Topics on car hire rental:

advice on car rental (or van rental)...

Before you leave home - Ensure thay you are carrying both your picture and paper driving licences. The paper licence is essential as it shows any endorsements you may have.

When you collect the car:

REMEMBER:

• Most car rental locations require a credit card
• Most car rental locations will not accept debit or switch cards
• You must have held a valid driving licence for one year
• British licence holders should note that many car hire outlets will not release the rental vehicle on sight of a photocard driving licence without also seeing the paper licence counterpart.They may also ask to see the paper licence counterpart of all named drivers.
• Always ask what is included in the rates quoted
• Never initial or sign an agreement without asking about each item
• Do not over insure. If you have travel insurance you do not need personal effects or personal accident insurance
• Pre-purchase or Pre-reserve your car rental
• Remember to book child seats or a roof rack in advance.
• Plan the journey in advance - Some car rental companies provide maps, some will rent you a sat-nav system
• Purchase from agents within your own country in case you need refunds or assistance
• Fair wear and Tear - More information Here
• When you pick-up your vehicle determine where the drop off point is for your return
• Ask if the return area has an attendant. If not, who do you return the car to?
• If you leave the vehicle without check-in, examine it for damage and photograph it from every angle.
• Check your vehicle carefully for signs of damage before driving away. This can be difficult some times if you are in a hurry, it is dark, it is raining, or very very hot and you are in a hurry and have been waiting for the car to be prepared and if it has just been washed and is not dry- however it is very important.
• If they have identified certain areas of damage on the plan of the car and not all of them, return to the hire desk and get the additional damage signed off.
• Check the rental agreement: The rental agreement will normally include a section for the hire company to record the damage that has been identified. Let the car hire company know if damage has not been recorded before you drive away, even if you are anxious to get going. If you have identified damage let them know.
• Drink drive laws vary from country to country - for example in Italy if you have a glass of wine and a grappa with dinner and you are stopped by the police - you will be fined.
• Know your speed limits - these vary from country to country.
• Speed / Radar cameras certainly apply to rental cars as well! The rental company will be notified and the renter contacted by the authorities. Speed traffic camera information is now being sent from one country to another. e.g. someone caught speeding with a French registered car in Italy will find that the fine will be reported to the French authorities if it is not paid.
• Familiarise yourself with the vehicle - Make sure you know where the controls for essential instruments such as headlights, hazzard warning lights and the horn are located. Adjust your seat and wing mirrors accordingly.
• Check with the Hire company if you can take the car out of the country you are renting in.e.g. Going from France into Italy or if renting in Ireland can you take the car into Northern Ireland or into the Republic of Ireland. You will probably have to pay for crossing the border in Ireland.
• Drink Drive laws in Italy Update. Italy Magazine's March 2009 edition reports that the new Codice della Strada (The Highway Code) has stated that if you drink more than three glasses of wine or more than one brandy you will not pass Police alcohol tests. Apart from having the driving license suspended up to a year, the vehicle can also be confiscated and sold by the state.
• When dropping of the car make sure you remove or personal belongings and have it checked in and signed off.

The above information has been supplied by a third party and jml Property Services (insurance4carrental.com / jml Property Insurance.co.uk / jml insurance.co.uk) takes no responsibilty for it's accuracy - September 2009

Fair wear and Tear

The following information is provided by a major UK Car hire company. It should not be relied on for accuracy as other companies would have different definitions. When you go to collect the car you might want to find out the individual company's definition.

This Uk Company say that they do not regard the items listed below as damage, but "fair wear and tear" therefore it is not required to be recorded

Paintwork, Boddy, Bumper and Rubbing Strips.

Interior and luggage area

See also:

Car hire jargon - What does it all mean?

Car hire glossary

Car Rental Hidden Costs

Collision Damage Waiver - CDW

Driving in Australia

Driving in Canada

Driving in New Zealand

Driving in the USA

Driving in Europe

Driving in South Africa

Handy Tips For Car Hire Journeys

M50 Barrier Free Tolling system - Dublin - Ireland

Tips to Avoiding Excessive Car Rental Costs from Carrentals.co.uk - June 2010

Top tips for cheaper car hire

Useful tips for a great car hire experience

Warning from Car hire Rental companies

Warning Triangles - Reflective Vests

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