Guide: what documents you need to rent a car in Bucharest

One of the most frequent questions we receive is: „What documents do I need to rent a car?”. The answer is simpler than many people think, but it is worth knowing it in advance so you have no surprises at pick-up. In this guide you will find the complete list of documents needed to rent a car in Bucharest or at the airport, the driver requirements, special situations (foreign licence, additional driver, company rental) and some practical tips.

The basic documents

To rent a car from Skycar you need two documents, both in the driver’s name:

• A valid identity document — an ID card for Romanian and EU citizens, or a passport for non-EU citizens.
• A valid driving licence, held for at least one year.

That’s it. You don’t need a credit card, proof of income or guarantors. Payment is made when you pick up the car, and if you choose our car rental Bucharest without deposit option, no amount is blocked on your card.

Minimum age and licence history

The minimum age for renting is 21, and the licence must have been held for at least one year. These conditions exist for your safety and that of other road users and are also required by the insurer. You enter your date of birth directly in the booking form, so you know from the start whether you qualify.

What to do if your licence was issued outside the European Union

Licences issued in an EU member state are automatically recognised in Romania. If your licence was issued outside the EU — for example in the United States, Canada, the Republic of Moldova, Turkey or other countries — an International Driving Permit may also be required, especially if the licence is not written in Latin characters. The International Driving Permit does not replace your national licence but accompanies it, so you must carry both.

Our recommendation is to call us before booking on +40 765 416 139 if you have a non-EU licence. We will tell you exactly which documents to present so that pick-up goes smoothly.

Romanians living abroad: which documents to bring

Many of our customers are Romanians living in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom or Germany who come home for the holidays. If you have a valid Romanian ID card and a Romanian or EU licence, you don’t need anything else. If your ID card has expired, you can use your passport. If you have a UK licence issued after Brexit, call us in advance so we can check your situation together.

For those landing directly at the airport, we have a dedicated offer for car rental Otopeni without deposit, with the car handed over right at the terminal.

Additional driver

If you want another person to drive the car as well, it is important to tell us from the start. Each driver must meet the same conditions: minimum age of 21, a licence held for at least one year and an identity document. The additional driver’s details are entered in the contract so that the insurance is valid whoever is driving.

Company rental

If you rent the car for a company, for example for an employee on a business trip, we need the company’s billing details (name, tax ID, address) in addition to the driver’s documents. The invoice is issued to the company, and payment can be made at pick-up. Give us these details when we confirm the booking by phone, so we can prepare everything in advance.

What we check at pick-up

At pick-up our representative checks the original documents, fills in the contract and carries out a quick inspection of the car with you. The condition of the bodywork, the fuel level and the mileage are recorded. This is also when you receive information about insurance: third-party liability (RCA) is included with every car, and details about CASCO and SCDW cover are in our Terms and Conditions.

Common document mistakes

• Licence left at home — a copy or photo of the licence is not enough; you need the original document.
• Expired ID — check the expiry date of your ID card and passport before travelling.
• Booking in someone else’s name — the person driving must be listed in the contract; you cannot pick up the car on someone else’s behalf.
• Suspended licence — if your licence is suspended you cannot rent, even if you still have the physical document.

Checklist before you leave

To make sure you have everything you need, go through this short list before leaving home:

• valid ID card or passport;
• original driving licence;
• International Driving Permit, if your licence is from outside the EU;
• booking confirmation (message or email);
• a charged phone so we can contact you on arrival.

Conclusion

To rent a car in Bucharest you only need an identity document and a driving licence, a minimum age of 21 and one year of driving experience. No credit card, no blocked deposit and free cancellation. If you have a special situation, call us on +40 765 416 139 or write to office@skycar.ro — we help around the clock.