Car rental refused for having an EU license

jake_jones99

Hello all,

I booked a car with Hertz some time ago, today I randomly checked to see if everything is okay with my reservation tomorrow. When heard I have an EU license the gentleman at the Hertz branch refused to give me the car tomorrow. He started with the typical "UK is no longer in the EU" line. I told him about this Government website: 
https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-resident-of-great-britain/full-car-and-motorcycle/european-union-or-european-economic-area
He started saying "I don't want to argue with you " etc. I insisted this is the government and where else should I get my information from? He contacted his manager and it remained that he will do research through the night and tell me tomorrow if I am allowed to get the car. It seems like he's looking for loopholes to refuse me the rental, otherwise why would someone reject a government website and proceed to do research on his own? This got me quite stressed my holiday could be ruined. I am a British citizen but didn't change my license simply because of the website above saying I don't have to unless required by my job.

I called Enterprise, Eagle cars, they have absolutely nothing against EU licenses. However there are no more cars available with one day notice (obviously).
What do you all think about this? Any advice for when he calls me tomorrow? Thanks!

macman

Ask him if Hertz no longer rent cars in the UK to customers from anywhere in the EU?

jake_jones99

He first said no because it's a EU licence. Then he asked me when I came to the UK and said I should have exchanged my licence for a UK licence after 3 years. And then started debating on whether I still have EU residency which would mean I didn't have to change the license. That's why it feels like he's fishing for a reason while in the background hating on EU immigrants.

jake_jones99

I think I know what I will do, I will ask him to put the reason in writing in an email. Then I can use it against him for discrimination.

macman

It's not discrimination, he's just misinterpreting the regs.
Is this possibly an ID issue? Does your EU licence show your correct UK address?
Since we don't have ID cards here, a driving licence or passport are the most common forms of photo ID.

Grey_Critic

The website tells you how to exchange an EU licence for a UK licence. As we are no longer in the EU then there is a time limit if I recall for driving on licence issued in another country of the EU The same applies to other countries usually 6 to 12 months. When my son went to work in the USA he had to take a driving test that was linked to his Visa.

DanDare999

Grey_Critic said:

The website tells you how to exchange an EU licence for a UK licence. As we are no longer in the EU then there is a time limit if I recall for driving on licence issued in another country of the EU The same applies to other countries usually 6 to 12 months. When my son went to work in the USA he had to take a driving test that was linked to his Visa.

The website also says it's valid until your 70th birthday if you passed in an EU country. 

Ms_Chocaholic

Go on their official account on Twitter and ask them

Car_54

jake_jones99 said:

 It seems like he's looking for loopholes to refuse me the rental, otherwise why would someone reject a government website and proceed to do research on his own? 

Because the .gov.uk website is riddled with errors? 

Car_54

Grey_Critic said:

The website tells you how to exchange an EU licence for a UK licence. As we are no longer in the EU then there is a time limit if I recall for driving on licence issued in another country of the EU The same applies to other countries usually 6 to 12 months. When my son went to work in the USA he had to take a driving test that was linked to his Visa.

No, there's been no change following Brexit, EU licence still valid in UK until you're 70. Nut that may change in future.

Grey_Critic

DanDare999 said:

Grey_Critic said:

The website tells you how to exchange an EU licence for a UK licence. As we are no longer in the EU then there is a time limit if I recall for driving on licence issued in another country of the EU The same applies to other countries usually 6 to 12 months. When my son went to work in the USA he had to take a driving test that was linked to his Visa.

The website also says it's valid until your 70th birthday if you passed in an EU country. 

I repeat there is a time limit before you are required to either (a) Exchange for a UK Licence or (b) Take/Pass a driving test in the UK.

That rule applies in most countries - The valid until 70 is a seperate issue.

You are also required to renew a UK Licence every 10 years - something many fail to do and I believe you can be prosecuted for driving without a current licence - No doubt someone will correct that bit if I am wrong.