Renting a car can be a great way to get around and explore a new place. Whether it’s the excitement of a road trip that you’re after, or simply a convenient way to reach different locations, you can rent pretty much any car and pretty much anywhere. However, finding the best car rental deals can be tricky and it’s easy to overspend. For this reason, I have compiled a handy list of the main things you should know before renting a car when travelling.
These tips will help you find the best deal for you, save money and have a smooth and enjoyable trip!
If you’re looking for inspiration for your next road trip, check out my post on the spectacular Garden Route in South Africa. For even more rugged beauty and adventure, consider a road trip to the Isle of Skye.
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Save money by comparing prices across multiple providers
It feels like everyone has a deal to offer for your holiday car rental when booking trips. Whenever you’re paying for your flight or your hotel a little banner always comes up, advertising some kind of car rental option.
While booking your car rental at the same time as other parts of your holiday can be a practical option, there are many other platforms and companies that can offer better prices. And because it’s impossible to know which platform will have the best and cheapest deals, comparison sites are the easiest way to find the best prices.
There are definitely many great comparison sites around with car rental offers, but my favourite is DiscoverCars. They specialise in car rental and operate with both large and smaller providers. Moreover, their website contains detailed information about each offer and it’s presented in a clear and consistent way. This makes it simple to compare not only prices, but also conditions of hire, restrictions, and how to collect and return the car.
And finally, in my experience DiscoverCars tends to have the best prices as well. Overall, I would highly recommend them if you’re renting a car on your next trip.
Check the age and licence requirements for renting a car
All car rental companies have their own age and driving licence requirements. It’s vital to check these carefully before making a booking to avoid problems at collection.
When it comes to the driver’s age, the requirements can vary across countries. However, in most countries you’ll need to be at least 21 to rent a car. Minimum age requirements also vary across companies, and even across vehicle classes. For example, young drivers often cannot rent large cars.
Young drivers are also usually charged additional fees, typically until 25 or 26 years of age. Young driver surcharges can also vary greatly across countries and companies. It’s important to bear this in mind, because in many countries renting a car as a young driver could be significantly more expensive.
They will also always require you to have held your driving licence for a period of time. This varies as well, but it’s usually between 1 and 3 years. Some companies will also have requirements regarding driving licence points and endorsements. These restrictions are not too common, but you should still check them to see if they could impact your rental.
Check the security deposit requirements
When renting a car you will often have to pay a security deposit, usually when collecting the vehicle, to cover unexpected expenses accrued during the rental period. These additional charges usually result from damage to the car.
The way you pay this deposit can vary though. Some companies will allow you to pay it with a debit or credit card, and later refund it to you if no charges are applicable. However, many companies will require you to have a credit card. They will clock the deposit amount on your credit card, without charging it. They’ll only collect the money if additional expenses are applicable. If everything is fine, the credit will simply be unblocked.
It’s also usually a requirement that the card used for the security deposit is in the driver’s name. Make sure to check all that your rental company requires for the security deposit with plenty of time. Ensure you can meet the requirements or that you get a credit card if you need one, otherwise your rental may be refused.
Avoid renting a car at airports if possible
This is a money saving tip. Car rental offices at airports often charge additional fees, which will make the rental more expensive. For this reason, it’s generally cheaper to start your rental away from airports. If it suits your trip, try to travel from the airport to a location in town and rent your car there. Aside from the cheaper prices, off-airport locations will probably be quieter as well.
Be aware that returning the car to the same location is usually cheaper
This is another money saving tip that’s useful to bear in mind. If you collect your rental car at one location but return it to another, companies will charge you a one-way fee. The amount they charge can vary widely, so it’s crucial to compare prices on platforms such as DiscoverCars.
One-way vary greatly across the world. In some countries they can be quite low, but in others they can be very expensive. In some instances, it may be better to do a round road trip and return the car back to the same location.
Take pictures of existing damage before driving off
Often a car rental employee will inspect the car with you before giving you the keys. It’s important to pay attention and bring up any damage that you notice to ensure it’s documented.
However, it’s also advisable to take pictures of any existing damage before you drive off as well, even if an inspection has taken place. This way, you’ll have time-stamped photos to conveniently show on your phone during or after return inspections. Should the company try to charge you for damage you didn’t cause, you can use these photos to prove that it was already there.
If you want additional insurance, you should purchase it in advance
Third-party insurance, the minimum cover required by law in most countries, is usually included in the rental price. However, it only covers for damage you may cause to other vehicles if you get into an accident that is your fault, and not for damage to your own vehicle. Therefore, buying additional insurance that covers damages to your own vehicle can give you the peace of mind you are looking for in a holiday.
However, car rental companies usually try to sell additional insurance to you when collecting the vehicle. These last-minute policies are often very expensive, with £20 per day being a common price. So, it’s much better to arrange additional, comprehensive insurance ahead of time. This is another reason why I like DiscoverCars, as they offer their own additional cover. You can simply purchase it when booking your rental and easily check all the details. It’s a convenient and comprehensive policy that will be much cheaper than buying one last-minute.
Always keep the emergency contact details on hand
Car rental companies will provide all the contact details that you’d need to call should an emergency arise. This could be for an accident, a breakdown, a flat tyre or any other potential situations where you need assistance.
Emergencies can happen, so it’s important to always keep these contact details on hand. You should keep them in the car and in a location from which you can easily access them. Luckily, rental companies generally make this easy. They will usually give you your documents and emergency instructions in a small booklet that you can easily keep in the glovebox or door bin.
I would also recommend familiarising yourself with the emergency instructions before driving off. This should ensure that you know what to do in an emergency situation.
Check your contract for any activity restrictions
It’s important to check your rental’s terms and conditions for any restrictions on where you can drive the car. For example, many rental contracts will not allow you to drive the vehicle in off-roading conditions, because insurance policies usually don’t cover it.
If you’re renting on an island, rental companies will often not let you bring the car to the mainland. Conversely, if you’re renting in mainland locations but are planning to visit an island, check that your rental allows you to take ferries.
Crossing a border into another country may also be restricted. If you’re planning to drive to a different country than the one you’re renting in, check that your contract allows it. Even when it’s allowed, crossing a border will also usually incur an additional fee.
Another possible restriction to check for is the daily distance allowance. Some car rental companies will have a limit on the distance you can travel each day before incurring an excess fee. Some companies, however, will have unlimited allowances for distance. These restrictions are usually quite generous, so most renters will not be affected. However, it’s still useful to check them to ensure they suit your trip.
And finally, familiarise yourself with driving laws in the country where you’re renting a car
It’s important to know the local driving laws before getting behind the wheel on holiday. Rules on speed limits, parking or even traffic lights may be different from your own country. There are plenty of guides and blogs online to easily learn about driving laws in different countries. This article gives useful summaries of driving laws in popular tourist destinations. Driving laws can also get pretty strange in some places, as indicated in this article.
Also, remember that driving laws can also vary within countries. In the US for example, the rules vary widely across states. So if you’re planning to drive in the US, you should check the driving laws in each of the states you’ll be driving in.