Renting a Car for a Road Trip in Europe (and anywhere else) - A Virtual Checkoff List

My Rented Beauty in France - Mercedes A 180 

When travelling abroad, particularly in Europe, Self Drive trips are a pleasure. Such trips give convenience, freedom and opportunity to explore without thinking about transport options. Renting a car abroad is easy and convenient. There are many car renting companies in Europe. There are many companies providing Cars on Rent. The major and well-known companies are Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europa Cars, etc.

Cars can be rented online prior to arrival in your destination or they can be rented on the spot after arrival. Car Rentals Companies have their outlets at all major airports and railway stations, Renting processes are simple. Our national driving license is valid for driving for six months from arrival date in most of the countries. It is also possible to take an International Driving Permit (IDP) from local RTO. The application is online and the collection is done from the RTO.

The car rental company gives a car after blocking their rent and a security deposit on the credit card of the hirer. The balance amount after rent and other deductions (if any) are generally reversed in 15 days from the day of the return of the Car.  The cars are generally good. However, the things mentioned below are important before the car is accepted.

Firstly, make sure that you have taken full protection with Zero damage liability. It is a must as switching from driving from Left side of the road to right side of the road is easy but sometimes confusion in the mind may result in some kind of accident where the loss to the car may be very large and repair costs very high. Full protection zero liability option is essential. Take other necessary insurances like roadside assistance, windscreen and type protection are a must but most zero accident liability ae inclusive of these two insurances. If two people are going to drive, pay money for the second driver and give his documents also. Don't take any option of returning the car with whatever fule remains. it is a costly option. Instead, take "The car will be returned with a full tank" option.

Inspect the car jointly with the company representative for any scratches, damages, etc to the car (with zero liability accident damage scheme, the inspection may not be necessary but its a good habit). check the fule in the fuel indicator. Fuel has to be a full tank. Ask him about various facilities in the car and how they are operated (wipers, lights, a navigation system, cruise control, fuel type and any other information you may want). Collect necessary renting documents which may be needed during inspection, if any, by local police.

If the car has been taken of rent for a longer period and if it is planned to take the car to another country (and returned in that country or the same country/city from where it  was rented), do not forget to informing the renting country, ascertain the charges of doing so and paying them. Most cars are GPS enabled and the renting company would know where the car is. The penalty for taking the car to another country without informing the renting company is very high.

With all the above, one is all set to enjoy a great road trip. Make sure to pay necessary tolls and parking, else the renting company will deduct all such charges from your deposits.

There are just two very vital and unmissable things left at the end of a memorable road trip. Firstly, make sure that you return the car well in time in the rental period, for example, if the car was rented on 28 July at 12 pm for 3 days, make sure that the car is returned before 12 pm on 31 July. Any delay in returning, even by a minute would make you liable of paying one extra day's rent as it would be counted as 4th day.

Second most important and a must-do action is get the car tank filled up with fuel prior to returning (one or two litres less is ok). If that is not done, the car company would, by looking at the gauge, determine the amount of fuel that they consider is less in the tank and would charge you almost the double of the market rate of fuel.

With all these precautions taken care of, just go ahead, rent a car, do a road trip and make your travel a memorable journey.

Happy and Safe driving to you.