You’ve decided to go on holiday in Sardinia with your friends and you’re starting to organise your trip. Maybe you’ve just realised that, to move easily around the island and reach the most remote and unspoilt places, you’ll need a rental car. Excellent choice! Renting a vehicle in Sardinia is undoubtedly the best option for making the most of your holiday.

In one of our guides, we’ve collected all the documents and requirements needed for car rental. Today, however, we want to explain how to rent a vehicle if you’re under 25 or a newly licensed driver.

Car rental if you’re under 25

To rent a car, a minimum age of 25 and at least two years of driving experience are generally required. But what happens if you haven’t reached the required age yet? Don’t worry! All drivers aged 21 and above can rent a car short-term by paying a small daily “young driver” supplement.

This rule also applies when there are multiple drivers on the rental agreement and one of them is under 25.

What happens if you are a newly licensed driver?

As you know, when you obtain your driving licence you enter a period during which you are considered a “newly licensed driver”. The regulations for new drivers clearly define specific limitations and obligations. In particular:

  • vehicle limitation: the law sets a maximum of 55kW per tonne (a ratio between the vehicle’s weight and engine power);
  • speed limits: 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on main extra-urban roads;
  • licence points: when a newly licensed driver receives a fine with point deduction, the number of points deducted is doubled;
  • alcohol limit: zero tolerance for new drivers.

The new driver period lasts for three years from the date of passing the practical driving test, therefore from the moment the licence is issued.

Car rental for newly licensed drivers

Now let’s look specifically at car rental for newly licensed drivers and examine the different scenarios.

If a newly licensed driver is under 21 years old, even with two years of driving experience, they cannot rent a car because the minimum age requirement is not met. If the driver is at least 21 and has two full years of driving experience, they can rent a car normally with the standard daily supplement. If the driver is at least 21 and has two years of driving experience but is still classified as a newly licensed driver, rental is allowed as long as the vehicle complies with the limitations established by law.

If the rental request comes from a driver who is at least 25 years old but whose licence has been valid for less than two years, the rental cannot be completed. Conversely, if the licence has been valid for at least two years, the rental is allowed even if the driver is still considered newly licensed, provided the car meets the legal requirements.

On our website, you can book your rental car in just a few clicks and enjoy full assistance for any questions or needs during your holiday!