Driving Licence & Qualifications

Drivers must present a physical copy of their full valid unendorsed driving licence which they have held for a minimum of two years. The license should be issued in the drivers country of permanent residence and an English language translation should be provided where appropriate. 

UK driving licence holders should note that the paper part of your driving licence is no longer valid. We require all UK licence holders to present evidence of their driving record (entitlements/endorsements) before the vehicle can be rented. This can be obtained by printing it out from the DVLA’s ‘Share Driving Licence’ section - before you collect your vehicle. This must be printed within 21 days of your pickup date.

We reserve the right to ask pre-qualifying questions on your insurance history. You may be refused a vehicle based on the answers you provide.

Drivers with 2 or more unspent driving convictions or one unspent driving conviction from the list below will not be eligible to rent.

• Careless, reckless or dangerous driving
• Driving or attempting to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Using a vehicle uninsured against third party risks
• Theft or unauthorised taking of a vehicle

Drivers who have been disqualified (or anything similar) in the last 10 years will not be eligible to rent.

Failure to disclose any driving convictions may mean you are fully liable for damage caused to the rental vehicle or any third party.

Drivers must also have been eligible to hold a valid driving license for at least the number of years specified:

Mini 2 Door Economy 2 Door Compact 4 Door Intermediate 4 Door Fun Intermediate 4 Door Full Size 4 Door Full Size 4 Door (Guaranteed Diesel) Economy Automatic 4 Door Compact Automatic 4 Door Intermediate Automatic 4 Door Intermediate SUV Station Wagon Automatic Station Wagon	8 years
5+2 Seater People Carrier 7 Seater People Carrier Full Size 7 Seater People Carrier Automatic 7 Seater People Carrier	10 years
Electric Luxury Intermediate Luxury Intermediate 4 Door Luxury Full Size 4 Door Audi Series A4, Q3 or similar Full Size SUV Full Size Automatic SUV Luxury SUV Minibus Minibus Automatic	12 years

Customers aged 76 years and over are eligible to rent with the following specific conditions:

• They must drive regularly
• They must provide us with a letter from their insurance company proving that they hold a current motor insurance policy and that they have been driving without having an accident for the last 5 years.
• They must provide us with a letter from their doctor stating that they are in good health.
• They may be required to undergo a driving assessment accompanied with a Budget representative.

To qualify to rent, further security checks may be required, up to and including proof of a return flight coinciding with the rental period, two forms of photo ID, and proof of address matching the driver’s licence. 

Customers requiring further clarification of our licence and qualifications requirements please email us at reservations@budget.ie or call our reservations department at +353 (0) 90 66 27711.

Rates

Budget Car Rental reserves the right to amend price structures without notice. Prices quoted at time of booking however are guaranteed. Internet rates cannot be used in conjunction with any offline offers.

VAT (Sales Tax)

All prices quoted for car rental and/or additional products/services include VAT (Sales Tax).

Payment

Customers can enjoy discounted rates by paying at the time of booking or opt for the pay later option, which includes the flexibility of free cancellation. 

All major payment cards are accepted at the time of booking. A payment card in the renter’s name must be presented at pickup. Both Credit and Debit Cards are acceptable. 

If using a Debit Card, you must purchase our Excess Reduction product to reduce your financial responsibility to zero in case of vehicle theft or damage (details are provided in the ‘additional cover – optional’ section). PIN-enabled cards will require your PIN for authorization. Specified value/pre-paid Payment Cards will not be accepted. 

Cancellations and No-Shows

To cancel your booking use the websites "Manage Booking" facility, email  us at reservations@budget.ie or call our reservations department at +353 (0) 90 66 27711.

Our flexible cancellation policy means Prepaid bookings are free to cancel with a full refund when cancelled up to 48 hours before time of pickup. If you cancel within 48 hours you will receive a full refund less a EUR €45.00 cancellation fee. In the case of a no-show no refund is provided.

Pay Later bookings are free to cancel, however if you fail to cancel and do not pick up the car you will incur a no-show fee of EUR €65.00.

Booking Amendments

Use the websites "Manage Booking" facility to make booking amendments. There is no charge for this facility and a cancellation fee does not apply.

Returning Early

Once you return within opening hours we will be very happy to facilitate if you need to return the car earlier than agreed. There is no fee for this but be aware when booking it won’t be possible to refund you for unused days.

Rental Extension

Renters who wish to extend their rental may contact our reservations department at reservations@budget.ie or +353 (0) 90 6627711 to confirm availability. Renters may be required to visit a rental station to sign the updated rental agreement. Extra days will be charged based on the local rate at the time the extension is made.

Fuel

For your convenience your car will be supplied with a full tank of fuel which you will be asked to pay for when picking up the car. If you return the car full you will be refunded the cost of the fuel.

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Electric Cars Charging

Electric cars will be supplied with at least 80% battery charge. All electric cars must be returned with 70% or more battery power remaining. If you return the car with less than 70% battery a €100 fee will be charged for recharging.

Tesla supercharger usage will be billed when you are returning your vehicle.

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Availability

Vehicle models illustrated on this site are for guidance only. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that a vehicle from the group reserved is available, we reserve the right to substitute an alternative similar model.

GPS / Satellite Navigation Systems

Garmin GPS Satellite Navigation Systems can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process at a rate of EUR €15.00 per day. This charge will be included in your total quotation.

Child Seats / Booster Seats

Child Seats (1-4 years) and Booster Seats (5-12 years) can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process at a rate of EUR €45.40 per rental. This charge will be included in your total quotation. Parents of children younger than 12 months are recommended to bring their own infant seat.

Additional Driver

Additional drivers can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process for EUR €11.35 per driver per day.

Basic Cover - Included

When you hire a vehicle from Budget, the price you pay automatically includes a basic level of cover should you be involved in an accident or breakdown.

Please familiarise yourself with the below areas of cover, including cover for any damage or injury you may cause to a third party, and the excess amounts you will be liable for. It is our goal to make all our products and services transparent for our customers.

Third Party Cover (TPC)

By law, this is compulsory and is included in your rental price, covering the driver or additional driver's legal liability for bodily injury or property damage to others.

Also known as: Third Party Insurance, Motor Liability Insurance or Legal Liability Insurance.

Roadside Assistance

When you rent a vehicle with Budget, you automatically receive a basic level of roadside assistance included in your quote. Should you experience any mechanical difficulties with the vehicle, we will get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

However, Budget also offer additional services to support renters when common issues such as flat batteries or locked-in keys arise. Click here to find out more about Roadside Assistance Plus.

Vehicle Damage Cover

If your rental vehicle is damaged during the rental period, this basic damage excess waiver limits the amount you will have to pay towards the cost of repairs to a fixed amount. This amount is known as the excess (see Excess Charge for the amount relevant to the vehicle group you have reserved).

Also known as: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)

Vehicle Theft Cover

If your rental vehicle is stolen, this basic theft excess waiver limits the amount you will have to pay towards replacing it (or parts of it). You will, however, have to pay a fixed amount known as an excess (see Excess Charge for the amount relevant to the vehicle group you have reserved).

Also known as: Theft Protection (TP).

Excess Charge

The excess charge amounts below apply to Vehicle Damage Cover and Vehicle Theft Cover.

At the time of rental you will have the option to purchase our Excess Reduction product, which lowers the excess amount you are liable for to ZERO, affording you complete peace of mind.

When picking up your vehicle Budget will require a pre-authorisation on your credit card equal to the excess charge amount. Budget will not require a pre-authorisation to be taken from your credit card if you decide to purchase Excess Reduction

Excess charge amount by car group:

Mini 2 Door Economy 2 Door Compact 4 Door	EUR €2000
Intermediate 4 Door Fun Intermediate 4 Door Economy Automatic 4 Door Compact Automatic 4 Door	EUR €2500
Full Size 4 Door Full Size 4 Door (Guaranteed Diesel) Intermediate Automatic 4 Door	EUR €3000
Full Size Automatic 4 Door Station Wagon Automatic Station Wagon Intermediate SUV Full Size SUV Full Size Automatic SUV	EUR €3500
5+2 Seater People Carrier 7 Seater People Carrier Full Size 7 Seater People Carrier Automatic 7 Seater People Carrier Luxury Intermediate 4 Door Luxury Full Size 4 Door Audi Series A4, Q3 or similar Electric Luxury Intermediate Minibus Minibus Automatic	EUR €4000
Luxury SUV	EUR €5500

Additional Cover - Optional

If you're looking for extra peace of mind when renting a vehicle, Budget also offer a range of additional cover options to supplement the standard mandatory cover included in your quote. Our rental agents can advise you on the benefits when you are picking up the vehicle.

Excess Reduction

This excess waiver provides peace of mind. The excess charge amounts that apply to Vehicle Damage Cover and Vehicle Theft Cover are reduced to zero, eliminating any financial liability in the event of vehicle theft or damage (excluding windscreen).

Excess Reduction can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process at the rates listed below:

Mini 2 Door Economy 2 Door Compact 4 Door Intermediate 4 Door Fun Intermediate 4 Door Economy Automatic 4 Door Compact Automatic 4 Door Intermediate Automatic 4 Door	EUR €24.00 per day
Full Size 4 Door Full Size 4 Door (Guaranteed Diesel) Full Size Automatic 4 Door Station Wagon Automatic Station Wagon	EUR €28.00 per day
5+2 Seater People Carrier 7 Seater People Carrier Full Size 7 Seater People Carrier Automatic 7 Seater People Carrier Luxury Intermediate 4 Door Electric Luxury Intermediate Luxury Full Size 4 Door Audi Series A4, Q3 or similar Intermediate SUV Full Size SUV Full Size Automatic SUV Luxury SUV Minibus Minibus Automatic	EUR €32.00 per day

Windscreen Cover

If your front windscreen is damaged during the rental period this windscreen excess waiver reduces the excess payable by you to ZERO, removing all liability for any damage caused to the vehicle's windscreen glass. You can book Windscreen Cover at step 3 of the online booking process at a rate of EUR €6.00 per day.

Roadside Assistance Plus

You get extra peace of mind when you add Roadside Assistance Plus to your rental. We will take care of common problems like flat batteries, locked-in keys, flat tyres or running out of fuel - and you don't pay any call out charges.
Roadside Assistance Plus can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process at a rate of EUR €6.00 per day

Personal Accident Insurance

Personal Accident Insurance provides extensive benefits in case of injury / death. It can be booked at step 3 of the online booking process at a rate of EUR €8.00 per day. Personal Accident Insurance underwritten by Chubb.

One way rentals

One-way fees are included in your quotation.

Barrier Free Tolling on the M50 motorway

It is the renters responsibility to ensure all due tolls are paid within the correct time frame. More information about barrier free tolling is available here.

Traffic Violations

Renters are responsible for payment of any speeding, parking or other traffic related fines in addition to a fine administration fee of EUR €30.00

Cross Border Driving

If you wish to drive the car into Northern Ireland your rental will be subject to a cross border coverage fee of EUR €34. This fee covers cross border vehicle retrieval in case of breakdown. Budget cars may not be taken outside the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

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Unlimited Mileage

Budget have no mileage restrictions.

No Smoking Policy / Valeting Fee

Budget maintain high standards of vehicle cleanliness and operate a no smoking policy in all our vehicles. Customers who return a vehicle that is excessively dirty or that requires valeting due to tobacco smoke will be subject to a minimum fee of €100.00