See all Motoring Advice Summer holidays might mean slightly drier weather here, but for many they also signal the time to hop on a jet and head somewhere properly sunny. Whether you’re going to the sort of place with golden beaches, azure seas and maybe even a palm tree or two, or you prefer something with a bit more adventure, the airport is seldom the end of the journey. You might just need to get from the airport to your destination, or you might want to explore, but either way, you’ll probably need to hire a car. And whatever the adverts may claim, that isn’t always a straightforward process, so we’ve put together a guide to help you through it.
Plan ahead
The car hire market is rapidly growing, so choosing where to rent a vehicle is getting harder and harder. Picking the right company requires a little leg work, and while it’s easy to be drawn in by rental comparison sites, they often won’t show you the full story. Rental companies love throwing in the odd hidden extra, and that’s rarely reflected in the price, so the best bet is to do your homework properly.
As a rule, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Check rental companies’ ratings online (although most well-known providers have terrible reviews anyway) and check where they are. The last thing you want is to fall off a late-night flight, accompanied by screeching children, and find the company is based 10km from the airport.
It’s also well worth checking the Ts & Cs, looking at details such as whether mileage is limited, how much you’ll pay for an extra driver, and any age restrictions. Typically, drivers under 25 and over 70 may find themselves faced with a premium.
Look up the rules of the road in the country in which you’re driving, too. Signage is often quite different and countries such as France have some antiquated laws that can catch out the unwary. It’s also worth checking what paperwork you’re going to need, and make sure you take it with you.
Take some accessories
Not every car comes with navigation or wireless phone charging – especially when they’re base-spec car hire hacks – so it might well be worth taking a 12-volt cigarette lighter phone charger, a suitable charging cable and a phone holder with you. They could well save a few headaches when you hit the road.
Say no to the extras
At the desk, the hire company will almost always try to sell you some extras. Perhaps the most notorious is the excess waiver, where they threaten you with an enormous excess should you damage the car, then offer to reduce or remove it if you pay an extra fee per day. It sounds tempting, because nobody wants to be faced with a bill of well over €1,000 for something that wasn’t their fault. But it’s a con. You’ll be much better off getting excess reimbursement insurance (ERI) that’s far cheaper, but it will need to be booked before you travel.
Similarly, companies may offer a refuelling service that means you won’t need to return the car full of fuel. They’ll tell you it doesn’t cost any more, but whoever heard of companies offering a service for nothing? Someone is making a profit somewhere and it certainly isn’t you. Much better to find a filling station near the airport and fill the car yourself before you hand it back. But make sure you plan that into your journey to avoid missing your flight.
Gather evidence
Make sure you inspect your car thoroughly when you collect it. You’ll probably get a damage report at the desk showing where the vehicle has received some battle scars, but they aren’t always accurate. Be sure to get pictures of any scrapes or scratches (hire cars often have them) before you drive away and tell the company of anything you weren’t initially told about. That way you can’t be blamed when you return the vehicle. Because yes, they may well charge you.
Drive carefully
In all likelihood, you’ll be driving the car on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, on unfamiliar routes and in a country whose laws you don’t fully understand, even if you have done some homework. So, take care, concentrate on driving and try to minimise stupid mistakes. It’s much easier to avoid trouble with the rental company or the law if you don’t do anything daft.
Give the car back on time
At the end of the trip, the car hire company will expect the car to be returned punctually, so make sure you give it back on time. Some companies will charge you for as little as half an hour after the quoted time, so if you’re unsure, either give yourself some leeway when you book the car, or make sure you set off for the rental desk in good time.
Once you’re back at the hire company’s premises, take more pictures to avoid being accused of damage you didn’t cause, and clean the car out. Don’t wash it unless it’s filthy, but make sure you don’t leave any litter or personal belongings in there.
Once you’re home, check your bank account to make sure any deposits have been returned in full, and look at any paperwork to ensure you haven’t been hit with any unexpected or unscrupulous charges.