Everything You Need to Know about Hiring a Car Abroad

If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing or if you need to do a lot of travelling while on a trip, then it may be more convenient to rent a car instead of taking public transport. If you have never rented a car while abroad, you may feel overwhelmed by all the options. To help you navigate car rentals in another country, here is everything you need to know about hiring a car abroad.

How Old Do I Need to Be to Hire a Car Abroad?

This will depend on the country you’re visiting. In the UK, you must be between the ages of 23 and 69 to hire a car. However, in countries like Spain and the USA, some hire car companies will allow people over the age of 21 to rent a car. In other countries, like Germany and Italy, some hire car companies will rent vehicles to people as young as 18. If you want to hire a car during your trip, it’s best to check with the hire car companies in the country you’re planning on travelling to.

What Documents Will I Need to Rent a Car Abroad?

To rent a car abroad, you will need a valid UK driving license and your passport. In some countries, you may be required to have an international driving permit (IDP). You can check whether you need an IDP and which one you need on the GOV.UK site. You can purchase an IDP from your local Post Office.

Should I Book My Hire Car in Advance?

You can book your rental car online in advance or you can rent a car at the airport when you get to your destination. You’re more likely to save money and have a larger selection of cars to choose from if you book online, and you will have more time to research rental car companies and the best deals if you do it a few months before you travel.

If you rent a car at the airport, you will probably need to wait in a long queue at a kiosk, and you will have a limited number of cars to choose from and limited time to look into the best options for you. The cars will probably be more expensive and you may face additional charges for hiring a car at the last minute. Ideally, you should book your hire car as soon as you have booked your trip.

Will I Need to Pay for Petrol?

In all hire car contracts there is a fuel policy. There are five different fuel policies for you to choose from. With a full to full fuel tank policy, your hire car will have a full tank of fuel when you pick it up and you simply replace the fuel you used before you drop it off. This is the policy most people go for, as you only pay for what you need.

With a pre-purchase fuel policy, your hire car will have a full tank of fuel when you pick it up, which you will pre-pay for, and you won’t be expected to fill the tank upon return. You won’t receive a refund for any fuel you don’t use with this type of policy.

With a pre-purchase fuel policy (with a full refund), your hire car will have a full tank of fuel when you collect it. You will be charged for this in advance and you will be fully refunded for any fuel you don’t use.

The pre-purchase fuel policy with a partial refund works the same way as a pre-purchase fuel policy with a full refund. You will prepay for a full tank of fuel and be refunded for what you don’t use; however, you will have to pay a non-refundable service charge.

With a free tank fuel policy, your rental car will have a full tank of fuel that is free of charge and you won’t need to refill the fuel tank before you return the car.

If you choose a fuel policy that requires you to refill the fuel tank before you return your hire car, make sure you ask where the nearest patrol station is when you pick it up to save you from having to search for one later on.

Can I Drive a Hire Car to Another Country?

Some rental car companies will allow you to drive your rental car across international borders, but you will have to check the terms and conditions in your rental agreement first. Some rental car companies have milage limits, and if you want to travel farther, you may need to pay an additional fee. Check with your rental company if you want to drive one of their cars to another country, even if it’s only for a day trip. You may be subject to a “cross border” fee.

Should I Inspect the Rental Car before Driving It?

Even if an employee at a hire car company tells you that they’ve already inspected your rental car, make sure you do your own inspection. You should always do a check of the vehicle before you drive it. Make sure it has a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a spare tire, a jack, and a lug wrench. Make sure the fuel tank is full and that all the lights are working. Look under the bonnet to make sure everything is in working condition and check the tyres and the rims. Make sure the inside of the vehicle is clean.

Always take pictures of your rental vehicle when you pick it up and drop it off so that you have evidence of the condition it was in before and after you returned it. Look for any damage, including chips, scratches, and dents. Be sure to inspect both on the inside and outside of the car for wear and tear. Document everything, even if the damage is miniscule. Don’t forget to remove all of your belongings and rubbish from the car before handing back the keys.

Are There Any Additional Charges I Should Look Out For?

When you rent a car abroad, you should look out for additional charges. Many rental car companies will try to upsell you on GPS devices, child car seats, snow chains, winter tyres, and a vehicle with a roof rack.

Many rental companies have a surcharge for senior drivers and for drivers under the age of 25. If you’re traveling with a group and planning on having more than more than one person driving the car, you may be charged a fee for an extra driver.

Car hire companies can charge a “one-way fee” if you want to drop off your rental car in a different place from where you picked it up. You may even pay more if you want to pick up your hire car from a busy location, such as an airport, train station, or bus terminal.

You may also have to pay an additional fee if you collect the car late or if you drop your hire car off late. Some rental car companies will charge you for an extra day if you’re late bringing it back. If the vehicle isn’t left in the same condition as it was when it was handed over to you, you maybe charged for cleaning or for damages.

Will My Hire Car Be Covered by My Travel Insurance?

Your car hire company will provide you will a certain level of cover if your rental car breaks down or if it is stolen or damaged. Some rental car policies will include third party liability cover. The level of cover will vary between rental car companies, and you may have to pay an additional premium for more cover. You can reach out to your hire car company about what cover they provide before you hire a car and you will find all of this information in your rental agreement.

If you purchase Oasis Travel Insurance for your trip, your non-refundable pre-booked car hire fees will be covered in the event that you need to cancel your trip or cut it short or if there are travel delays or if you need to abandon your trip. If you purchase our coronavirus travel insurance add-on, your non-refundable pre-booked car hire fees will be covered if you need to cancel or curtail your trip due to COVID-19.

What Happens If I’m in an Accident or If My Rental Car Breaks Down?

Breakdown cover is often included in the standard insurance provided by your car rental company, although some car hire companies may ask you to pay an added fee for this. If it’s not included in your cover or if you opted not to pay for it, you may be required to pay to have the car towed and for the repair of the car.

If you get into an accident in your hire car, find a safe place to pull over. Call the police to report the accident, and if there is another person involved in the accident, exchange contact information with them. Write down some information about the other car involved, including the licence plate, colour, make, and model, and take photographs of the condition of your hire car and their car—your rental car company may ask for this information later on. Call the hire car company and ask them how to proceed. Whether you’re charged for the damage with depend on who was at fault.

Road Safety Knowledge

If you’re going to hire a car abroad, you should know the basic rules of the road, such as speed limits and what side of the road you should drive on. Look up the local road laws of the country you’re travelling to so you can drive safely while you’re there. This will also minimise your chances of getting into an accident or damaging your rental vehicle.