Car Hire Advice
If you are thinking of hiring a car then you will no doubt have some questions. On this page we aim to answer our customers most common questions. We have also created a glossary of car hire terms to help cut through much of the industry jargon which you can often encounter on other car hire websites.
General Tips
Check you have all items of your luggage, maps you may require, and make sure that you do not feel overly tired in advance of your journey.
Whether at the airport, the rental location, or on your travels, pay careful attention to your purse/wallet and where you keep your car keys. Do not leave your baggage or valuables/keys unattended at any time. If you are travelling in a group assign someone to stay with your luggage whilst any other drivers of the vehicle familiarise themselves with the car.
Fuel
Fuel is generally not included in the booking price and you are required to return the vehicle with the same ammount of fuel in the tank as at the start of your rental, however, fuel policies vary with location and provider. You should check the terms and conditions prior to making your booking for full details.
Driving Licence
Although maybe the most obvious accessory you will need to take on your trip, it is surprising how easy it is to forget the most essential things such as your driving licence or passport.
Before you leave, always make sure you have your driving
licence with you - car hire companies do not accept photocopies,
it must be the real thing. You must take along your original
paper licence as well as the photocard if you have a modern two
part licence. Some countries (especially countries not a part of
Europe) also insist all drivers carry an
International
Driving Permit.
Road Laws
When you are driving abroad always be sure to familiarise yourself with any local rules and restrictions. These can sometimes be very different to what you are used to when driving in your home country.A useful checklist of things to look for:
- Different road signs and markings
- Speed limits (make sure you know if these markings are in kilometers per hour, or miles per hour)
- Parking zones
Safety
Before you drive the hire vehicle away, familiarise yourself
with all of its controls - lights, windscreen wipers etc. Also
check the vehicle is carrying the required safety equipment for
the country you are travelling in.
Legislation in most countries now requires all occupants of the vehicle to wear correctly fitted safety belts both in the front and back of the vehicle. Most European countries do not permit children under certain ages to ride in the front passenger seat of a moving vehicle.
Claiming Car Hire
If you are hiring a car as a result of a breakdown you might be able to claim back the costs if you have a warranty on your car. If your car does not have a warranty then you can usually purchase one as long as your car is in good working order and is less than 10 years old.
Visit the car warranty guide on Petrolprices.com to find out more about car warranties and how they can offer you peace of mind from unexpected repair costs.