What must a person hold to rent a motor vehicle legally?

To legally rent a motor vehicle, an individual must hold a valid driver's license. This requirement is in place because a driver's license is proof that the individual has passed the necessary tests and is legally permitted to operate a vehicle. Renting a car involves driving it on public roads, which mandates having the appropriate legal permissions that a driver's license provides.

While having an insurance policy can be important for car rentals, it's not a prerequisite to rent a vehicle itself as the rental company often provides options for insurance coverage. A passport is not sufficient alone since it doesn’t verify driving capability. Similarly, a vehicle registration document pertains to the ownership of a vehicle and does not relate directly to the rental process. Thus, the only option that confirms someone is legally allowed to drive the rented vehicle is a valid driver's license.