode. Give this code to your car hire providers so they can quickly verify your licence status online.
2. Proof of Address
To satisfy fleet insurance requirements, you need to prove your current address with official paperwork dated within the last three months.
| Accepted Documents to Rent a Car | Details and Rules |
| Utility Bills | Gas, electricity, water, or broadband bills. (Mobile phone bills are rarely accepted). |
| Financial Statements | Bank or credit card statements showing recent activity. |
| Government Letters | Council tax bills, HMRC letters, or official DWP documentation. |
The name and address on these documents must match the details on your driving licence.
At Fairview Vehicle Hire, we often accept digital copies on your phone, but it is always best to confirm with your specific Fairview branch before collection.
How Old Do You Need to Be to Rent a Car?
The legal minimum across the UK car hire industry ranges between 21 and 25, age limits vary depending on the rental company and the type of vehicle.
At Fairview Vehicle Hire, our car hire age requirement is between 23 and 75 years old.
- Under 25? Drivers aged 23 and 24 may face a “young driver surcharge.”
- Over 70? Drivers between 70 and 75 are also subject to insurer approval to ensure you’re fully covered.
For a full breakdown of car rental ages and how Fairview’s policy compares, read: How Old Do You Have to Be to Hire a Car in the UK?
Can You Add Additional Drivers to Hire Cars?
Absolutely. If you are planning a long road trip or just want to split the time behind the wheel, sharing the drive is easy. You can add additional drivers as an optional extra, but they must meet the exact same criteria as the primary hirer.
Every extra driver needs to present their valid licence, generate their own DVLA check code, and fit within our insurer’s age guidelines.
One thing to keep in mind is you must add additional drivers at the branch before you set off. Insurance cannot be updated retroactively once the hire period has started.
What Disqualifies You From Renting a Car?
We love to get people moving and on the road as soon as possible, but several factors can result in a car hire being declined. The most common ones at Fairview are:
- The most common disqualifying factors include:
- Holding a provisional licence rather than a full one.
- Having held your full licence for less than two years.
- Falling outside the 23-75 age bracket without prior insurer clearance.
- Having more than 6 penalty points currently active on your licence.
- Any major driving bans (like a drink-driving conviction) within the last 5 years.
- More than one at-fault accident within the last three years.
- Failing to provide a valid proof of address or a working DVLA check code.
How Can I Rent a Car With Fairview?
You can rent a car with Fairview Vehicle Hire through the Fairview online booking system or via the Fairview app. Our app lets you submit your documents once and reuse them for future bookings.
If you prefer to book your car rental by phone, the team is available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm.
Fairview has branches at Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, Kensington, Battersea, Egham and Maidenhead.
Browse the full vehicle hire range to find the right vehicle for your journey, or contact the team with any questions before you book.
Learn more about how to rent a car in the UK.
FAQS
Do You Do Background Checks for Car Rentals?
UK car hire companies do not typically run criminal background checks in the same way an employer might. However, the DVLA check code process does give Fairview a verified view of your driving record, including penalty points, endorsements and any disqualifications.
Your driving history is checked, your identity is verified against your documents and your licence details are confirmed. This ensures the person driving away with a valuable asset is legally permitted to do so.
Can You Rent a Car in the UK with an International Driver’s Licence?
Yes, you can book a car rental in the UK with an international driver’s licence. The exact requirements depend entirely on where your licence was issued:
- EU and EEA Licences: Fully accepted in the UK without an International Driving Permit
- US, Australian and Canadian Licences: Accepted by Fairview, provided it’s in English, valid and features a photograph. No International Driving Permit (IDP) required.
- Non-English or Non-Roman Script Licences: You will legally require an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official certified translation alongside your original domestic licence.
All international hirers must still meet our core requirements: be aged 23-75, have held their licence for at least 2 years and provide a valid passport on arrival.
For the full details on overseas driver’s licence requirements, read:
