What you need to rent a car in Iceland
Last updated: 8 November 2026
Prepared by Ring Road Cars at Keflavík Airport and checked against the official sources listed at the end of this page.
Short answer
Every driver must be at least 20 — 25 for SUVs, 4×4s and vans, which drivers aged 20–24 can rent at our discretion for a young driver fee of €15 per day — and show a physical driving license held for at least one year. The renter needs a physical credit or debit card in their own name for the card hold: €1,000 on bookings made on this website, and none with MAX. A license that is not in the Latin alphabet also needs an International Driving Permit or an approved translation.
Who can drive
- 20 or older for the Everyday cars.
- 25 or older for the Comfort SUVs, 4×4 Adventure, Highland 4×4 and Family & Space vans. At our discretion, drivers aged 20–24 may rent them for a young driver fee of €15 per day.
- No maximum age, and no senior-driver fee.
- Only drivers named on the rental agreement may drive, and each must meet these rules. An additional driver costs €10 per day.
Your driving license
- A physical license for the type of vehicle, with your photo, valid for the whole rental.
- Held for at least one year, without major endorsements or penalty points.
- No digital licenses, screenshots or scans — except an Icelandic digital license checked live through Ísland.is.
A license printed in the Latin alphabet is all you need. If your license is not in the Latin alphabet, bring the original together with an International Driving Permit (IDP). Where your country issues no IDP (for example mainland China), bring a certified translation, or a TIDL, sworn or officially authorized translation, together with your passport.
Driving in Iceland on a foreign license
Iceland recognizes driving licenses from EEA countries, and licenses from other countries for 6 months (Icelandic Transport Authority). For renting with us, the rules above apply in every case.
Your card and the card hold
- A physical credit or debit card in the renter's name, showing the number and expiry date, valid for 90 days after the rental.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are fine for paying, but bring the physical card as well.
- Not accepted: prepaid, purchasing, anonymous and virtual cards.
- We take Visa, Mastercard, American Express, UnionPay, Discover and Diners Club cards, with no card surcharge.
| Your cover | Hold at pickup |
|---|---|
| BASIC + SCDW (included in every price on this website) | €1,000 |
| PLUS | €1,000 |
| MAX | No hold |
| BASIC only (some bookings made through partners) | €3,000 |
A hold is not a charge
The amount is reserved on your card, not charged, and it is not a deposit. It is released after the return; how soon it shows as available again depends on your card issuer.
What each cover includes: Cover & extras.
When you book
- Your email address, phone number and arrival flight number, so that we can meet you at Keflavík Airport.
- Pay now — the listed price, refunded in full if you cancel at least 48 hours before pickup — or pay on arrival, which costs 4% more on the rental, cover and extras. See the cancellation policy.
- The names of any additional drivers, and the child seats you need: a child shorter than 135 cm must travel in a child restraint.
At pickup
- When you have your bags, call or WhatsApp +354 779 9499 and meet our shuttle outside the arrivals hall, at the point named in your confirmation (Airport shuttle).
- At our office, every driver shows their license (with the IDP or translation if needed), and the renter shows the card in their name.
- Check the car together with our team: existing damage goes into the condition report that you sign and keep (How damage works).
Questions about renting a car in Iceland
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Iceland?
20 for the Everyday cars and 25 for SUVs, 4×4s and vans. At our discretion, drivers aged 20–24 can rent those for a young driver fee of €15 per day. There is no maximum age.
Can I rent a car in Iceland with a debit card?
Yes. We accept a physical credit or debit card in the renter's name, both for paying and for the card hold. Prepaid, virtual and anonymous cards are not accepted.
How much is the deposit when renting a car in Iceland?
We take no deposit. At pickup we place a hold on your card instead: €1,000 for bookings made on this website, and none with MAX. The hold is released after you return the car.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Iceland?
Only if your license is not in the Latin alphabet. Then bring the original license with an International Driving Permit, or, where your country issues none, a certified translation or a TIDL together with your passport.
Can I use a digital driving license to rent a car?
No. Bring your physical license: digital licenses, screenshots and scans are not accepted, except an Icelandic digital license checked live through Ísland.is.
Sources
The rules on this page come from our rental terms (valid from 1 August 2026) and official Icelandic sources (checked 8 November 2026):