Driver's Requirements, Rules & Restrictions - Sixt Car Hire FAQs

1.     How old do I need to be to drive a hire vehicle?

In Great Britain, the following rules apply for the minimum age and possession of a driver's licence:

• 21 years and held licence for a minimum of 1 year for mostly compact and economy vehicles in groups – M***, E***, CD**, CL**, CW**, CF**

• 23 years and held licence for a minimum of 1 year for vehicles in groups – ID**, IW**, IV**, IT**, IF**

• 25 years and held licence for a minimum of 1 year for vehicles in groups – CC**, IL**, S***, F***, P***, L***

• 25 years and held licence for a minimum of 3 years for vehicles in groups – COMN, CNMN

• 30 years and held licence for a minimum of 3 years for vehicles in groups – X***

• Driving licence for vehicle groups COMN and CNMN must include approval for category D1.

Please note that a driver CPC certificate/ card is required in case of commercial use of these vehicle groups. If you do not hold a British licence but wish to rent a COMN or CNMN please call to check for any restrictions.
 

• Non-EU citizens can drive vehicles with up to 9 passenger seats (FVMR). Please contact your Sixt local rental branch or our Hotline +44 (0)844 499 3399

• A Young Driver Surcharge of £36.00 per day applies for drivers under the age of 25

For vans the following age restrictions apply:

• 21 years and held licence for a minimum of 1 year for vehicles in groups A, B, V.
• 23 years and held licence for a minimum of 1 year for vehicles in groups S.
• 25 years and held licence for a minimum of 3 years for vehicles in groups J, L, O, P, W.

We may elect, at our discretion, to pass your reservation of a vehicle to another business with whom we have a referral arrangement in place. If we do so, we act as agent for that other business. This means that when we pass your reservation over to that other business:

• We will have no further obligation to you; and
• Your agreement for the rental of the vehicle will be with the other company and not with us.
• Deposits will be obtained by the other business before vehicle is hired.
• The deposit amount will not exceed the excess value and
• Minimum age requirements and insurance excess amounts may differ

For an explanation of our vehicle groups, please visit our Fleet Guide.

2.     How long do I need to have held my driver’s license for to rent with Sixt?

All drivers (including any additional drivers) have to be in possession / have held a valid full driving licence for at least 12 months.
 

IMPORTANT – Further restrictions apply dependent on driver age and type of vehicle required. Please refer to the FAQs on "Rules and Regulations – Question 1 ‘How old do I need to be to drive a hire vehicle?’" for further information, just above this question.  Non EU citizens can drive vehicles with up to a maximum of 9 seats (FVMR).

Please see the respective terms of rental for full details and other countries terms via our Rental Information page.

4.     What proof of Identification (ID) / documents do I need to bring with me when collecting the vehicle?

1.  A Full / Valid Driver's Licence for all named drivers. This may be 1 of the following:

• Plastic part of your Drivers licence

OR

• The old style paper driving licence (issued before the Plastic Photo card licence was introduced in 1998 (you can still hire a Sixt car with this).

2.  Driver’s details of all Endorsements / Points =  Since the 8^th June 2015, in the form, of A DVLA Check Code (which replaces the paper counterpart that was abolished on the 8^th June 2015).

3.   A credit card or Sixt Express card. The credit card must be in the name of the main driver.

Please note:         

Customers who are paying by debit card should also bring a recent (within the last 3 months) additional form of identification in addition to a passport such as an identity card, utility bill, recent council tax or tendency agreement, or bank statement. Driving licenses printed with non-Roman Alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic etc.) must be complemented by an International driving licence.

4.  A passport (mandatory for all customers with a Non-EU licence) or valid identity card (for proof of identity).  Customers who hold a Sixt Express card do not require a passport.

5.   Proof of address e.g. Utility bill, bank statements within the last 3 months.

5.   So I no longer need to present both parts of my UK driving licence at the Sixt desk?

No, since the 8th June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photo card driving licence will no longer be valid so will not need to be presented (unless you only have an old style paper licence issued before 1998).

The counter paper part licence showed a Driver’s points / endorsements.  This has been replaced with a ‘DVLA Check Code’.The code lets you check your/a driver’s details including any endorsements.

You will need to produce this a ‘DVLA Check Code’ in replacement of the counter paper part though. To create such a code, you need to visit the DVLA website and input your –

• Driving licence number
• National Insurance (NI) Number
• Home Postcode

The ‘DVLA Code’ will generate and be valid for now 21 days (originally it was for 72 hours). The Code can be redeemed/viewed just the once before the expiry date.  Up to 5 codes can be generated within a 24 hour period (applicable for multiple rentals).  Presenting this code to the member of Sixt staff allows them to check your driving entitlements and any endorsements.

Alternatively you may turn up with just your NI number and we/any of our corporate branches can obtain this for you subject to a fee.  Please note that this is only applicable to holders of UK driving licenses. If we are unable to obtain this information online we may be able to check your details over the telephone.

7.     When is an additional day charged?

All rentals are charged per 24 hours e.g. a 24-hour rental is one day, where a rental exceeds 24 hours an additional days charge will apply.

9.     What are the Terms and Conditions for hiring a vehicle?

To view our full terms and conditions please visit our Rental Information page.

10.   Do I need an international drivers licence when renting abroad?

A UK licence is generally accepted for rentals within the EU without an International Permit. Please see the respective terms of rental for the hiring country for full details via our Rental information page.

19.  Can I leave the vehicle empty of fuel?

Yes, but the refuelling cost will be charged to you at a rate significantly higher than the average pump price.  If you do not believe you will have time to refuel or are unsure of the nearest fuel station we offer a pre-paid fuel option, which would most likely benefit you. By choosing the pre-paid fuel option, we would add a charge to your rental for the cost of a full tank of fuel at a price much closer to the average pump price, the vehicle can then be returned empty with the added piece of mind that you will not incur any additional fuelling costs.