Can I hire a car if I’ve just passed my driving test?

Many newly qualified drivers wonder whether they can hire a vehicle soon after passing their test. The answer is usually "it depends."  

At Rent Direct, we provide vehicles for hire and can answer all the questions new drivers may have about hiring a car. By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly who can hire, what, where and how much it will cost. 

Can a New Driver Rent a Car in the UK?

New drivers who’ve held a licence for less than 12 months will have difficulty finding car rental companies that will allow them to hire a vehicle. 

This comes down to insurance: to underwriters, new drivers mean a higher risk of accidents. Unfortunately, it has been statistically proven by the Department of Transport, which reported that in 2024, 4,740 people were killed or seriously injured in a crash involving a young driver. 

Brake also reported that 1 in 5 new drivers crash within a year of passing their test, making an even more compelling case for insurance and car hire companies to require at least 12 months of driving experience, with most requiring 24 months. 

However, some car rental companies will allow you to hire a vehicle with a licence that is less than 12 months old if you’re over 25. 

What Is the Minimum Age to Rent a Car in the UK?

The minimum age to rent a car in the UK is 21; however, most car rental companies, including Rent Direct, require you to be at least 23. Generally speaking, if you’re under 25, you're still considered a young driver, which often adds a surcharge that varies widely across companies but typically ranges from £20 to £70 per day. 

I’ve Just Got My Licence. Can I Rent a Car Abroad?

As in the UK, most countries abroad will require you to have held your licence for at least one year before you can rent a car. However, there’s a silver lining: many car rental companies abroad have a lower age requirement depending on the country. 

*Age requirements will vary depending on the car rental company 

What Cars Can Young Drivers Hire? 

Young drivers are usually limited to mini, economy and compact car categories. Cars in these categories include:  

• Fiat 500 
• Toyota Aygo
• Ford Focus 
• Vauxhall Corsa

Car Hire at Rent Direct

Here at Rent Direct, we offer vehicle hire to drivers in East Anglia and beyond. Like all major, reputable car hire companies in the UK, we have minimum age and experience requirements for our fleet.

New drivers must have at least 2 years of driving experience before renting a car or van from us. As a motorist, you must have held a full UK driving licence for at least 24 months. As we own all our vehicles, we are responsible for their upkeep and do everything we can to ensure they are enjoyed by our customers time and time again.  

Drivers must hold a full UK driving licence and be at least 23-years-old to be eligible for car or van hire from Rent Direct. When hiring a vehicle, drivers under 25 years old will be required to pay a young driver surcharge, which we’ll discuss with you upon booking.

Take a look at our Hiring Criteria page for further details. If you have any questions, please contact us by calling one of our branches or filling out the online enquiry form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.  

Car hire for new drivers FAQs

Do you have a question about hiring a car as a new or young driver? Take a look at our most frequently asked questions to find out more:

Can I hire a car in my first year of driving?

No. To hire a car in the UK, drivers must have at least 12 months of driving experience. Some car rental companies make exceptions for new drivers over the age of 25 

Can you rent a car aged 21 in the UK?

Depends on the Rental Company. For most, the minimum age to rent a car in the UK is 23-years-old. 

Can you rent a car if you’re under 25?

Yes. You can rent a car in the UK if you’re between the ages of 23 and 25. Anyone aged under 25 will be required to pay a young driver's surcharge to hire a car.

Can you rent a van if you’re under 25?

Yes. It is possible to hire a van if you’re aged 25 or under, but there will be restrictions and limitations, plus you’ll be required to pay a young drivers surcharge. Here at Rent Direct, drivers aged 23 and 24 can hire one of our smallest van models.

What documentation do I need to rent a car with Rent Direct?

To hire a car with Rent Direct, you'll need: 

• Driving licence 
• Signed payment card (credit or debit) 
• Proof of address, which can be a bank statement, utility bills, or an HMRC Tax statement no older than three months.

Look out for your booking confirmation email, which reminds you of the required documentation and provides an email address to send your documents to us.