car rental 2 years driving required

whomitconcerns

Hi All,

Am driving about 5 years (34yo), didn't need a car before then and was travelling for work a lot last while. Anyway long story short I had a few gaps and went and did my test and got full licence last year.

Did have a car in my own name back in Ireland till recently but sold it as am overseas still and have 5 years NCB. Went to hire a car for a trip home in 3 weeks and am told that you need to have a full licence more than 2 years to hire..

Enterprise seem to be the only company that I can hire from, does anyone know of others? They definitely aint the cheapest. Company has acs with hertz and avis but both say 2 years....

Thanks!

slave1

Thereby handing Avis a get out clause should you find yourself in bother with the car via an accident etc

hondasam

OSI wrote: »

I've rented with Avis with less than 2 years experience. They don't check, even if they do, just say the licence is a renewal.

Who are you kidding here Avis or yourself? Do you read the small print before signing?

listermint

Ive never seen this clause on any car rentals ive had , UK / US or on the continent.

hondasam

OSI wrote: »

See the above.

what? you are saying to lie about the licence because they don't check but what if you have an accident?

HAMMERCURRENT

hondasam wrote: »

what? you are saying to lie about the licence because they don't check but what if you have an accident?

On my Licence the date it was first issued (not renewed)is printed on it, I assume this is the case for all Irish licences.

whomitconcerns

interesting points raised...i am unsure if it would actually be in the written T&C's its on the online ones, but i wonder if its a deal breaker...I imagine it couldn't invalidate the insurance anyway....but hmm

Definitely in AVIS online T&Cs very first point..so no online booking thats for sure...

Avis Ireland Terms and Conditions

Driving LicenceCustomers must have been eligible to hold a valid driver’s licence for 8 years of which 2 must be at a full driver’s licence qualification.

hondasam

OSI wrote: »

You sign for the rental of the car, which includes agreeing to the terms and conditions, no where in the terms and conditions you sign, does it state that you must have your full licence for 2 years.

OSI wrote: »

They don't check, even if they do, just say the licence is a renewal.

You still said to lie and say the lic is a renewal. The op was told he needs to have his d/lic two years.

HAMMERCURRENT wrote: »

On my Licence the date it was first issued (not renewed)is printed on it, I assume this is the case for all Irish licences.

Yes.

firefly08

I have a replacement license, where the date of issue is the date it was replaced, and it is way less than 2 years. I also have a US license with less than 2 years on the date. I have used both licenses to rent from Enterprise, Budget, Avis and Hertz, all in Dublin airport. They never make an issue of it in my experience. Did you actually try to rent and they turned you away, or you did you just read this on their website?

whomitconcerns

i am flying home on the first, wanted to organize in advance, hence the query, but I guess I will just go to desk and see what happens...

fasttalkerchat

I was turned away online because of my age but on the phone they didn't mention it. I asked if being 20 (at the time) would be a problem and they said only at the airport branch.

whomitconcerns

i just checked and most of the others say 2 years now also...seems incredibly excessive...guess they just dont need the business.

seamus

Try Dan Dooley. I definitely rented off them with less than two years experience. 'twas ten years ago though.

whomitconcerns

seamus wrote: »

Try Dan Dooley. I definitely rented off them with less than two years experience. 'twas ten years ago though.

From Dans website:

"Drivers Licence: Drivers must be in possession of a full unendorsed driving licence and be driving on a regular basis for 2 years prior to the commencement of the rental..."

Will try but thanks anyway

EDIT: Interesting it actually says "be driving on a regular basis for 2 years prior to the commencement " i guess my 5 years NCB proves that! It doesnt say licence has to be held for 2 years!

Colonel Sanders

I rented a car in America & I was only a full licence holder about 3 months!

whomitconcerns

Colonel Sanders wrote: »

I rented a car in America & I was only a full licence holder about 3 months!

Yep America doesn't have these rules..it appears to be just some countries in Europe.