Renting a car in Charleston is a comfortable way to explore South Carolina's Lowcountry, its beaches, and the historic city itself, and driving here is easy and well-signed, with rental desks at Charleston International Airport and around the city. A hire car makes the plantations, barrier islands, and coastal drives beyond downtown simple to reach.
Who can rent, and the licence
Most visitors can drive in South Carolina on a valid licence from their home country. If your licence is in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is recommended but not strictly required; if it is in a non-Latin alphabet, an IDP is required. Either way you must present your home-country licence, since you cannot rent on an IDP alone, and non-US visitors should carry a passport. The minimum age to rent is usually 21, with a young-driver surcharge under 25, and a physical credit card is needed for the deposit. Comparison sites such as DiscoverCars help you check availability and prices in advance.
Driving and parking in Charleston
The United States drives on the right. Charleston's historic downtown has narrow, one-way streets and limited kerb space, so metered street parking and public garages are usually the easiest options for visiting the historic district, and many hotels charge separately for parking. Outside the centre, roads and highways are wide and straightforward, and the barrier islands and coastal routes are an easy drive.
Safety and booking tips
Keep to posted speed limits, which are enforced, and note that turning right on red is generally permitted after stopping unless a sign says otherwise. Watch for afternoon storms and, in late summer and autumn, keep an eye on hurricane-season weather advisories. Read the rental terms for the deposit, fuel policy, insurance, and excess, including any young-driver or additional-driver fees, and book ahead in spring and around festivals, when Charleston is busy.