Car rental without a credit card
We accept debit cards and cash for several categories, with a deposit paid up front. Here's exactly what applies and what you'll need.
- accepted
- Debitaccepted
- by prior arrangement
- Cashby prior arrangement
- terms before you book
- In writingterms before you book
Most rental companies ask for a credit card in the main driver’s name. The reason isn’t payment — that can be made any way — but the deposit. A credit card allows an amount to be held without money actually leaving the account, which a debit card doesn’t do in the same way.
That doesn’t make renting without a credit cardimpossible. It means a different arrangement, which we’d rather sort out before you arrive than at the desk. Here is exactly what we accept.
What we accept
- Debit cardin the main driver’s name, for most car categories and all two-wheelers. The deposit is genuinely charged and refunded when the vehicle comes back.
- Cash, by prior arrangement, for small and mid-size categories. A larger deposit and additional identification are required.
- Bank transfer for monthly hires and for company bookings against an invoice.
What isn’t covered
For the large categories — SUVs, nine-seat minibuses and premium models — a credit card remains necessary, because the size of the deposit makes it impractical otherwise. The same applies to rentals where the vehicle will be taken to an island by ferry.
Documents and conditions
A little more than with a credit card, but nothing difficult.
A valid driving licence
In the main driver's name, held for at least a year.
ID card or passport
The original, not a photocopy or a photo on a phone.
A second proof of address
A utility bill or tax statement, for cash rentals only.
A debit card in your name
With enough available balance for the deposit, which is genuinely charged.
A higher deposit
Cash rentals carry a larger deposit than card rentals.
Arranging it in advance
Tell us when booking, not at collection, so we can prepare the right paperwork.
How the deposit works
With a credit card
The amount is held but not charged. No money leaves your account; your available limit is simply reduced for a while. When the vehicle comes back the hold is released, usually within a few working days depending on your bank.
With a debit card
Here the amount is genuinely chargedand refunded after the vehicle is returned. The refund typically takes three to ten working days depending on your bank — that part isn’t within our control. Factor it into your planning, particularly if you’re travelling on a tight budget.
With cash
The deposit is paid in cash at collection and returned in cash on the vehicle’s return, once it has been checked. Because there’s no card as a fallback the amount is higher and we ask for an additional proof of address.
Why there’s a deposit at all
It covers the insurance excess in the event of damage, any fines that arrive after the return, and the fuel if the vehicle comes back with less than it left with. If none of those happens, it’s returned in full. If you’d rather reduce the amount, you can take upgraded insurance cover — see how that affects the cost on the prices page.
Frequently asked
Yes, for most car categories and all two-wheelers. The difference is that the deposit is genuinely charged rather than held, and refunded after the vehicle is returned.
Yes, by prior arrangement and for small and mid-size categories. A higher deposit and a second proof of address are required.
With a debit card, usually three to ten working days depending on your bank. With cash, it's returned immediately on the vehicle's return once it has been checked.
Yes. The card must belong to the main driver, in the same name as the licence. We can't accept a third party's card, even if they're present.
Deposits on two-wheelers are lower, so debit cards are accepted across all categories and cash is a more straightforward option than it is for cars.
Get in touch before booking. In many cases we can work something out with cash and additional identification, but it has to be agreed in advance rather than at collection.
Ask us before you book
Tell us which card you hold and which category you're interested in. We'll confirm in writing what applies and how much deposit is needed.