Can New License Holders Rent a Car?

The car rental process for newly licensed drivers depends on specific experience and age criteria. According to industry standards, simply holding a driver’s license is not enough to rent a vehicle; the driver is expected to have adapted to traffic. Within the framework of the 2026 updated rental policies, here are the details new drivers should keep in mind:

License Duration and Experience Requirements

To minimize the risk of accidents, rental companies require a certain amount of time to have passed since the license issuance date.

General Rule: Most corporate firms require the driver's license to be at least 1 full year old to rent a vehicle.
Segment Differences: A 1-year license is usually only sufficient for economy class vehicles. For mid-range vehicles, 2-3 years of experience may be required, while luxury and premium segments may demand up to 5 years.
Exceptions: Some mobility platforms or local companies may allow rentals for drivers who have completed their "probationary period" (minimum 1 year) and have turned 18 years old.

Status of Probationary (Trainee) License Holders

The 2-year probationary license period, which applies to first-time drivers, is evaluated differently by rental companies.

Limited Options: Most rent-a-car firms do not provide services during the first year of a probationary license (when experience is under 1 year) due to insurance and risk management.
Acceptance Terms: Some companies may accept drivers who have completed at least 1 year of their probationary period, provided they rent an "economy vehicle."
Legal Standing: There is no legal obstacle to probationary drivers driving alone in or out of the city; however, rental companies may apply stricter rules according to their internal policies.

Additional Requirements and Packages for New Drivers

If your license duration or age does not yet meet the standard criteria, the following methods may come into play to enable a rental:

Young Driver Package: Drivers between the ages of 19–21 with at least a 1-year license can rent specific vehicle groups by paying a daily Young Driver Fee.
Higher Provision Fees: The blockage (deposit) amounts held on credit cards may be higher for new license holders.
Full Coverage Insurance: Inexperienced drivers are often required to purchase mini-damage insurance or full coverage insurance packages.
Important Reminder: You must have your physical driver's license with you when renting. Chip ID cards or temporary documents are often not considered sufficient by most firms at the time of delivery.

To review the most suitable vehicle options for your license duration and age with transparent conditions, you can browse the QCAR Mobility vehicle list.

Share on Social Media

Hello, where would you like to start your journey?

Pick-up Office

Where will you pick up the vehicle?

Drop off at a different location

Pick-up Date

12:00

Drop-off Date

12:00

Drop off at a different location

Use Promo Code

Check Out Our Other Content

29 April 2026

The Best In-City and Intercity Routes for Car Renters in Diyarbakır

It wouldn't be wrong to call Diyarbakır—where history whispers to the stones in the heart of Mesopotamia—a massive open-air museum where every street is a saga and every stone is a memory. Discovering this ancient geography, kneaded with the basalt stones of Karacadağ, is too deep and wide to be possible by walking from one end to the other. At this point, utilizing a car rental service turns into the key to truly exploring this massive heritage. When you take the wheel with QCAR comfort, a journey stretching from the edge of the City Walls to the Hevsel Gardens, and from the mystic waters of Eğil to the sorrowful beauty of Hasankeyf, awaits you.

29 April 2026

5 Rules You Should Follow When Renting a Car in İzmir During Summer

To turn your İzmir trip into a flawless plan, determining a professional İzmir car rental strategy is the most important step in guaranteeing the comfort of your holiday. İzmir, the heart of the Aegean, takes on a completely different energy in the summer months with its deep blue bays and roads adorned with olive trees. However, to ensure that the dream holiday—stretching from the eucalyptus-scented roads of Çeşme to the vineyard routes of Urla—does not turn into a logistical chaos, proper preparation is essential. The way to maintain your comfort in İzmir's scorching heat and the traffic that doubles during holiday periods is to make strategic decisions before receiving the keys.

29 April 2026

Hidden Routes You Can Reach from Ankara in 2 Hours by Renting a Car

To transform your Ankara trip into an exploration that goes beyond the borders of the steppe, starting your journey by evaluating the most reliable car rental options will save you both time and comfort. Although Ankara may seem like a city overshadowed by gray buildings and intense bureaucracy, it is actually positioned at the very heart of unique geographies waiting to be discovered. When you turn the wheel in any direction to escape the city noise, it is quite possible to encounter the hidden mystic atmosphere of Anatolia within just a two-hour drive. These journeys with QCAR comfort turn into an intellectual discovery story stretching from the yellow of the steppe to the deep green of the forest, and from the traces of ancient times to the first years of the Republic.