- 🚘 Renting a Car in Lisbon with a Provisional or Temporary Driver’s License
- ❓ What Counts as a “Provisional” or “Temporary” License?
- ⚠️ Why Rental Companies Reject Temporary Licenses
- 🏆 Lisbon Rental Companies & License Requirements
- 📄 What Documents Are Required?
- 🧾 What If Your License Is Less Than 1 Year Old?
- ✅ Workarounds & Solutions
- 🧭 Final Thoughts
🚘 Renting a Car in Lisbon with a Provisional or Temporary Driver’s License
Have a recently issued driver’s license or a temporary paper permit? You’re not alone. Many new drivers, tourists, and expats ask whether they can rent a car in Lisbon with a provisional or temporary license.
The short answer: It’s difficult, and often not allowed. But there are exceptions — and in this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
❓ What Counts as a “Provisional” or “Temporary” License?
These types of licenses may raise red flags with rental companies:
- 🟡 Paper-format licenses with no photo
- 🟡 “Provisional” permits for new drivers under 18–21
- 🟡 Recently issued licenses (less than 1 year)
- 🟡 Licenses marked as temporary or learner permit
- 🟡 Digital-only licenses with no physical version
📌 These are not always rejected automatically — but they’re not commonly accepted.
⚠️ Why Rental Companies Reject Temporary Licenses
| Reason | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 🔒 No insurance coverage | Insurers may deny claims for new drivers |
| 👤 Identity risk | Temporary documents are easier to fake |
| 🕐 Lack of experience | Most require 1+ year of driving |
🛂 Most companies in Lisbon require a full, valid license held for at least 12 months.
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🏆 Lisbon Rental Companies & License Requirements
| Company | Temporary License Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Guerin | ❌ No | 1+ year required |
| Drive on Holidays | ❌ No | Must be full license |
| Turisprime | ❌ No | Minimum age + 1 year license |
| Europcar | ❌ No | Only full, physical license accepted |
| Discovercars | ✅ Filter by conditions | Varies by provider |
💡 Tip: Always check the “Driver Requirements” section in the rental terms before booking.
📄 What Documents Are Required?
Even with a valid license, you’ll typically need:
- ✅ Driver’s license (physical, valid, full)
- ✅ Passport or EU ID
- ✅ Credit or debit card
- ✅ Booking confirmation
⚠️ If your license is too new, bring proof of issue date or consider traveling with a second driver.
🧾 What If Your License Is Less Than 1 Year Old?
You may be rejected even if your license is full if:
- It was issued less than 12 months ago
- You are under 21–23 years old
- You try to rent a premium or large vehicle
🚘 Some companies may accept you with additional insurance or young driver fee — ask before booking.
✅ Workarounds & Solutions
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Temporary license only | ❌ Wait until you have the physical one |
| New driver under 21 | ✅ Look for special “young driver” options |
| Driving in Portugal long-term | ✅ Get an International Driving Permit |
| Refused by major brands | ✅ Try local rental companies |
🧭 Final Thoughts
Renting a car in Lisbon with a temporary or provisional license is generally not possible through major agencies. However, if you have a full license held for more than 12 months, you’re good to go.
When in doubt: call the company directly, ask about exceptions, and have a backup plan — like traveling with another driver or using public transport for short trips.
