If you don't hold a driver's license issued in Germany, then you may need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your place of residence to be allowed to rent a car. You should also be aware that if you do need an IDP, it has no validity on its own. You'll have to show your current license your passport and other forms of identification as well. Lastly, it's important that the credit card you used to book the rental vehicle matches the name on your driver's license and passport. Some other requirements for international car rentals are:
- Age restrictions: You need to be 25 or over in most places to rent a car. If you're younger than that, it might still be possible to rent a car but you'll have to pay a Young Driver's Surcharge. Additional restrictions may also apply to the types of vehicles available to rent.
- Driving limitations: Be sure to read the fine print before you drive off the lot. Usually, you can't cross country borders, drive on ferries or on certain types of rugged terrain with a rental vehicle.