“Throw the keys by the kiosk’s open window. We’ll get the automobile once we open later”: These barely unorthodox drop-off directions I as soon as obtained from a Hertz supervisor in Croatia illustrate a number of the variations U.S. vacationers would possibly encounter when renting a automobile overseas.
It pays to familiarize your self with the native insurance policies and protocols forward of time. Right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know earlier than you settle for the keys.
You might want a world driver’s license
When you’ve got a U.S. driver’s license, a world driving allow is formally required (alongside together with your state-issued license) in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand, though its use just isn’t universally enforced. It’s additionally a good suggestion to hold an I.D.P., a booklet — barely larger than a passport — that interprets a U.S. license into 10 languages, when renting a automobile in a rustic whose language just isn’t written in Roman letters.
An I.D.P. prices $20, is legitimate for one yr and is issued to any applicant by an area AAA workplace (the one issuer in the USA licensed by the State Division). You could apply for one within the nation that issued your common driver’s license.
Acquainted manufacturers could also be franchisees
Automobile rental manufacturers acquainted to Individuals function all through the world; these embrace Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Nationwide, Sixt and others. You’ll be able to reserve a automobile by an organization’s U.S. web site or by a rental aggregator resembling Autoeurope.com, to check charges.
The abroad branches of U.S. firms could not at all times be owned by the guardian firm. The dialogue boards on web sites like Tripadvisor abound with commenters calling out franchise operations of main chains for not offering the service they count on from a U.S. operation.
Franchise or not, disputes with a international department ought to at all times be directed to the U.S. customer support operation, in accordance with Hertz and Autoeurope.
Verify minimal (and most) age necessities
The minimal age to hire a automobile varies by nation and firm, and it’s indicated on every rental company’s web site. Most nations cost a “younger driver” surcharge for renters beneath 25. Some nations, resembling France and Germany, enable (however don’t require) firms to hire to 18-year-olds, however 21 is the everyday minimal rental age for many.
On the different finish of the spectrum, Hertz gained’t hire a automobile in Northern Eire to anybody older than 79; these from 75 to 79 should have a health care provider’s letter stating that they’re in good well being, in addition to a letter from their insurance coverage firm proving that they haven’t had an accident inside the previous 5 years.
Lower prices with a stick shift
Automobiles with guide transmissions are nonetheless well-liked in lots of European nations, so for those who’re comfy driving one, choose that possibility. Renting a automobile with an computerized transmission can sometimes price a further 30 % or extra.
Verify your bank card’s rental insurance coverage protection
Many U.S.-issued bank cards cowl harm to your worldwide rental automobile for those who’re in an accident, so long as you cost the complete rental payment to the cardboard. Some issuers additionally require that the identical card be used to make the reservation for the insurance coverage to be legitimate. That collision protection is major, in contrast to in the USA, the place your private automobile insurance coverage would cowl the prices whereas your rental insurance coverage would pay for any deductible quantity. Even when your bank card covers harm to your rental automobile, you’ll be accountable for the price of harm to every other automobile if the accident is deemed to be your fault.
Be warned that commonplace rental insurance coverage for American Categorical cardholders just isn’t out there in Australia, Italy and New Zealand, and different playing cards could have completely different restrictions.
Familiarize your self with native driving and parking legal guidelines
Earlier than you go, be taught every nation’s guidelines, together with the which means of assorted street indicators and markings. For example, merely since you see different automobiles parked with their wheels on the sidewalk — frequent in European cities with slender streets — that doesn’t imply that it’s authorized to take action.
Autoeurope.com has driving ideas for dozens of nations, not all in Europe, and Britain’s Car Affiliation lists street guidelines for six European nations. Don’t overlook that many locations apart from Britain drive on the left (together with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and quite a few Caribbean islands). And for those who get a ticket, don’t ignore it. The rental company will ultimately accumulate from you, together with an administrative payment.
Seatbelt legal guidelines are sometimes strictly enforced, with a separate fantastic — generally issued on the spot — for every occupant not sporting one.
Lastly, many European cities prohibit driving in central or historic areas to residents solely or these driving low-emission automobiles. Coming into these limited-traffic zone areas can incur heavy fines, plus an added payment out of your rental firm. Look ahead to indicators and gates (generally marked “ZTL” in Italy).
Know your fuels
Diesel engines are quite common in different nations; placing diesel in a fuel engine or vice versa could cause critical — and expensive — harm.
Whereas gasoline pumps are color-coded to point what they dispense, these colours range by nation and area. Gas necessities are listed on a sticker on the within of the filler door.
In the USA, black signifies gasoline whereas inexperienced designates diesel. In Iceland and different European nations, it’s the alternative: inexperienced for gasoline and black for diesel.