1. Meet the Minimum Age Requirement
One of the most important requirements of renting a car is the minimum age. Many companies in the EU will not give a car for rent to someone under age 21, while in the U.S. usually, you can rent a car even younger than 21 and must have held a license for a minimum of one year. We suggest you check this before on the car company websites.
2. Possess a Valid Driving License
Obviously, the driving license and the ID are the essential documents for renting a car. If you are traveling in the EU, your passport and driver’s license are all you need. Some countries also require an International Driving Permit (IDP). For more, read below if you need it.
3. You May Need an International Driving License
Traveling with a vehicle might be easy and comforting, but your current driving license is not enough in all locations. Some do require an international one due to agreements between the countries. For example, if you are an EU citizen, you don’t need an international driving license in the EU. Still, you must provide one if you plan to rent a car in the Balkans or outside the EU. Also, if you want to go to the U.S. you may want to consider getting an international driver’s licence that will allow you to rent and drive a motor vehicle in the U.S. For more information, contact at the Head Office in your home country for the issue of licenses.
4. Provide an Acceptable Form of Payment
Make sure you know which form of payment you need to provide. In the EU, rental car agencies, accept credit cards like VISA and MasterCard, but some may need cash. While in the U.S. even if you are ready to pay in cash, your request will be declined as usually they only accept credit cards. Some get both or only one option. To be safe, you may check before the company requirements and coverage to avoid any problems in the future.
5. Secondary Driver for Car Rentals
Going on a long trip, you may consider a secondary driver for relief. You should know that this person has to bring his/her ID and driving license. Usually, it is only one person responsible for the payment and insurance. A surcharge is typically assessed for a secondary driver. For example, in the U.S. a fee for a second driver may range from €5 to €25 a day. So, in other words, the main driver serves as a “co-signer” for the secondary driver.
6. More Rental Cars Tips for Europe
For a better experience, we suggest you plan ahead as the price of car rentals depends on the season, car model, and time length. It’s important to know that each car rental company has its policy and regulations, which might change from others. Another important rule you need to remember – never be late for the drop-off! Even if you are one hour late, then you need to pay an extra day.
