Features of car rental abroad

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• Features of car rental abroad

A car is the most convenient means of transportation abroad if you are traveling on your own. Yes, many countries have high-speed trains or a well-developed bus network. But isn’t it better to be on your own and not depend on anyone? If you want, you can go anywhere at any time. Moreover, in almost every country in the world you can rent a car right at the train station or airport, and local rental offices are located in the center of large cities. The main thing is to choose a well-known and reliable company in order to minimize risks and eliminate fears and worries associated with renting.

How to choose a rental car?

Large car rental companies have websites where their entire fleet is presented. We recommend booking a car in advance - this is a guarantee that upon arrival, the car you have chosen will be standing and waiting for its owner. Plus, on the site you can view all available cars for the required dates, see hidden payments and rental features. For example, most often the main rental condition is a full tank upon return. If you were unable to book a car in advance, no problem. Choose from what is available.

Car rental is not expensive!

The rental price depends, first of all, on the class of the selected car. The cheapest are European compact cars with 2 seats. The more days of rental, the lower the cost per day. You should also take into account local peculiarities. Greece, Portugal, and Great Britain, for example, raise prices during high tourist seasons. If you do not take this into account, then the average cost around the world will be from $20 to $500 per day. Additionally, you pay for gasoline, entry to toll roads, insurance, use of GPS systems (but as practice has shown, your applications on smartphones and gadgets are enough). It is worth noting that there are restrictions on kilometers. This is all also stipulated in the rental agreement. And another important point. You will be asked to leave a certain amount as a deposit, which is set depending on the make and class of the car. Most often, this is done by blocking funds on a credit card. Upon return, it is withdrawn, but it may take up to 20 days for the money to be unblocked at your bank in Ukraine.

Who can rent a car

In fact, almost anyone can do this! Especially if there are no age restrictions. But in Italy, they charge 17 euros for the driver's age. That is, if you are not yet 25, then you will have to pay extra for each day of rental. Experience is not taken into account here. But it is important in Greece and Cyprus. In Bulgaria and Portugal, there are no additional charges, but you can only rent a car from 22 and 21 years old, respectively.

Now let's talk serious

To rent a car, you will need:

1. International passport
2. Driver's license

There is a clarification regarding the second point.Nowadays, they issue international licenses with a limited validity period. But many people use paper laminated documents issued in the 1990s. We do not recommend renting a car with such a license, but why not drive your own car across the EU? Many tourists have verified this! By the way, changing such a license to a new one is not a mandatory requirement. Before renting, you need to carefully study the traffic rules of the country, their signs. There is often a significant difference. And that is why our drivers get confused and can get into an accident. Forewarned is forearmed. Do not forget about the most significant difference - left-hand traffic. You can get into trouble in Japan, Great Britain, its former colonies, where such traditions are still preserved.

Car rental agreement: what to consider

The agreement is your main document, thanks to which you are protected from hidden payments and unfavorable conditions. Read it carefully from beginning to end and do not sign it if something confuses you or does not suit you. If a copy of the contract is written in a language you do not understand, ask for a document in English. Then translate it yourself. If there is any damage to the car body, this should also be written down. Even a small scratch cannot be pinned on you. Remember, we wrote above about paying for a full tank of gas upon return? Failure to comply with this point may result in a fine. But we will tell you a secret: in European capitals and large car rental companies, they may not even check the car upon return! Often, you just leave it in the parking lot, hand the keys personally to the rental employee or (attention!) put them in a special urn right next to the car. After all, the civilized West! Remember that the rental car is not your property. Be extremely careful, study the traffic rules of the country of travel and read the contract carefully. Then renting a car abroad will only be a pleasure for you!Read it carefully from beginning to end and do not sign it if something confuses you or does not suit you. If a copy of the contract is written in a language you do not understand, ask for a document in English. Then translate it yourself. If there is any damage to the car body, this should also be written down. Even a small scratch cannot be pinned on you. Remember, we wrote above about paying for a full tank of gas upon return? Failure to comply with this point may result in a fine. But we will tell you a secret: in European capitals and large car rental companies, they may not even check the car upon return! Often, you just leave it in the parking lot, hand the keys personally to the rental employee or (attention!) put them in a special urn right next to the car. After all, the civilized West! Remember that the rental car is not your property. Be extremely careful, study the traffic rules of the country of travel and read the contract carefully. Then renting a car abroad will only be a pleasure for you!Read it carefully from beginning to end and do not sign it if something confuses you or does not suit you. If a copy of the contract is written in a language you do not understand, ask for a document in English. Then translate it yourself. If there is any damage to the car body, this should also be written down. Even a small scratch cannot be pinned on you. Remember, we wrote above about paying for a full tank of gas upon return? Failure to comply with this point may result in a fine. But we will tell you a secret: in European capitals and large car rental companies, they may not even check the car upon return! Often, you just leave it in the parking lot, hand the keys personally to the rental employee or (attention!) put them in a special urn right next to the car. After all, the civilized West! Remember that the rental car is not your property. Be extremely careful, study the traffic rules of the country of travel and read the contract carefully. Then renting a car abroad will only be a pleasure for you!