Car Hire...
If you are hiring a car to take abroad, hiring one abroad on arrival or hiring one for a holiday but booking it from the UK, the same principals apply in each case.
You will need the following:
1. Each driver's full, valid Driving Licence, free from any endorsements (Photocard & Paper counterpart - the latter was abolished on 8 June 2015 but do take it with you in case you still need it due to lack of awareness). In its place is a new DVLA online system containing details of any endorsements/fines/bans against you.
1a. Check age and length of licence held requirements (Age restriction is usually between a minimum of 21-25 years old and licence held from 12-24 months,
but this requirement differs from company to company and your car selection).
2. Main driver's valid bank/credit card for the booking/deposit (with funds available).
3. Each driver's valid ID card/Passport.
4. Booking/payment voucher.
You will need the following:
1. Each driver's full, valid Driving Licence, free from any endorsements (Photocard & Paper counterpart - the latter was abolished on 8 June 2015 but do take it with you in case you still need it due to lack of awareness). In its place is a new DVLA online system containing details of any endorsements/fines/bans against you.
1a. Check age and length of licence held requirements (Age restriction is usually between a minimum of 21-25 years old and licence held from 12-24 months,
but this requirement differs from company to company and your car selection).
2. Main driver's valid bank/credit card for the booking/deposit (with funds available).
3. Each driver's valid ID card/Passport.
4. Booking/payment voucher.
Conditions to adhere to:
1. Only the named insured drivers can drive the vehicle.
2. Do not drink or take any drugs and drive.
3. Do not smoke inside your hire vehicle.
4. Look after the vehicle and its keys - return it in same condition as you received it.
5. Always lock the vehicle and switch on security devices when it is parked.
6. Use the correct fuel.
7. Check water and oil regularly and keep it topped up.
8. Do not hit any low-level objects such as sleeping policemen, etc.
9. Do not race or use the vehicle on any unsuitable off-roads.
10. You/any other party must not carry out any work on the vehicle.
11. You must notify the hire company as soon as the car is involved in an accident/damaged/broken into/stolen or has a fault.
12. If you have an accident you must not admit responsibility but get other parties details, including any witnesses. Call the Police if involved in a serious accident.
13. You must pay any parking fines/traffic offences before returning the vehicle or be liable to pay an administration fee on top of the fines received if they are dealt with by the car rental company at a later stage.
14. Do not leave any items in the vehicle on its return.
1. Only the named insured drivers can drive the vehicle.
2. Do not drink or take any drugs and drive.
3. Do not smoke inside your hire vehicle.
4. Look after the vehicle and its keys - return it in same condition as you received it.
5. Always lock the vehicle and switch on security devices when it is parked.
6. Use the correct fuel.
7. Check water and oil regularly and keep it topped up.
8. Do not hit any low-level objects such as sleeping policemen, etc.
9. Do not race or use the vehicle on any unsuitable off-roads.
10. You/any other party must not carry out any work on the vehicle.
11. You must notify the hire company as soon as the car is involved in an accident/damaged/broken into/stolen or has a fault.
12. If you have an accident you must not admit responsibility but get other parties details, including any witnesses. Call the Police if involved in a serious accident.
13. You must pay any parking fines/traffic offences before returning the vehicle or be liable to pay an administration fee on top of the fines received if they are dealt with by the car rental company at a later stage.
14. Do not leave any items in the vehicle on its return.
When booking your hire car, you should think carefully about what type of car you will need for you and your passengers to have an enjoyable trip. If you just consider the price/savings, it may not suit your needs in the long run if you have many passengers and lots of luggage - they may not all fit in. You're better off paying a little extra and opting for something larger which will accommodate and be comfortable for everyone.
There is so much choice available nowadays from small, family, people carriers, vans to prestige and even convertible cars and from so many car rental companies - you're bound to find something perfect for you. Depending on your booking, you can either arrange a pick-up point for your hire car (normally an airport) or it can be delivered to you at a destination of your choosing. You can also choose to drop-off the car once you have finished with it at different destinations. If you are travelling during the summer months to a hot European country, an air conditioned car is essential, so make sure you ask for one when you book - it will most likely be air-conditioned but it's best to double-check.
There is so much choice available nowadays from small, family, people carriers, vans to prestige and even convertible cars and from so many car rental companies - you're bound to find something perfect for you. Depending on your booking, you can either arrange a pick-up point for your hire car (normally an airport) or it can be delivered to you at a destination of your choosing. You can also choose to drop-off the car once you have finished with it at different destinations. If you are travelling during the summer months to a hot European country, an air conditioned car is essential, so make sure you ask for one when you book - it will most likely be air-conditioned but it's best to double-check.
You will also need to double-check your cover in detail, including any excess charges - these can cost up to £1500. You may be covered for damages/accidents even if it is your fault but you will most likely be liable to pay high excess charges to cover this. You don't want to have a huge bill during or at the end of your holiday if anything unfortunate were to happen so find out what you are protected against and what the final costs would be in worst case scenario. The majority of hire bookings include Collision Damage Waiver insurance, Theft Protection and local taxes. Look out for all the extra charges such as GPS, child seats, etc. (you will definitely save some money if you take these items with you).
With regards to fuel, you will receive your hire car with a full tank. You will be given the option to return it either with a full tank or empty. If you decide to return it empty, you will be charged a full tank upfront at the Rental company's rates. It can also be a bit difficult to return the car with a completely empty tank, so you would most likely pay for petrol you won't get to use. However, if you decide to return it with a full tank you won't have to pay any extra charges. This option will not only save you money on your overall hire cost but will also save you money if you find cheaper fuel to fill the tank.
With regards to fuel, you will receive your hire car with a full tank. You will be given the option to return it either with a full tank or empty. If you decide to return it empty, you will be charged a full tank upfront at the Rental company's rates. It can also be a bit difficult to return the car with a completely empty tank, so you would most likely pay for petrol you won't get to use. However, if you decide to return it with a full tank you won't have to pay any extra charges. This option will not only save you money on your overall hire cost but will also save you money if you find cheaper fuel to fill the tank.
Europcar - Highly recommended...
We have been very fortunate to have driven our car on the Continent many times. One year, however, we needed to transport a few big items abroad and were looking to pay heavy transport fees. My friend recommended us hiring a van and taking the items over ourselves instead. This was in fact the best solution and we've never looked back since. It was one of our favourite roadtrips ever. Following that trip, our car was unfortunately not roadworthy enough to make long trips for many years, so as an alternative we hired cars to take abroad instead.
We booked our hire cars through Europcar, who have been absolutely fantastic each time we've hired. We have now hired one van and six cars and have never had a problem. The service has been outstanding each and every time and we highly recommend them. We call several times to get the best quote, as they have many offices around the world who take the bookings, and we choose to pick up the vehicles at one of their stations ourselves rather than arranging a drop-off delivery.
In recent years, however, we believe Europcar obviously noticed that we were clocking up the miles with our very, very, very long road trips around 5,000- 6,500 miles per trip and have increased their prices. They also began to charge 12 pence per mile after exceeding their cap of approx 2,500 miles. It became very expensive for the long trips we were taking so we had no alternative but to repair our car and start taking it abroad again. But we would still use Europcar again if we're ever in need of another car hire.
We booked our hire cars through Europcar, who have been absolutely fantastic each time we've hired. We have now hired one van and six cars and have never had a problem. The service has been outstanding each and every time and we highly recommend them. We call several times to get the best quote, as they have many offices around the world who take the bookings, and we choose to pick up the vehicles at one of their stations ourselves rather than arranging a drop-off delivery.
In recent years, however, we believe Europcar obviously noticed that we were clocking up the miles with our very, very, very long road trips around 5,000- 6,500 miles per trip and have increased their prices. They also began to charge 12 pence per mile after exceeding their cap of approx 2,500 miles. It became very expensive for the long trips we were taking so we had no alternative but to repair our car and start taking it abroad again. But we would still use Europcar again if we're ever in need of another car hire.
When hiring vehicles to take abroad these are the most important points to consider:
1. Make sure it includes unlimited mileage (the miles tend to clock up without you realising). This may have changed in recent years so find out the amount of kms/miles capped and the tariff for the extra kms/miles which may be incurred.
2. Make sure it's completely fully insured - you do not want to be liable for any extra costs. If you can, we highly recommend taking out Zero Excess as this should protect you completely if your vehicle is accidently damaged or stolen and if you have any damages to tyres/windscreens. If you find the latter too pricey, opt for the £250 excess instead.
3. If there is more than one driver, make sure the second driver is added and paid for.
4. The vehicle is covered whilst being driven in Europe - check countries covered.
5. It includes a European breakdown cover.
Always make sure you are completely covered every which way - it's worth paying the extra upfront costs instead of taking the risk and having to pay charges later. If anything were to happen, breakdown or accident - you will be assisted without the worry of having to organise alternative transport and having to pay any additional costs.
1. Make sure it includes unlimited mileage (the miles tend to clock up without you realising). This may have changed in recent years so find out the amount of kms/miles capped and the tariff for the extra kms/miles which may be incurred.
2. Make sure it's completely fully insured - you do not want to be liable for any extra costs. If you can, we highly recommend taking out Zero Excess as this should protect you completely if your vehicle is accidently damaged or stolen and if you have any damages to tyres/windscreens. If you find the latter too pricey, opt for the £250 excess instead.
3. If there is more than one driver, make sure the second driver is added and paid for.
4. The vehicle is covered whilst being driven in Europe - check countries covered.
5. It includes a European breakdown cover.
Always make sure you are completely covered every which way - it's worth paying the extra upfront costs instead of taking the risk and having to pay charges later. If anything were to happen, breakdown or accident - you will be assisted without the worry of having to organise alternative transport and having to pay any additional costs.
Hiring a car abroad...
If you don't fancy the stress of a long car journey to your European destination there is always the option to fly-drive - car hire on arrival. This will give you the freedom to check out the wonderful sights in the country you are visiting at your leisure. You can either book it from the UK or on arrival but we believe you can probably get better deals from booking it from the UK rather than at the airport. You can also check through your policies and extras in more detail back in the UK as the language may be a barrier when booking in the country you are visiting. Extras may be added which you were not even aware of, so be careful when booking abroad - check through your cover carefully.
When you are collecting your hire car abroad you will now need to give them a code from the DVLA which the rental office needs to use online to check your details. If they are unaware of this new change just show them your Paper counterpart as previous - don't forget to take it with you just in case.
To obtain your code from the DVLA go online or call 0300 083 0013 before you travel or whilst you are away, but do note it's only valid for 72 hours.
When you are collecting your hire car abroad you will now need to give them a code from the DVLA which the rental office needs to use online to check your details. If they are unaware of this new change just show them your Paper counterpart as previous - don't forget to take it with you just in case.
To obtain your code from the DVLA go online or call 0300 083 0013 before you travel or whilst you are away, but do note it's only valid for 72 hours.
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Photography: beepbeepeurope
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