Frequently Asked Questions

No. 4Drive does not require a deposit or credit card hold when you rent a car in the Canary Islands. You pay only the rental price and any extras you choose. This makes our service ideal if you don't have a credit card or simply prefer not to have funds blocked on your account.

Yes. You can pay by Visa or Mastercard debit card, or in cash (euros). We accept payment on collection at our desks at Tenerife South Airport, Tenerife North Airport, Gran Canaria Airport, Lanzarote Airport and La Palma Airport. If you book hotel delivery, you pay the driver when the car is delivered to you.

No. Unlike most rental companies, 4Drive does not require a credit card. A debit card or cash is perfectly fine. There is no hold placed on your card and no deposit to worry about.

Yes. Every 4Drive rental includes Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third Party Liability insurance with zero excess. You are fully covered from day one, with no hidden insurance upsells at the desk. If damage occurs, you will not be charged - that's our promise.

Yes. We offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before your pickup time. If your plans change, simply let us know and we will refund you in full. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before pickup are non-refundable.

4Drive has desks at Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia, TFS), Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos, TFN), Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), Lanzarote Airport (ACE) and La Palma Airport (SPC). We also offer free hotel delivery in Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Puerto de la Cruz and other major resorts on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and La Palma. Simply tell us your hotel name when you book.

Usually 10 - 15 minutes. Our staff will check your documents (driving licence, passport or ID, and flight details), explain the rental terms, complete the paperwork, hand over the keys and show you where the car is parked. You can then drive away. At busy times (winter season peak), please allow a little longer.

No problem. Our airport desks are open from early morning until late evening every day of the year. If your flight arrives later than expected, your car will still be waiting for you. Just collect it whenever you land - no need to call ahead.

Return the car to the same airport or location where you collected it. Park in the designated 4Drive bays (we will show you where when you pick up), leave the keys at our desk, and you're done. If you need a different drop-off location (for example, you fly into Tenerife South and out of Tenerife North), please ask when booking - we can usually arrange this for a small extra fee.

You need a valid driving licence (held for at least one year), a passport or national ID card, and proof of your flight booking or accommodation. If your licence is not from an EU country and is not written in Roman script (for example, licences in Arabic, Cyrillic or Chinese characters), you must also bring an International Driving Permit (IDP).

You must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for a minimum of one year. Drivers aged 21 - 24 may be subject to a young driver supplement, depending on the car category you choose. Drivers 25 and over can rent any vehicle in our fleet with no age surcharge.

Yes. Additional drivers cost EUR 5 per day and must meet the same age and licence requirements as the main driver. Both drivers must be present at pickup and show their documents. This is useful if you plan to share the driving on long trips - for example, from Tenerife South up to Teide National Park or across Gran Canaria to the Roque Nublo.

In Spain (including the Canary Islands) you drive on the right-hand side of the road. The driver sits on the left of the car. If you're coming from the UK or Ireland, it may take a few minutes to adjust, but the roads are well signposted and most tourists adapt quickly.

Standard limits are 120 km/h on motorways (autopistas and autovias such as the TF-1 and GC-1), 90 km/h on rural roads, and 50 km/h in towns and villages. Some mountain roads have lower posted limits - always follow the signs. Speed cameras are common on the main routes, so stick to the limits.

No. All roads on Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma are toll-free. You can drive the entire TF-1 motorway down the south coast of Tenerife or the GC-1 on Gran Canaria without paying a cent. Fuel is also notably cheaper in the Canary Islands than on the Spanish mainland or in most of Europe.

The roads to Teide National Park, the Masca gorge and the Anaga rural park on Tenerife are steep, winding and sometimes narrow. Drive slowly, use low gears on descents, and allow extra time. The views are spectacular, but the roads demand concentration. An automatic gearbox can make mountain driving easier, and a compact SUV such as the Seat Arona gives you a little more confidence on steep climbs. Most tourists manage fine - just take it steady and enjoy the scenery.

Only with our prior approval. The Canary Islands are connected by regular ferries (Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas), but taking a rental car between islands requires written permission from 4Drive and may incur an additional fee. Please ask us when you book if you plan to island-hop - we can often arrange this, but it's not included automatically.

Most hotels and resorts offer free parking for guests. In towns such as Puerto de la Cruz, Los Cristianos and Las Palmas, look for blue-zone metered parking (pay at the machine, display the ticket on your dashboard) or underground car parks (parkings). Parking is generally free in smaller villages and at beaches outside the main resorts. Never leave valuables visible in the car.

Full-to-full. You collect the car with a full tank of fuel and return it with a full tank. This is the fairest policy and means you pay only for the fuel you actually use. Petrol stations (gasolineras) are plentiful on Tenerife and Gran Canaria; slightly less common on Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma, but you will not have trouble finding fuel. Diesel (gasoleo) is cheaper than petrol (gasolina).

Yes. Child seats cost EUR 5 per day, GPS units EUR 5 per day. Request these when you book. We have infant seats (0 - 13 kg), toddler seats (9 - 18 kg) and booster seats (15 - 36 kg). Most modern rental cars also have Bluetooth, so you can use your own phone for navigation if you prefer.

Call our 24-hour emergency number (provided when you collect the car). We will arrange roadside assistance or a replacement vehicle if necessary. Remember, you have full insurance with zero excess, so you are not liable for damage costs. In the event of an accident, exchange details with the other driver, take photos if possible, and call the police (112) if there are injuries or significant damage.

Yes. We offer a range of automatic vehicles, including the Seat Ibiza (compact), Seat Arona (compact SUV), Toyota C-HR (SUV) and VW T-Roc Cabriolet (convertible). Automatics are popular for mountain driving and cost a little more than manual cars. Book early in peak season (November - March and July - August) as demand is high.

The Canary Islands enjoy year-round sunshine, with temperatures between 22 - 26 C even in winter. Peak demand is from November to March (winter sun season, especially Christmas and New Year) and July - August (European summer holidays). If you travel in these periods, book well ahead to secure your preferred car and the best rates. Spring (April - May) and autumn (September - October) are quieter and still offer excellent weather.

We recommend booking at least 2 - 4 weeks ahead for winter and summer peak periods. Last-minute bookings are often possible, but availability may be limited and prices higher. Early booking gives you the widest choice of vehicles and the lowest rates.

Contact us as soon as you know you'd like to keep the car longer. We will check availability and arrange an extension if possible. Extensions are charged at the daily rate for your original booking. If you extend without telling us, you may be charged a higher daily rate or face late return fees, so please let us know in advance.