Practical Car & Van Rental: no deposit car hire
Hire company · Checked on 05/11/2026
7.5out of 10
Practical sets a minimum deposit of £250 on most cars and vans, either held on the card or charged and refunded later. Visa Debit is accepted for UK residents, who need a share code and two proofs of identity and address. Visitors from abroad need a credit card.
Key facts
| Deposit | Minimum £250 source |
|---|---|
| Debit card | Visa Debit accepted source |
| Prepaid card | Prepaid cards refused source |
| Credit card required | Non-UK residents only source |
| Minimum age | 23 at most locations source |
| Excess | Standard excess about £500 source |
| Deposit refund | Up to 10 working days source |
| Extra documents | 2 extra IDs, max 12 weeks source |
What to watch for
- Some locations set the minimum age at 25. A young driver surcharge may apply at ages 23 to 25, with a higher excess and deposit.
- MPVs, minibuses and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have a minimum deposit of £500.
- Locations may refuse Maestro, Visa Electron and prepaid top-up cards. Collision damage waiver can cut the excess, usually to no less than about £150.
How this score is built
- Deposit: 40% × 0.75
- Cards accepted: 30% × 0.8
- Excess: 20% × 0.75
- Minimum age: 10% × 0.38
Result: 7.5 out of 10. How we score