Senior Car Hire
Are you a senior driver searching for a good deal on car hire and trying to avoid the fees that some suppliers charge?
Car rental suppliers will have age limits. For most, they only rent out a vehicle if the driver is over 21 and has held a licence for one or two years. When it comes to senior drivers, some suppliers will also impose an upper age limit. These suppliers will in most cases still rent to older drivers, but they may impose a senior driving fee. A senior driving fee is simply an additional daily amount. Some claim the extra charges are required by their insurance provider to cover additional risk.
The good news is that fewer companies are being restrictive and many will rent to anyone up to age 99 — and many will not impose a senior driving fee at all.
For age-specific guidance, including which suppliers will rent to over 70s and over 75s worldwide, visit our dedicated car hire for over 70s guide.
When searching for MPV rentals, always specify the exact age of the youngest driver. This ensures you only see offers that include the necessary young driver insurance, giving you a transparent view of the total cost with no surprises at the desk.
Is it illegal to hire a car if you are over 70?
No. There is no law in the UK, EU, USA, Australia or most other countries that makes it illegal to hire a car to a driver over 70.
Any car rental company that declines to rent to a driver over 70 is applying its own commercial policy, not following a legal requirement. The majority of major worldwide suppliers will rent to drivers well into their 80s and 90s. As long as you hold a valid driving licence you have every right to hire a car.
- Enterprise, Hertz and Sixt have no upper age limit at most worldwide locations
- Many specialist suppliers rent to drivers up to age 99
- A senior driver fee may apply with some suppliers but is never a legal requirement
- Your valid driving licence is all that is required to hire a car as a senior driver
Car Rental Age Limits: A 2026 Global Overview
The good news for senior drivers in 2026 is that the situation has improved significantly. Most major worldwide suppliers have removed upper age limits entirely, but policies still vary by country, supplier and even individual pickup location. Here is what you need to know.
How age limits vary by country
Local and regional suppliers are often far more flexible and better value than the big international brands. Here is a country by country breakdown.
The most senior-driver-friendly region in the world. No upper age limits and no senior fees with most major suppliers. Enterprise, Alamo and National are particularly good options. See our full guide to 7 seater car hire USA for more details.
Enterprise and Hertz have no upper age limit. Avis and Europcar apply a limit of 75 with case-by-case exceptions above this age. Always check the specific branch terms before booking. See our 7 seater car hire UK guide for full supplier details.
There is no national maximum age law for car hire in Spain. Local and regional suppliers are often more flexible and better value than the big international brands, and many charge no senior driver fee at all. A senior surcharge of €40 to €160 per rental period is rare but worth checking before you book. See our 7 seater car hire Spain guide for supplier details.
Portugal is very relaxed on upper age limits. Local suppliers including Record-Go, OK Mobility, Avis and Budget all operate with no upper age limit and no senior driver fee at Lisbon and Faro. Many local operators will rent to drivers up to age 80 and above. A medical certificate is advisable for drivers over 80. See our 7 seater car hire Portugal guide for full details.
Italy is one of the most relaxed countries in Europe for senior drivers. Many suppliers rent freely to age 80 and above. Sicily by Car and Surprice Italy have no senior driver fee at all. Maggiore and Felirent apply a senior fee over age 75 but both rent up to age 80. A medical certificate is advisable for drivers over 80. See our 7 seater car hire Italy guide for full supplier details.
France is generally straightforward for senior drivers. Enterprise and Sixt have no upper age limit. Senior fees of €5 to €8 per day commonly apply over 70 with some brands. Most suppliers rent freely to age 75. See our 7 seater car hire France guide for full details.
Germany has no national maximum age law for car hire. Sixt, which is a German brand, has no upper age limit and is an excellent option for senior drivers across Germany. Most major international brands rent freely to age 75. See our 7 seater car hire Germany guide for more details.
Very senior-driver-friendly. Major international brands apply no upper age limit across Australia and New Zealand. Smaller local operators may vary so always check at time of booking. See our 7 seater car hire Australia guide for full details.
Greece can be more variable than other European destinations. Sixt and Enterprise apply their standard no-limit policy. Smaller local suppliers may impose a 70 or 75 age ceiling. Booking with a recognised international brand is advisable for senior drivers visiting Greece. See our 7 seater car hire Greece guide for more details.
The most important thing to know
Age limits and senior driver fees vary not just by supplier but by country, region and individual pickup location. Local suppliers are often more flexible and better value than the big international brands. Always compare both local and international options before booking. Our search tool does this automatically, showing only suppliers who will rent to your exact age at your chosen destination, with all fees included in the displayed price.
Car Hire Age Limits by Supplier — Over 70s Guide
The table below shows the maximum age and senior driver fee policy for the major worldwide car rental suppliers. Use this to identify which brands will rent to you and whether a senior fee will apply.
| Supplier | Maximum age | Senior fee from | Senior driver fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | No limit | No fee | No fee | Best option worldwide for drivers over 70. Minimum age 25. |
| National | No limit | No fee | No fee | Sister company to Enterprise. Same senior-friendly policy. |
| Alamo | No limit | No fee | No fee | Sister company to Enterprise. No upper age limit at most locations. |
| Hertz | No limit | No fee | No fee | No upper age limit at most worldwide locations. |
| Sixt | No limit | No fee | No fee | No upper age limit at most worldwide locations. Some country exceptions apply. |
| Goldcar | No limit | No fee | No fee | Common in Spain, Portugal and Greece. No upper age limit at most locations. |
| Interrent | No limit | No fee | No fee | Budget brand under Europcar Group. No upper age limit at most locations. |
| Avis | Typically 80 | Age 70 | Fee may apply | Senior fee may apply over 70 depending on country and location. |
| Budget | Typically 75 to 80 | Age 70 | Fee may apply | Same ownership as Avis. Policies vary significantly by country. |
| Thrifty | Typically 79 | Age 70 | Fee may apply | Check location-specific terms before booking. |
| Centauro | Typically 74 | Age 70 | Senior supplement | Specialist supplement applies. Common in Spain and Mediterranean locations. |
| Easirent | Typically 75 | Age 70 | Fee may apply | UK based supplier. Check location-specific terms before booking. |
| Europcar | Typically 70 to 75 | Age 65 | Fee may apply | One of the more restrictive major brands. Always check local terms carefully. |
| Keddy | Typically 70 | Age 65 | Fee may apply | Budget brand under Europcar Group. More restrictive age policy. |
| Firefly | Typically 69 | Age 65 | Restrictive | One of the most restrictive brands for senior drivers. Budget brand under Hertz Group. |
| Record | Typically 69 | Age 65 | Restrictive | More restrictive age policy. Check terms carefully before booking. |
Age limits and senior driver fees vary by country and individual pickup location. The figures above are typical policies. Always check the rental conditions for your specific destination before booking. Our search tool shows the exact terms and any fees for your chosen location automatically.
Car Hire for Over 70s by Country
Age limits and senior driver fees vary significantly by country. Local and regional suppliers are often more flexible and better value than the big international brands. Here is what to expect in the most popular destinations.
Italy is one of the most relaxed countries in Europe for senior drivers. Many suppliers rent freely to age 80 and above. Sicily by Car and Surprice Italy have no senior driver fee at all. A medical certificate is advisable for drivers over 80.
- Maggiore — maximum age 80. Senior driver fee applies over age 75
- Felirent — maximum age 80. Senior driver fee applies over age 75
- Sicily by Car — maximum age 80. No senior driver fee
- Surprice Italy — maximum age 80. No senior driver fee
- Drivalia — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
See our full 7 seater car hire Italy guide for more details.
There is no national maximum age law for car hire in Spain. Local and regional suppliers are often more flexible and better value than the big international brands. A senior surcharge of €40 to €160 per rental period can apply with some suppliers but is rare.
- Enterprise Spain — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
- Sixt Spain — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
- Goldcar — no upper age limit at most Spanish locations
- Centauro — maximum age 74. Senior supplement applies
See our full 7 seater car hire Spain guide for more details.
Portugal is very relaxed on upper age limits. Local suppliers at Lisbon and Faro are particularly good for senior drivers, with several offering no upper age limit and no senior driver fee at all.
- Record-Go — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
- OK Mobility — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
- Avis Portugal — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
- Budget Portugal — no upper age limit. No senior driver fee
See our full 7 seater car hire Portugal guide for more details.
The Czech Republic has a mixed picture for senior drivers. Some local suppliers are more restrictive while others are very flexible. Always check the specific supplier terms before booking.
- Carwiz — maximum age 99. Senior driver fee applies over age 71
- GreenMotion — maximum age 70 only
- Rent Plus — maximum age 75
- Panek Prague Airport — no maximum age. No senior driver fee
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a small number of suppliers. Most have a maximum age of 85 with senior fees applying above 72. Sixt is the best option for senior drivers here with no upper age limit.
- OTOQ Car Rental — maximum age 85. Senior driver fee applies over age 72
- Drive 365 — maximum age 85. Senior driver fee applies over age 72
- Sixt — no maximum age. No senior driver fee
Greece can be more variable than other European destinations. Sixt and Enterprise apply their standard no-limit policy across Greece. Smaller local suppliers may impose a 70 or 75 age ceiling so booking with a recognised international brand is advisable.
See our full 7 seater car hire Greece guide for more details.
The USA and Canada are the most senior-driver-friendly destinations in the world. No upper age limits and no senior fees with most major suppliers. Enterprise, Alamo, National and Hertz are all excellent options.
See our full 7 seater car hire USA guide for more details.
How to find car hire for senior drivers
Our booking engine automatically filters results by your age. Here is how to set it up in two simple steps.
Enter your destination and travel dates
Type your pickup location and select your travel dates in the booking engine. Then click on the driver age field — by default it assumes a driver aged 25–65.
Select your actual age at pickup
Change the age to match how old you will be when you collect the car. In the example below, age 76 has been selected. The results will then show only suppliers who will rent to a driver of your age at your chosen destination.
Any senior driver fee will be included in the displayed price — there are no surprises at the rental desk. You can also view the full supplier rental conditions before confirming your booking.
If a senior driver fee applies, how much will it be?
If there’s a senior driver fee, you’ll see it included in the prices displayed. You can find more details in the Driver Requirements section of the Rental Conditions.
Example, below of a supplier carwiz in Prague that charges a senior driver fee. As you can see the fee is clearly displayed, prior to booking. At this destination Wheego offers car rental for seniors with out adding any punitve charges so you do have choice!
Car Rental Age Limits by Major Brand
Age limits vary significantly between suppliers. Some of the biggest names in car rental — including Enterprise, Sixt and Hertz — have no upper age limit at all. Others such as Firefly and Europcar can be more restrictive. The chart below shows the upper age limit for each major brand, followed by a full breakdown including senior driver fees.
Senior driver upper age limits by brand
Full brand comparison including senior driver fees
| Supplier | Maximum age | Senior driver fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | No limit | No fee | One of the best options worldwide for senior drivers. Minimum age 25. |
| National | No limit | No fee | Sister company to Enterprise. Same senior-friendly policy worldwide. |
| Alamo | No limit | No fee | Sister company to Enterprise. No upper age limit at most worldwide locations. |
| Sixt | No limit | No fee | No upper age limit at most worldwide locations. Some country exceptions apply. |
| Hertz | No limit | No fee | No upper age limit at most worldwide locations. Recommended for UK drivers via Saga. |
| Interrent | No limit | No fee | Budget brand under the Europcar Group. No upper age limit at most locations. |
| Goldcar | No limit | No fee | Common in Spain, Portugal and Greece. No upper age limit at most locations. |
| Avis | Typically 80 | Fee may apply | Senior fee may apply over 70 depending on country and location. Check T&Cs. |
| Budget | Typically 75 to 80 | Fee may apply | Same ownership as Avis. Policies vary significantly by country. |
| Thrifty | Typically 79 | Fee may apply | Check location-specific terms before booking. |
| Centauro | Typically 74 | Senior supplement | Specialist supplement applies. Common in Spain and Mediterranean locations. |
| Easirent | Typically 75 | Fee may apply | Check location-specific terms. UK based supplier. |
| Europcar | Typically 70 to 75 | Fee may apply | One of the more restrictive major brands for senior drivers. Always check local terms. |
| Keddy | Typically 70 | Fee may apply | Budget brand under Europcar Group. More restrictive age policy. |
| Firefly | Typically 69 | Restrictive | One of the most restrictive brands for senior drivers. Budget brand under Hertz Group. |
| Record | Typically 69 | Restrictive | More restrictive age policy. Check terms carefully before booking. |
Age limits and senior driver fees vary by country and individual pickup location. The figures above are typical policies — always check the rental conditions for your specific destination before booking. Our search tool shows the exact terms and any fees for your chosen location automatically.