Car hire: UK licence refused at desk (Economy Car Rentals)

Hoenir

NoodleDoodleMan said:

"I checked the T&Cs well before the hire and there is no mention of needing an IDP for EU citizens"

The bureaucratic administrative mindset  presumably being that EU citizens will hold a driving licence issued in an EU country ?

Another "benefit" of the lunacy that was Brexit.

An EU driving licence is valid in the UK.  Lunacy is the power wielded in Brussels by unelected political activists. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Thr validity, or otherwise, of an EU driving licence is irrelevant to you prediciment.

The self inflicted lunacy IMO was the UK voting to leave the EU, other opinions differ of course.

brianposter

If you have this sort of problem in Spain you should always ask for a "complaints form", which does not have to be filled in immediately. Simply asking for the form often results in a remarkable change in attitude.

Given that you appear to have a good case, but that Economy Car Rentals presumably have no UK presence, you can still complain to the rental company which you actually used by following the instructions in this link

https://www.andalucia.com/living/consumer/complaints-book

bigfer

My money is on delpaso. They have previous on this. However I do believe IDP is stated as a requirement in their T&C's last time I looked

Lavendyr

IDP costs £5.50 at the Post Office. Not helpful for OP I'm afraid but if in doubt, get one. It's valid for 10 years. 

mdann52

Lavendyr said:

IDP costs £5.50 at the Post Office.

Not any more, this service is now provided by PayPoint, not the post office!

Some post offices still do but not all

brianposter

When I looked at Delpaso"s T&Cs they ask for a "homologated driving licence" which I suspect means one which cannot legally be refused, but it is a phrase difficult to understand and is hardly comprehensible to a foreigner. It would probably not cover a UK licence.

Barkin

Lavendyr said:

IDP costs £5.50 at the Post Office. Not helpful for OP I'm afraid but if in doubt, get one. It's valid for 10 years. 

A 1926 or 1949 permit lasts for 12 months. A 1968 permit lasts for 3 years or until your UK driving licence expires, whichever comes first.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/get-an-idp

Lavendyr

Ohh that's changed quickly, I got my IDP just over a year ago from a Post Office with a 10 year expiry. Sorry for out of date info.