Ireland Car Rentals
We can provide just about any type of wheels while in Ireland --
from the standard manual transmission economy cars that come with our low-priced Ireland Fly & Drive Packages
to mini vans and chauffered transportation.
Just let me know what you're looking for and I'll find it.
Choosing The Right Ireland Car Rental Size
We recommend getting the smallest car possible to reduce costs, fuel and the ease-of-driving the small Irish roads... however clients
always try to go smaller than they should. Trying to fit three adults in an economy car is going to save, say $50, but make your trip
miserable!
We list the recommended number of adults per car with all of our rentals and this is a good general rule for trips of 6 nights
or less. If you're planning on a trip longer than 6 or 7 nights I would highly recommend upgrading to the next size car to
accommodate the additional luggage and souvenir room as well as leg room for those stuck in the back.
- Airport Surcharge
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Ireland Car Rental Airport Surcharge
There is a tax (about €23 per car) for picking up rental cars at the Dublin or Shannon Airports. This fee is usually not collected
here in the U.S. however our typical rentals include this tax while others do not.
I believe this fee is waived if you do not pick up the car the same day as your arrival -- so if you spend a few days
in Dublin and then return to pick up the car, you will save this tax.
- Age Restrictions
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Ireland Car Rental Age Restrictions
Car rentals are restricted to those between the ages of 21 and 75 only and there are surcharges for those on the fringes.
If you are between 21 and 23 there is a supplement insurance surcharge of approximately €25 per day and for those 71 - 75
the surcharge is €10 per day, both payable directly to the rental company. These rates are subject to change and vary by
rental agency. If you are over the age of 75, you cannot rent a car in Ireland. Some agencies will allow this
if you have a previous record with them before turning 75.
- Ireland Gas Prices
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Ireland Gas Prices
November 2010: €1.33 per liter unleaded = $1.99 US x 4 = $7.98 per gallon (approximately). You can find updated prices
through http://www.aaireland.ie/petrolprices/
- Additional Drivers
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Additional Drivers
Each rental comes with one driver autmatically covered under the rental agreement. Additional drivers are registered,
and paid for, at the time of check-in. Just make sure you both have your valid U.S. licenses and you're set.
Oh ... there is a surcharge, of course. It's approximately €5-6 per additional driver, per car, per day.
We've had many requests to pay this fee upfront but people change their minds, reservations change, etc. and the refund
or change process is time consuming and costly therefore all additional drivers are presented and paid at check-in.
- Return Tank Full?
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Return Tank Full?
Some rental car agencies make you prepay the first tank of gas and ask that you return the car empty... but how likely
are you to return the car empty when traveling in another country? Very unlikely and therefore they fill up the tank again
and charge the next customer for a full tank, making money off of you.
I've addressed this with a few rental agencies at the 2002 Irish Tourist Board Convention and the answer is simple: return
the car full and they'll refund your prepaid tank! Simple and saves a few dollars!
Please note that Auto Europe typically states in their contract that there will
be no refunds if you return the tank full - very important because you could lose $60 or more by filling up.
Lowest Priced Ireland Car Rentals
If you've read about package pricing you know that purchasing a car alone doesn't yield the best rates. If you're
arranging everything yourself then the lowest priced car rentals, I've found, are with Auto Europe
however their Ireland rentals do not allow for a refund for the first tank of gas if you return the car full.
If you need Car Insurance in Ireland, you can add it for a small fee
compared to other companies. I've personally used Auto Europe in Ireland as well
as Italy without a problem. Best of all, Auto Europe Free Rental Upgrades typically
apply to rentals in Ireland so pay for the economy car and in most cases you'll
get an upgrade to a compact car for the same price!
All-Inclusive Ireland Rental Rates - No Hidden Costs
Location Fee: The Location/Depot Service Fee of EUR 28.00 including tax is included in the rate, so there are no
surprises upon picking up the rental car.
Toll Roads: A new barrier free toll system is in place (Aug 30/08) on the M50 Dublin
Ring Road. It is the duty of the hirer to pay this before 8pm the following day or fines from EU6 - EU40 or Later EU100 will apply. Pay
at Payzone outlets nationwide or by calling 1890 50 10 50 with your Credit/Debit card. www.eflow.ie
All other tolls roads you pay directly. Any fines/fees sent to us will be charged to clients card with the appropriate service fees.
See below: full text.
Drivers License: Drivers must be in possession of a full unendorsed driving license and be driving on a regular basis for 2 years prior to the
commencement of rental. Licenses must be produced in person at the time of collection. Certain minor endorsements/offences may be
accepted please check with Central Reservations before making a booking. Additional drivers are charged at €8 per day.
Any client with a UK hoto card driving license must have the 2 parts of their current driving license in their possession at time of rental. We cannot rent
to UK clients who arrive with only a portion of their license. Failure to produce your license and credit card will result in you being unable to pick up your car.
Drivers: Must be between the ages of 21 and 75 to rent a car, with surcharges applied to drivers between 21 - 23 and 71 - 75. Minimum age for rentals at Knock
Airport is 25. Executive cars and Minibuses have age restrictions and drivers must be 28 years old to drive class H/I/K/W1/N/Z.
Child Seats: May be rented for children weighing up to 40 lbs. These seats will be provided but must be fitted by clients.
Rental Minimum: There is a 2-day minimum for all car rentals. Please note that a minimum 7 day rental period will apply
over the dates from 19th Dec to 4th Jan due to limited availability of vehicles.
One Way Rentals: Are subject to a 3 day minimum rental charge. This applies to rentals being picked up and dropped off at different locations.
Cross Border Driving: Unlike other car rental companies Dooley Car Rentals does not charge additional fees for cross border driving.
Road Fund Charge: Dooley Car Rentals does not charge a road fund fee.
Specific Car Models:
Cars can be reserved by group only and not by specific model. Similar
or larger cars may be substituted at the rental company's discretion.
PAI. Personal Accident Insurance: May be purchased to cover the driver for injury or death up to EUR 12,500 for EUR 6.50 per day.
CDI Insurance Southern Ireland:
A rate inclusive of CDI insurance will have an insurance deductible
(excess) of EUR 1000 and EUR 1500, depending on vehicle size. This can
be reduced to EUR100 for a fee of EUR 12 and EUR 18 per day,
respectively.
CDI Insurance Northern Ireland:
A rate inclusive of CDI insurance will have an insurance
deductible (excess) of £600 and £800, depending on vehicle size. This
can be reduced to Zero for a fee of £8 and £10 per day, respectively.
The hirer is still liable for tyres/wheels and glass.
In Derry Airport clients are liable for £600 excess and this can be reduced to £300 by paying £5 per day.
Theft insurance is
INCLUDED in the CDI insurance.
VAT RATES:
Car Rental is subject to a VAT Rate of 13.5% on all rentals
up to a 35 day limit within a 365 day time frame. We include this vat
rate. Where a Renter exceeds a period of 35 days during the course of
one or more periods of hire in any 365 consecutive day period, a
higher Vat Rate of 21% will be charged to the rental that breaches the
35 days and each subsequent rental within that 365 day timeframe.
Van Hire is subject to a VAT rate of 21% in all circumstances.
These Vat Rates are non-negotiable and enforceable as per Republic of Ireland Taxation Legislation.
MasterCard/Amex and Visa:
Certain credit cards offer collision but most Visa, Mastercards &
Amex cards have cancelled coverage for Ireland from Sept 1st 2006.
Some cards offer coverage for Canadian cardholders. A letter of
authorization from the credit card company MUST be presented at time of
rental in order to waive the CDI coverage. Theft insurance may not be
included in this.
It is the responsibility of the cardholder to determine
coverage and present proof upon rental. If proof of coverage is
insufficient, the renter will be charged for CDI. No cars will be
rented without insurance.
Own Insurance Transferred: If
you transfer your own comprehensive insurance to our car or van you
will still be required to pay Contingant Liability at Euro 8.00 daily.
Flight Information: For all airport collections, you must provide us with the correct flight number and arrival time when booking your vehicle.
Confirmation: Please read your confirmation carefully and check all details are correct, i.e. pick up date, flight number, car size.
Traffic Fines:
Parking, Speeding,litter and other traffic fines are the responsibility
of the main renter and will be charged to your credit card when the
fine is received, plus any administration fees.
Lost Keys: Vehicle
keys are chip-coded and are costly and timely items to replace. If you
lose the rented vehicle's key, you will be obliged to pay for its
replacement (approximately EUR 300.00) plus any associated transport
costs in connecting you with a new key or car.
Wrong Fuel: Should you
or someone else put the wrong fuel in the hire vehicle, all fees
relating to this will be charged for plus a replacement vehicle.
Condition of Vehicle on Return:
We require that the hirer return the vehicle in a clean condition
(normal wear and tear excepted) such that only normal valetting would be
required. Any damage to seats or carpets will give rise to an
additional charge. Any damage caused to a vehicle returned out of office
hours is the responsibility of the hirer until checked in.
Auto Theft: We
strongly recommend that you park the vehicle in supervised car
parks/garages in the major cities and never leave any personal items on
view inside the vehicle as damage resulting from the theft of these
will be charged for. Also, keep your key in a safe place at all times
and do not allow an unisured driver access to it.
Cancel/Modify: Depending on the circumstances these may incur a penalty.
Roadside Assistance:
All Dan Dooley cars are fully covered by Automobile Association (AA) Membership
TAKE NOTE:
Barrier Free Tolling on Dublin's M50 motorway
Toll Boothes replaced by new barrier free tolling system.
Customers should
be aware that there is no longer a cash payment facility at the
tolling point on the M50 motorway (Dublin's Ringroad). Drivers of all
vehicles using the section of the M50 between Junction 6 (N3
Blanchardstown) and Junction 7 (N4 Lucan) are liable to pay a toll.