Wondering what kind of age restrictions apply to car rental in New Zealand? Although each rental provider is slightly different in their rules and exceptions, there are some general age requirements that apply to most rental providers. These requirements include:
If you are under the age of 25, you may have to pay a Young Driver Surcharge, which is a daily fee applied by the rental provider. You may also be restricted to certain vehicle types. Surcharge amounts and specific restrictions will vary between rental providers, so it’s best to check their terms and conditions for exact information.
Some rental providers will ask drivers over the age of 75 to provide a medical certificate confirming they are fit to drive. If you wish to know whether this applies to you, we suggest reaching out to the depot you will be collecting your rental car from.
Some rental providers will rent their vehicles to drivers aged 18 and older, though many providers do require drivers to be at least 21 years old.
I don’t have a full licence yet. Can I still rent a car?
As a general rule, car rental providers will not rent their vehicles to learner or provisional drivers. The person listed as the driver must possess a full, unrestricted licence along with anyone nominated as an additional driver. However, because every rental provider is different, we suggest contacting your prospective pick-up location ahead of time to confirm their requirements.
If you are at least 21 years old and have held a full, unrestricted licence for more than 12 months, you will generally be approved by the following rental providers:
Some of these providers may also allow drivers under 21 to rent with them.
Every provider has their own conditions and exceptions, so we recommend doing some research and contacting your prospective provider if you’re under the age of 25. And remember, an additional young driver surcharge may apply if you’re under 25 years old.
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