Car Rental in St. John's - Driving Guide & Best Rates

Renting a car in St. John's, Newfoundland is highly recommended for tourists wanting to explore beyond the city center. While St. John's itself is relatively compact and walkable, a rental car becomes invaluable for discovering the stunning coastal scenery, charming outport communities, and natural attractions scattered throughout the Avalon Peninsula. Vehicles drive on the right side of the road, following standard North American driving conventions. Car rental is ideal for visiting Cape Spear (North America's easternmost point), the Irish Loop, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, and other regional highlights that lack convenient public transportation. Road conditions are generally good on main highways, though rural routes can be narrow and winding. Weather conditions, particularly fog and winter snow, require cautious driving. Skip the rental if you're staying exclusively in downtown St. John's, where parking can be limited and most attractions, restaurants, and accommodations are within walking distance. However, for the full Newfoundland experience—dramatic coastlines, hiking trails, and authentic fishing villages—a rental car provides the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Check current rental rates and availability through booking platforms, as prices vary seasonally.

Information Not Available

Specific car rental requirements for St. John's are not available in the current data. Requirements vary by location and rental company.

Verify Location-Specific Rules

Check with rental agencies directly for current requirements including IDP needs, minimum age, insurance, and accepted licenses for your specific St. John's location.

Credit Card

Generally, rental agencies require a credit card for security deposits, but specific requirements should be verified with your chosen provider.

Valid Driver's License

A valid driver's license from your home country is typically required. Check if your specific license is accepted at your destination.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance requirements vary by location and rental company. Verify what coverage is mandatory and what is optional for your rental.

Rental agencies are typically available at St. John's International Airport and in the city center - airport pickup often provides more convenience for arrivals, while city locations may offer competitive rates for local rentals.

Before driving off, thoroughly inspect the vehicle for existing damage, verify the fuel level matches the rental agreement, and confirm you have emergency contact numbers and roadside assistance information.

GPS or smartphone navigation is recommended as St. John's features winding streets and unique local road names - download offline maps as a backup in case of poor signal in certain areas.

Check the fuel policy in your rental agreement (full-to-full is common) and note that parking in downtown St. John's can be limited - research parking options near your accommodation in advance.

Allow extra time when returning your rental to account for refueling and the vehicle inspection process - confirm the return location and hours, especially if dropping off outside regular business hours.

St. John's experiences harsh winter conditions with heavy snow, ice, and reduced visibility from November through April - winter tires are essential and driving speeds should be significantly reduced during storms.

Fog is extremely common year-round in St. John's, particularly during spring and early summer, often reducing visibility to near zero - use low-beam headlights and reduce speed considerably when fog rolls in.

Steep hills throughout the city become treacherous in winter and wet conditions - be prepared for challenging inclines and descents, especially on residential streets that may not be immediately plowed.

Moose are a serious hazard on highways around St. John's, particularly at dawn and dusk - collisions can be fatal, so reduce speed and stay alert when driving outside the city, especially on the Trans-Canada Highway.