🚗 Can You Rent a Car in Europe with a Digital Driver’s License? Explained
The way we travel is changing 🌍 — and so are our driver’s licenses. With more countries rolling out digital driver’s licenses (DDL) and mobile ID apps, many travelers now wonder:
“Can I rent a car in Europe with a digital driver’s license?”
This guide gives you everything you need to know — from which countries and car rental companies accept digital licenses to practical tips, legal details, and what to expect when renting abroad.
📱 What Is a Digital Driver’s License?
A digital driver’s license (DDL) is a secure, electronic version of your physical license stored on your smartphone.
It’s usually accessible via a government app — such as:
| Country | Digital License App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | Apple Wallet / State DMV Apps | Available in select states |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Service NSW / mySA GOV | Accepted domestically |
| 🇬🇧 UK | Coming soon via GOV.UK app | Not yet active |
| 🇪🇺 EU | EU Digital Identity Wallet | Pilot program in several countries |
💡 Important: Even though DDLs are secure, not every European country or rental agency accepts them yet — especially for foreign drivers.
🌍 Can You Rent a Car in Europe with a Digital Driver’s License?
In most cases, no — not yet.
European rental companies still require a physical, plastic driver’s license to verify identity and make copies for insurance.
However, acceptance is growing:
| Region | DDL Acceptance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Western Europe (France, Spain, Italy) | ❌ Not accepted | Must show physical card |
| Northern Europe (Finland, Norway, Denmark) | ✅ In progress | Pilots accepting EU Digital ID |
| Central Europe (Germany, Austria) | ❌ Not yet | Planned for future EU integration |
| Southern Europe (Portugal, Croatia, Greece) | ❌ No | Must present original |
👉 If your country supports DDLs, you can show them as a backup, but always bring the plastic version too.
🧾 Required Documents for Car Rental in Europe
Even with modern apps, most agencies will still ask for:
| Document | Required | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Driver’s License | ✅ Yes | Must be valid and readable |
| ID or Passport | ✅ Yes | For ID and border regulations |
| Credit Card | ✅ Usually | For deposit and insurance |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | 🔸 Sometimes | Needed for non-EU licenses |
💡 Tip: If your license is not in Roman alphabet (e.g. Cyrillic, Arabic, Chinese), you must carry an IDP to rent in Europe.
🚙 Why Car Rental Companies Still Require Physical Licenses
Even though technology allows digital IDs, rental agencies operate under insurance laws, not just convenience.
Insurers demand a physical copy to validate driver details in case of accidents or fines.
Key reasons:
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- 📋 Legal requirement under EU insurance law.
- 📸 Companies must scan/record license number.
- 🚓 Police checks still prefer physical documents.
💡 Some agencies (like Sixt or Hertz) allow digital verification during online check-in, but they’ll still ask to see your physical license at pickup.
🏢 Which Rental Companies Are Testing Digital License Verification?
| Company | Digital Verification | Still Requires Physical Card |
|---|---|---|
| Sixt 🚀 | ✅ Mobile check-in pilot (Germany, Netherlands) | ✅ Yes |
| Hertz 🌍 | ✅ “Hertz Fast Lane” app supports Apple Wallet ID | ✅ Yes |
| Avis/Budget 🔑 | ❌ Not yet | ✅ Yes |
| Enterprise 🤝 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Europcar 🌐 | ✅ Some trials with EU eID | ✅ Yes |
💡 Always double-check your reservation email: some European airports now allow “Digital ID Pre-Check,” speeding up pickup.
🇪🇺 Countries Where Digital Licenses Are Gaining Ground
The European Union is building a unified Digital Identity Framework, and that includes digital driving credentials.
Here’s the current rollout status:
| Country | Digital License Status | Rental Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Fully launched | Partial |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Fully active | Yes (for locals) |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | Pilot stage | Not yet |
| 🇫🇷 France | Pilot starting 2026 | No (yet) |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Testing with EU Wallet | No (yet) |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Planned | No |
💡 By 2026, the EU aims to make digital ID valid across member states — including driving credentials.
🔒 Security of Digital Driver’s Licenses
One major benefit of digital licenses is security.
Unlike a plastic card, your DDL can be:
- Protected by biometric ID (Face ID / fingerprint).
- Easily deactivated if lost.
- Shared securely with limited data.
Still, not all rental desks are equipped to verify authenticity — which is why most rely on physical cards for now.
🛡️ Insurance & Legal Concerns
If you rent a car using only a digital license (where accepted), check:
- Whether your insurance policy covers digital IDs.
- If the rental contract specifies a physical copy requirement.
- Whether cross-border travel is allowed with DDL verification.
⚠️ Using only a digital license in a country that doesn’t officially recognize it could void your rental agreement or insurance coverage.
✅ Best Practices for Renting a Car with a Digital License
- 📸 Carry both – always have your physical card even if your app works.
- 🛡️ Download your DDL offline – some rental desks don’t have Wi-Fi.
- 🧾 Print a backup of your rental agreement.
- 🧭 Check local laws – acceptance varies by EU country.
- 📱 Use apps like Sixt, Hertz, or Europcar digital check-in for faster pickup.
- 🌍 Have an IDP if your home license is non-EU.
🧳 Pro Tip: Combining Digital ID + Contactless Rentals
Some major airports (Lisbon, Munich, Helsinki, Amsterdam) are piloting contactless car rental kiosks.
Here’s how it works:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Verify license via app (Sixt or Hertz) |
| 2️⃣ | Upload selfie + passport |
| 3️⃣ | Sign rental digitally |
| 4️⃣ | Unlock car with mobile key |
💡 You’ll still need to show your physical license once for verification — but after that, the process is 100% digital.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Digital driver’s licenses are the future of travel — but Europe isn’t fully ready yet.
For now, think of your DDL as a convenient backup, not a replacement.
If you’re renting a car in Europe:
- Bring your plastic license and passport.
- Keep your digital copy handy in case of loss or theft.
- And always verify requirements with your rental company before booking.
Soon, renting a car in Europe will be as simple as tapping your phone — but until then, keep that little plastic card close 😉💳✨
