Do I need a credit card to rent a car?

You need to be in possession of a valid credit card to collect a rental car, or a deposit will be applied. This must be in the name of the main driver cannot be a pre-paid credit card or a debit card and must have sufficient funds available.
This enables the car rental provider to authorize a security deposit, which covers any parking or speeding fines, uninsured parts of the vehicle, fuel charges if applicable, and in the unlikely event that a claim is made when the insurance has been invalidated.