Key takeaway
Everything about renting a car in Ireland: licence requirements, insurance excess, costs, and driving on the left for newcomers in 2025.
Renting a car opens up rural Ireland far beyond what public transport can reach, but Irish car rental has quirks — particularly around insurance excess — that catch newcomers out. Here's what to know.
What Licence Do You Need to Rent a Car in Ireland?
EU/EEA licences are valid for driving and renting in Ireland with no conversion needed. Non-EU licence holders can typically drive and rent using their home licence plus an International Driving Permit (IDP) for a limited period after arrival (usually 12 months), after which you generally need to exchange for an Irish licence or pass an Irish driving test — the rules depend on your original country, with 'exchange' agreements allowing direct swaps for licences from certain countries (like a wide range of EU-equivalent and select other nations) and requiring a full test for others. Check current rules on ndls.ie.
What Age Restrictions Apply?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 23–25 years old with a minimum of 1–2 years' driving experience. Drivers under 25 (sometimes under 23) usually face a 'young driver surcharge' of €10–€25+ per day on top of the base rental rate.
How Much Does Car Rental Cost in Ireland?
Expect €30–€70 per day for a compact car outside peak season, rising sharply in summer (June–August) to €60–€120+ per day, especially around Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. Booking well in advance for summer travel is strongly recommended as availability tightens.
What's the Deal With Insurance Excess in Ireland?
Irish car rental is notorious for high Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) excess — often €1,000–€1,500 that you're liable for if the car is damaged, even with 'basic insurance' included in the rental price. Many renters buy separate 'excess reducer' insurance (from independent providers, often much cheaper than the rental company's own add-on) to cover this gap — this can cost as little as €4–€8 per day versus €20–€30+ per day from the rental desk.
Driving on the Left
Ireland drives on the left, like the UK. If you're used to right-hand driving, take extra care at roundabouts (go clockwise) and junctions for the first few days. Speed limits are in kilometres per hour: generally 50km/h in towns, 80–100km/h on regional/national roads, and 120km/h on motorways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Ireland with a non-EU driving licence?
Yes, generally for up to 12 months using your home licence plus an International Driving Permit, after which you typically need to exchange for an Irish licence or pass an Irish test, depending on your country of origin.
Why is car rental insurance excess so high in Ireland?
Standard rental insurance in Ireland often only reduces your liability to €1,000–€1,500 excess rather than zero; many renters buy separate low-cost excess reducer insurance to close this gap.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Ireland?
Most companies require drivers to be at least 23–25, with under-25s typically facing a young driver surcharge of €10–€25+ per day.
Does Ireland drive on the left or right?
Ireland drives on the left, the same as the UK, which can take a few days of extra caution to adjust to for drivers from right-hand-drive countries.
When is car rental most expensive in Ireland?
Summer months (June–August) see the highest prices and lowest availability, so booking several weeks or months ahead is strongly advised for travel during this period.
General guidance only. Always verify with official sources — gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie, hse.ie.