Author Topic: Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL  (Read 1140 times)

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jacoscar

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Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL
« on: October 04, 2023, 07:03:43 am »
Today Goldcar in Madrid refused to give me the car I had booked because I didn’t have an international driving license.
I have an Italian passport, a UK driving licence and I have settled status in the UK. My passport doesn’t need to get stamped when I get in and out of the UK.
I rent cars in Spain regularly and I’ve never had a problem.
Today they first asked for the IDL (I barely know what it is) and then asked me to prove I hadn’t been in the EU for more than 6 months; they started looking for stamps in my passport (which obviously has none). Then they asked to see my plane tickets but eventually they got fed up and just stated they weren’t giving me the car (that I paid).

I contacted rentalcars and they sent me this:

Driving Licence
• When picking the car up, the main driver and any additional drivers will need to provide a full driving licence in their name.
• Digital driving licences will not be accepted.
• If you've had your driving licence renewed and it only shows the date it was renewed, you'll need to prove when it was originally issued.
• All drivers must have held their driving licence for at least 12 months.
• Drivers who have held a driving licence for less than 4 years will pay an additional charge of 7,96 € per day, up to a maximum of 96,00 € per rental.
• UK counterpart driving licences will only be accepted with a UK photocard licence
nternational Driving Permit
• International Driving Permit is required for all persons who hold a driving licence issued outside of the EU.

I would argue that my license, issued in 2019, was issued inside the EU.

Also, The DVLA guidance is that you don’t need a IDL to drive in the EU

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu#driving-licences-and-international-driving-permits

I was left without a car (with a 1 and a 2 year old) and had to make other arrangements to reach my destination.

I would like them to at least refund me the price paid for the booking; where do I stand?

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Southpaw82

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Re: Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2023, 09:39:37 am »
Is the contract governed by English law, Spanish law or some other law?

The Rookie

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Re: Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2023, 02:42:36 pm »
Today Goldcar in Madrid

I contacted rentalcars
Well absent an explanation as to the relevance, so what?  What were the T&C when you booked with Goldcar, that's the contract.
There are motorists who have been scammed and those who are yet to be scammed!

DancingDad

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Re: Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2023, 09:49:31 am »
Today Goldcar in Madrid

I contacted rentalcars
Well absent an explanation as to the relevance, so what?  What were the T&C when you booked with Goldcar, that's the contract.

A quick google suggests that booking in UK is via Rentalcars.
Who seem to be an agent.
No clue as to who's T&Cs apply

H C Andersen

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Re: Denied a rental car for not holding an IDL
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2023, 10:24:17 am »

I contacted rentalcars and they sent me this:

You have two issues i.e. that they breached your contract - whose terms we've yet to see(and to know who are the parties) - and a refund.

Their reply only attempts to address why you were not supplied with a car, not whether they would issue a full or partial refund.

What did you write to them? Plus pl post a copy of the Ts and Cs which you must have been sent when booking, saves DD and others having to trawl.

How much € are we looking at here.