Car Hire FAQs
What forms of payment do you accept?
Renting In The United Kingdom
If the rental is not prepaid, the renter must pay a deposit and the full rental charges using a major debit or credit card in his or her own name.
If the rental is prepaid, the renter must pay a deposit using a major debit or credit card in his or her own name.
Payment by a credit card in the main drivers name will be required to rent premium vehicles. If the debit or credit card differs from that used to prepay the rental charges, an additional deposit is required.
- In the United Kingdom, we accept American Express, Master Card and Visa.
- In the United Kingdom, we do not accept Maestro and Electron debit cards.
- If you would like to use a debit card, please call the location to discuss additional requirements.
Renting At An Airport Location In Ireland
Airport locations do not accept debit cards. If the rental is not prepaid the renter must pay the full rental charges plus a deposit of 500 Euros. If the rental has been prepaid then the deposit will be 500 Euros.
All debit or credit cards must be in the name of the renter and present at the time of rental. All cards must be present at the time of rental.
We do not accept Cash, Prepaid, Currency, Diner's Club or Maestro Cards.
Renting At A Non-Airport Location In Ireland
If the rental is not prepaid the renter must pay the full rental charges plus a deposit of 250 Euros. If the rental has been prepaid then the deposit will be 250 Euros.
All debit or credit cards must be in the name of the renter and present at the time of rental. Renters wishing to use a debit card must hold an Irish licence and will be required to bring additional documentation and will be subject to additional checks.
We do not accept Cash, Prepaid, Currency, Diner's Club or Maestro Cards.
Renters who wish to use a debit card must hold an Irish Driving Licence and must produce a pay slip that must be less than three months old. For all drivers we reserve the right to conduct additional checks and ID verification including sharing information with external partners who may verify supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Can I purchase rental car insurance and other protection products for a car hire in Ireland and the United Kingdom?
Enterprise offers additional protection products that you can purchase along with your car hire. Currently, we offer our customers Damage Waiver, Excess Protection and Roadside Assistance Protection.
United Kingdom
Damage Waiver
Damage Waiver reduces the liability you are responsible for in the event of damage to and or theft of the vehicle. If Damage Waiver is included in your reservation, then the excess amounts applicable are: cars 1000.00 GBP, MINI MPVs, MPVs, commercial vehicles 1150.00 GBP, all premiums and 4x4s 1400.00 GBP.
In Northern Ireland the excess on all commercial vehicles is 1400.00 GBP.
If Damage Waiver is not included in your booking, then it is available to purchase and the excess amount for all vehicles is zero. Customers who can provide independent and verified provision to cover damage and theft to the vehicle may be able to decline Damage Waiver - you may wish to determine if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Damage Waiver, you will be required to pay these charges and then seek compensation yourself from your carrier. Damage Waiver is not insurance.
Excess Protection
Excess Protection is an optional coverage that reduces the applicable Damage Waiver excess (see Damage Waiver terms) to all cars 100.00 GBP, MINI MPVs, MPVs and commercial vehicles 250.00 GBP, all premiums and 4x4s 500.00 GBP.
In Northern Ireland the reduced excess on all commercial vehicles is 500.00 GBP.
You may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Excess Protection then you are required to pay any applicable Damage Waiver excess and seek compensation from your carrier. The price of Excess Protection varies by vehicle size and the prices are inclusive of VAT. Premium location fee applies to airports.
Roadside Assistance Protection
Enterprise offers roadside assistance protection - RAP. RAP allows Enterprise customers to waive all financial responsibility for the following - tyre and glass repair or replacement costs, except when part of a larger repair, replacement keys costs, and all recovery and call out charges imposed by our chosen roadside assistance providers as result of a fault caused by renter error. RAP does not exempt you from these charges if there is any breach of our rental agreement. RAP is an optional product; before purchasing you may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate. If you decline RAP then you will be required to pay any applicable charges and seek compensation from your carrier. RAP is not insurance.
Ireland
Damage Waiver
If Damage Waiver is shown as included in your booking then the cost is included in your reservation total. If Damage Waiver is not shown as included in your booking then you may purchase it at the rental counter. Damage Waiver reduces your liability for damage to and or theft of the vehicle subject to the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. The Excess that applies to Damage Waiver is EUR 1600 for economy and mini vehicles, EUR 2500 for premium vehicles, and EUR 1750 for all other vehicles. Before purchasing Damage Waiver you may wish to determine if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Damage Waiver you will be required to pay these charges and then seek compensation from your carrier. Please be advised that the Republic of Ireland may be listed as an exclusion zone to your standard provider of personal insurance or credit card coverage. Damage Waiver is not insurance.
Excess Protection
Excess Protection is an optional coverage that reduces the applicable Damage Waiver Excess (see Damage Waiver terms) to: EUR 100 for economy and mini vehicles, EUR 500 for premium vehicles, and EUR 250 for all other vehicles. You may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate to cover damage, theft, loss of revenue, administration fees, diminishment of value, and any towing, storage or impound fees. If you decline Excess Protection then you are required to pay any applicable Damage Waiver excess and seek compensation from your carrier. Excess Protection is not insurance.
Roadside Assistance Protection
Enterprise offers roadside assistance protection - RAP. Rap allows Enterprise customers to waive all financial responsibility for the following - tyre and glass repair or replacement costs, except when part of a larger repair, replacement keys costs, and all recovery and call out charges imposed by our chosen roadside assistance providers as result of a fault caused by renter error. RAP does not exempt you from these charges if there is any breach of our rental agreement. RAP is an optional product; before purchasing you may wish to check if your personal coverage is adequate. If you decline RAP then you will be required to pay any applicable charges and seek compensation from your carrier. RAP is not insurance.
What Are Your Driver's Licence Requirements For Renting In The UK And Ireland?
United Kingdom:
- All drivers must produce a valid driving licence.
- Non-EU licence holders are required to have an international driving permit if the licence is not in English.
- All renters must produce photographic ID- this can be a passport or driving licence.
- International travelers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and residency information while in the U.K.
Renters who wish to use a debit card may be subject to additional checks. We reserve the right to request additional ID or conduct further ID checks. These may include ID checks with external partners who may check supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Ireland:
- All drivers must produce all parts of a valid driving licence.
- Non-EU licence holders are required to have an international driving permit if the licence is not in English.
- Domestic renters must produce photo id, passport or driving licence.
- International travellers must produce a passport, proof of return travel and residency information while in Ireland.
Renters who wish to use a debit card must hold an Irish Driving Licence and will be subject to additional checks including verification of employment.
For all drivers we reserve the right to conduct additional checks and ID verification including sharing information with external partners who may verify supplied details against databases to which they have access.
Will I be allowed to cross into bordering countries?
United Kingdom:
For vehicles travelling to the Republic of Ireland, there is an additional charge of 150 GBP per rental. Please call the branch in advance. Vehicles may not travel outside the U.K. and Ireland.
Ireland:
Renters are allowed to travel within Ireland and Northern Ireland.
For vehicles travelling to the U.K., there is an additional charge of 150 Euros plus vat. Please call the branch in advance. Customers wishing to return the car to a different location will be subject to an additional charge.
COVID 19 FAQs
For more information, please visit our COVID-19 FAQs page.
For additional questions, please visit our main car rental FAQs page.
Renting a Car at London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Local Car Hire at Gatwick Airport
As one of London's major air hubs, Gatwick Airport is a busy location that requires a convenient transportation solution for all people coming and going. Fortunately, the branch of Enterprise Rent-A-Car is located conveniently for people either arriving at the airport or departing from it. Situated a stone's throw from the airport's terminal, the branch can be found close to Gatwick's railway station, a short drive from the M23 motorway. By foot, simply follow the signs from the terminal building for the railway station and continue in the direction of the airport's South Car Park. Anyone wanting to pick up a car to head into central London will be able to do so in little under an hour. In the other direction, heading south on the M23, travellers can expect to reach the south coast of England at Brighton in just over half an hour. The nearby town of Crawley is only a few minutes away for drivers who want to access shops and services immediately after they touch down in the UK.
Cheap Car at Gatwick Airport
Enterprise has a superb location near to Gatwick Airport and remains an extremely competitive option for travellers requiring car hire in the vicinity. A range of fuel efficient vehicles are ready to be hired and you can obtain the best pricing by booking online in advance of your arrival. Save further cash by opting to pay in advance.
One-Way Car Hire at Gatwick Airport
If you only need a car for getting from the airport to your destination, Enterprise offers one-way car hire as the ideal solution. With hundreds of branches across the UK, you will not be far away from a local branch at your destination to return your vehicle. This also gives you the flexibility to hire a car wherever you are on your journey, allowing you to combine car hire with other methods of transportation to get the most out of your holiday or business trip.
A Wide Range of Vehicles to Hire
No matter what sort of vehicle you need, you will be able to hire the ideal sort of car for your purposes with Enterprise. Families who are arriving at the airport for a holiday will be able to find SUVs and people carriers. If you simply want a highly economical two-door run-around, then these are on offer, too. For business visitors who require a prestigious car to drive around in, the extensive fleet at Enterprise will have the right model.
Driving Information at Gatwick Airport
Like other airports in the UK, parking is expensive at Gatwick Airport. However, drivers can use the Express Pick Up area on Level 0 of Short Stay Car Park 3 at the South Terminal once they have collected their vehicle. If you are dropping off passengers, then use the lower level drop-off zone between the Sofitel Hotel and the multi-storey car park of the North Terminal.