Driving License to rent a car in Ibiza

[Paris400]

I'm going to be getting my driving license in a few months (New York State driving license) and would like to rent a car in late July early August to discover Ibiza on my own and avoid long lines for taxis.

Anyway, I've checked a few places online and have gotten great prices for my stay, but I've noticed that their policy is to rent only to people who have held a license, European or International, for at least a year. In the US the car rental policy I've found is that you only need a valid license, no time limit is imposed (which is great because I won't be purchasing a car and am only interested in holiday and recreational driving). The fact that I'm over 25 years old had no bearing.

Is this time limit something I'm going to find with all car rental companies in Ibiza? What about renting a moped (50CC)? One company will rent me a powerful SeaDoo jetski for the day with no questions asked (they only asked me to check my holiday insurance coverage) but the car companies seem very strict.

 

[fatphilb]

i think so, nae luck

 

[Paris400]

i think so, nae luck

Ok. Well, if I can't see the island by car then I can see it by Jetski! That should be fun, but I think I'll be seasick after a few hours.

 

[fatphilb]

just hire a goober to do your dirty work

 

[Paris400]

just hire a goober to do your dirty work

First the Pacha girls, now goobers ... I can never escape from being Paris400, can I!!!

 

[fatphilb]

i'll be your goober if you pay me

 

[Paris400]

i'll be your goober if you pay me

Ya know, for a moment there I thought you were mad from the villa party post!

OK - you're hired. I'll be on the island July 22-August 4 and need a driver since I won't be qualified in time. Let me know what times you're available and for how much.

 

[fatphilb]

ahhh piss. im not there till last week in september. oh well.

 

[Phenom]

Do you have a website for DK Auto Rentals? That would be great.

Thanks

 

[Paris400]

everything in Spain is a little more relaxed when it comes to driving. they are not so strict on the rules. for instance, my girlfriend was driving in Ibiza and someone else crashed into the back of her. the cops showed up and my girlfriend realized she left her license at the villa! my girlfriend started crying, as they would arrest you or issue a very expensive fine if that happened in the US. but the Guardia told her "no problem" and they let her use a cell to phone to call me and bring her license & passport to the accident scene.

at our car rental agency they barely glanced at my license. they were more interested in looking at my passport and making sure the credit card was valid so they could get paid

i think you'll be fine. i rented through DK Auto Rentals and they were cool about everything, including the accident, flat tire and our parking ticket

Wow, all that an accident! They should pay me to drive their cars. LOL

Thank you for all the information! I need to get the license first and practice practice practice, and then take my chances! If no car is allowed then a moped is fine, or else I'll rent a limo.

 

[fatphilb]

why not just get someone else to do the driving?? Bound to be others there up for getting a car. We shared a car with two Irish guys for a day in 2004 and was easily the best day of the holiday

 

[snardy]

Please see this thread to learn more about BK Car Rental in Ibiza

Paris, I would strongly recommend renting an automatic, unless you can learn on a manual (stick shift) in the US and get LOTS of practice. The driving situation in Ibiza is fairly chaotic and it's no place to drive a manual transmission if you are not a good driver.

Try to get the cheapest automatic available. It's worth the extra price.

 

[Tony]

Which you would again infer you can't drive as there is no problem with driving in Ibiza - God protect us from America!

 

[snardy]

Which you would again infer you can't drive as there is no problem with driving in Ibiza - God protect us from America!

What are you talking about? The road construction on Ibiza is atrocious (especially the road to the airport from Ibiza Town & the road from Ibiza Town to San Antonio). Add to that drivers who have been up all night in clubs and you have a fairly dangerous driving environment. I was just there in September and it was bad. Paris 400 will need to be especially careful because she is a new driver and will not have much experience by the time she gets to Ibiza this summer. This is why I recommended that she rent an automatic rather than a manual transmission; it will be easier and safer for her to drive.

The chaotic driving situation mainly applies to the southern parts of the island. Up in the north, the roads are perfect and the traffic is minimal. It is very pleasant to drive in the north and the scenery is breathtaking. But please be careful in the south - it can be deadly.

 

[Paris400]

I've seen the roads from the cabs I've taken in Ibiza and it IS very dangerous for an inexperienced driver! I saw a poor bloke and his girlfriend on a moped on the road from PDB to Ses Salinas and it looked very scary for him - the cars were slowing down and moving a little into the other lane in order to pass him, and he looked like he was white knuckling it. I don't want to think what the roads are like after a night of clubbing!!

I'm very excited to learn to drive but am finally being realistic that I should stick to cabs, and that I am TOTALLY not going to be ready to drive in Ibiza for at least ten years LOL I've already gotten a PM about sharing a ride when I'm there - if anyone else needs money for gas to take a trip up north for a day let me know!

What are you talking about? The road construction on Ibiza is atrocious (especially the road to the airport from Ibiza Town & the road from Ibiza Town to San Antonio). Add to that drivers who have been up all night in clubs and you have a fairly dangerous driving environment. I was just there in September and it was bad. Paris 400 will need to be especially careful because she is a new driver and will not have much experience by the time she gets to Ibiza this summer. This is why I recommended that she rent an automatic rather than a manual transmission; it will be easier and safer for her to drive.

The chaotic driving situation mainly applies to the southern parts of the island. Up in the north, the roads are perfect and the traffic is minimal. It is very pleasant to drive in the north and the scenery is breathtaking. But please be careful in the south - it can be deadly.