Can you take a rental car on the Nürburgring?

For many driving enthusiasts visiting Germany, the idea of taking a rental car on the Nürburgring is tempting. After all, this legendary racetrack – known as the “Green Hell” – is open to the public on most days for so-called tourist drives. But before you point your GPS toward the Nordschleife in a car you picked up at the airport, there’s something you need to know.

Most traditional rental companies explicitly prohibit track driving in their terms and conditions.

Why rental cars from standard providers aren’t allowed on the Nürburgring

Large rental agencies like SIXT, Avis, Europcar, and Hertz include strict clauses in their contracts that forbid customers from driving on race tracks – and yes, the Nürburgring is considered a race track, even during tourist drives.

Let’s take a closer look at each company’s policies:

SIXT

The vehicle may not be used… for motor sport purposes, in particular driving events where the purpose is the attainment of high speeds, or for associated practice drives… on race courses.
(Source: SIXT Terms & Conditions)

SIXT makes it very clear that their vehicles are not allowed on race tracks. This includes the Nürburgring, regardless of whether you’re attending an official event or just doing tourist laps.

Pro tip: Many of their vehicles are also delivered with winter tires all year round, which makes them especially unsafe for high-speed cornering.

AVIS

Do not use the vehicle… on a racetrack, for racing, pace making, testing whether for reliability or speed.
(Source: Avis Terms)

Avis prohibits any racetrack usage – including Nürburgring tourist drives – and flags any such use as negligent or abusive. If anything goes wrong, you could be fully liable.

EUROPCAR

Use of the vehicle for racing… applies to tourist drives on the Nürburgring.
(Source: Europcar Terms)

Europcar explicitly mentions tourist drives, making it crystal clear: even if the track is open to the public, you’re not allowed to drive their vehicles on it.

HERTZ

It is forbidden to drive the vehicle on race tracks even if approved for general traffic, e.g. tourist drives on the Nürburgring… violations against this provision Hertz can charge a contractual penalty of EUR 2,500.
(Source: Hertz Terms)

Hertz not only prohibits you from driving on the Nürburgring – they also specify a contractual penalty of €2,500 if you’re caught violating this rule. That’s not just a warning – it’s a fixed fine written directly into the contract.

This means that even without causing damage to the car, you risk being charged thousands of euros just for driving on the Nordschleife. And since Nürburgring photos and videos are widely available online, there’s a good chance they’ll find out.

Think you can get away with it? Think again.

Even if you’re tempted to “just do one lap,” here’s the reality:

• Dozens of spectators and photographers line the track every day.
• Services like racetracker.de automatically upload photos of your car on the Nürburgring.
• Social media videos often go viral – sometimes with license plates visible.

If the rental company sees your car in one of these public uploads, you’re at risk of voiding your insurance, paying for all damages yourself, or even being blacklisted.

Why regular rental cars aren’t suited for the Nürburgring

Even if it was allowed, there’s a good reason you shouldn’t take a standard rental car on the Nordschleife:

• No safety features like 4-point harnesses, roll cage or bucket seats.
• No performance brake pads or brake fluid
• No upgraded suspension optimized for this specific track.
• Often poor tires (e.g., winter tires in summer!)

In short, they’re built for commuting, not cornering at 150 km/h.

The safer alternative: Rent a car made for the Nürburgring

At Drivenürburg, we specialize in rental cars that are designed and prepared specifically for the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced track enthusiast, we’ve got cars that match your skill level and budget.

Our cars feature:

• High-performance brakes
• Track-focused suspension setups
• Proper tires (e.g., Yokohama or Nankang semi-slicks)
• Racing harnesses and safety gear
• Transparent pricing with track use included

No hidden fees. No contract surprises. Just pure driving fun – legally and safely.

Final Thoughts: Don’t risk it – rent from us

Taking a rental car on the Nürburgring sounds like a fun shortcut – but with strict contract limitations, financial risks, and safety concerns, it’s simply not worth it.

Instead, rent from a company that welcomes you to the track. At Drivenürburg, Nürburgring is not the exception – it’s the reason we exist.