Driver wins settlement over car rental age discrimination

An Australian man in his 70s has been successful in an action which requires a rental car firm to waive surcharges imposed on elderly drivers – a settlement that has been welcomed by Age Action and the Equality Tribunal in Ireland.

In May of 2006, Christian Brother Anthony White, who is based in Australia, wanted to rent a car at the Dublin airport, when he was informed that as he was past the age of 70, there would be an additional fee charged of €25 per day, which was one-third of the normal rental cost.

The car hire operator also informed him that he would not be able to rent a car when he next visited Ireland, as he would be over 75 years old.

Brother White has held an Australian Heavy Vehicle Licence for more than 50 years. He objected to the surcharge and first raised the issue with the rental car company, Irish Car Rentals Limited, and eventually with the Equality Tribunal.

As a result of its negotiations with the Equality Authority, Irish Car Rentals abolished its older driver surcharge and the automatic ban on drivers who are over 75 years old. It has introduced, instead, as assessment of older drivers that takes into account health, driving record and existing insurance cover.

www.ageaction.ie