Prepare for a French-island rental
Car Rental Requirements in Réunion Island
A clear sequence for checking driving-licence recognition, identification, supplier eligibility, deposits, insurance and vehicle handover.
Confirm that your driving licence is recognised
Réunion follows French rules for foreign driving licences. Bring the original valid licence and accepted identification. EU/EEA and non-European licences are not treated identically, and residency rules differ from a short tourist stay.
EU/EEA licence
Use current French guidance to confirm validity and any conditions for your situation.
Non-European licence
For a short stay it must meet French recognition, validity, language and translation conditions.
Identification
Keep the original passport or other identification accepted for the confirmed booking.
A valid non-European licence for a short stay must be in French or accompanied by the prescribed International Driving Permit—subject to the official UK exception—or an eligible official translation. Check the current French government guidance for non-European licences.
Check age and licence-tenure conditions
French licence recognition does not guarantee that every rental provider will accept every driver. Minimum age, how long the licence must have been held, young-driver fees and permitted vehicle categories are commercial conditions.
- Confirm the minimum driver age for the exact vehicle category.
- Check the required period for holding a full licence.
- Declare and document every additional driver.
- Request written confirmation if your licence format or driver profile is unusual.
Understand the deposit and payment card
Compare the complete payable price, not only the daily rate. Deposit amount, pre-authorisation, debit-versus-credit-card acceptance, named-cardholder requirements and release timing vary between providers.
Full price
Check taxes, airport charges, mileage, fuel, drivers, seats and late collection.
Deposit
Confirm the amount, currency, payment method and release procedure.
Cardholder
Ensure the provider accepts the card type and the correct named driver holds it.
Read insurance, excess and exclusions
Ask what basic cover includes, the maximum excess for each type of claim and whether optional cover reduces it. Pay special attention to glass, tyres, underbody, keys, incorrect fuel, theft and use on prohibited roads.
- Identify the excess for collision, theft, glass and other claim types.
- Check what optional cover changes rather than relying on its marketing name.
- Confirm the breakdown, accident and police-report procedure.
- Ask whether mountain, forest or unsealed roads are restricted.
French consumer guidance recommends reading the complete contract, insurance, excess, deposit and return conditions. Contact the provider before arranging repairs after a breakdown. See the DGCCRF vehicle-rental guidance.
Document the vehicle before driving
Inspect the car with the provider and photograph every side, the wheels, roof, glass and interior. Match damage, fuel and mileage to the handover record and retain your signed documents.
- Test lights, indicators, wipers, seat belts and air conditioning.
- Check for the high-visibility vest and warning triangle.
- Confirm fuel type, return level and where the vehicle and keys must be returned.
- Save assistance numbers and collection-office opening hours offline.
- Read our driving in Réunion Island guide before leaving the pickup point.
Car rental requirements in Réunion Island FAQ
Concise answers about licences, age, deposits and collection requirements for hiring a car in Réunion.
What documents are normally needed to rent a car in Réunion?
Each authorised driver should normally present an accepted original driving licence, identification and booking confirmation, plus the payment method required by the provider.
Does a non-European licence need an International Driving Permit?
For a short stay, a valid non-European licence must meet French recognition rules. If it is not in French, it generally needs the prescribed International Driving Permit or an eligible official translation, subject to current official rules.
What is the minimum age for renting a car in Réunion?
Minimum age and required licence tenure are commercial conditions that vary by provider and vehicle category.
Is a security deposit required?
Deposit amount, card type and release procedure vary by provider. Confirm them before paying and ensure the named driver can meet the payment-card conditions.
What should I check when collecting the rental car?
Record the complete vehicle condition, fuel level and mileage, check mandatory safety equipment and retain the signed rental and handover documents.
Complete your Réunion rental research
Use the confirmed supplier terms
The selected provider’s written booking and rental agreement remain the final reference for age, documents, deposit, insurance, permitted roads and return conditions.