Car Rental Do's & Don'ts
- The Kick Team
- Nov 5, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 24
What to look out for : Irish Road Rules in 2026
Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland
What should I know before driving in Ireland?
Irish Car Size Comparison....Insurance Rules....Age limits.....etc.....Comparison blog. Here
Occasionally renting a car may not go smoothly. We have put this blog together to advise and help you reaise a wonderfull visit to our green and friendly Ireland.
Car rental companies in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland also include major international brands and local providers, with prices and insurance coverage that differs by region, provider, and booking platform. Most companies allow cross-border travel between Ireland and Northern Ireland, but taking rental cars to Scotland (across the Irish Sea) is generally restricted and often incurs significant extra charges or is not permitted at all.
Company | Typical Price Range (per day, small car) | Insurance Included | Notes on Cross-Border/Scotland Use |
Among the cheapest, from €20–€35 | Usually includes basic insurance | Cross-border to NI often allowed; Scotland not standard | |
Competitive, from €25–€40 | Yes, insurance included | Contact directly re: Scotland. | |
€30–€50 | Basic insurance included, upgrades extra | Cross-border fee to NI; Scotland usually not allowed or extra | |
€35–€55 | Basic insurance included | Cross-border to NI for a fee; Scotland rarely allowed | |
Hourly/day rates, varies | Yes (with restrictions) | Short-term, not practical for Scotland | |
€25–€45, varies by location | Yes, basic insurance included7 | Scotland usually not allowed. |
Northern Ireland
Company | Typical Price Range (per day, small car) | Insurance Included | Notes on Cross-Border/Scotland Use |
£30–£50 | Basic insurance included | Cross-border to ROI often allowed; ferry to Scotland as an extra charge | |
£30–£55 | Yes, insurance included | Cross-border fee for ROI; ferry to Scotland possible with permission and fee | |
Keddy Branch of Europcar | £25–£45 | Yes | Cross-border to ROI allowed; Scotland not standard. |
£25–£45 | Yes | Cross-border to ROI allowed; Scotland not standard |
Comparison sites like EasyTerra, Rentalcars.com, Discover Cars, and AutoEurope are recommended to compare current rates and inclusions across all providers.
My Irish Cousin is a rental company and prides itself in offering complete packages, without hidden extras. They get a good reputation and are at the upper end of the rental market.
Insurance: What’s Included?
Basic insurance (Third Party Liability) is legally required and included in all rental prices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection are commonly offered, but the excess (deductible) can be high unless you purchase additional coverage.
NewWay and Budget explicitly state insurance is included in their prices.
Credit card insurance rarely applies in Ireland and is often excluded by card issuers; check your credit card policy carefully if you plan to rely on it.
Using Outside Ireland Credit Card Insurance or a foreign Insurance company.
Irish car rental companies would prefer their own insurance.
However people ask can they use their own or a credit card insurance. Yes you can but as always there is a but.
If an accident happens then your credit card is debited straight away and they most likely would put a large hold on your card even before you take the car. In the event of an accident the cost is charged to your credit card straight away and you then need to claim that back from whoever you have insurance with. We would advise using the rental car insurance always.
Using Rental Cars in Scotland
Direct use in Scotland (i.e., taking a car on a ferry from Ireland to Scotland) is generally not included in standard rental agreements.
If permitted, extra fees apply, and you must obtain written permission from the rental company. This can cost anywhere from £100–£150+ for the cross-channel authorization, plus ferry charges.
Most companies strongly discourage or prohibit taking vehicles on ferries between Ireland and Great Britain due to insurance, breakdown coverage, and logistical issues.
Cross-border (Republic ↔ Northern Ireland) is generally allowed with a supplemental fee, but cross-sea (to Scotland) is rarely allowed and should be confirmed case by case.
Key Considerations
Always read the terms and conditions: Some companies impose high fees for cross-border or cross-sea travel, and violations can result in voided insurance.
Insurance excesses can be high—consider purchasing a zero-excess CDW or supplemental coverage in advance for peace of mind4.
Comparison sites are the best way to see current prices and inclusions for both regions.
In Conclusion :
When crossing the Irish border make sure when you book your car that it is covered by insurance inclusive in the price and not an extra.
Check the car over for any scratches dents etc. and bring that to the reception team's attention and have it noted. . Take photos of the car before setting off, of all four sides.
Follow speed limits in Northern Ireland and the Republic as it may end up costing a lot.
Book a car big enough for luggage. Bear in mind European cars are that bit smaller than say American.
Be aware that particularly in Dublin driving isn't necessary. It's a walkable city, with good transport options . So when leaving the city you may be able to pick your car up at a city centre depot, rather than travelling by bus or taxi to the renta; depot at the airport.
Enterprise ( My Irish Cousin) has depots across Dublin
Dublin City Centre South (St Stephen’s Green)
Dublin City Centre North (Russell Street)
Swords (north County Dublin)
Finglas (Dublin North)
Kylemore (Dublin West)
Tallaght (Dublin Southwest)
Dun Laoghaire (Dublin South)
TRAVEL TIP: You may also want to either download Google maps to your phone or buy a hard copy map. Signal drop out in Cork Kerry ( Particularly Valencia Island) and parts of Donegall are common.
Finally relax and enjoy you time in Ireland. Soak in the natural beauty culture and come back next year. Have fun. Slainte
