After careful consideration, you’ve decided that renting a car is the right solution for your holiday, your business trip or your carefree weekend getaway.
The ease of booking and paying for a service in advance often hides details that may cause problems or misunderstandings. We have put together some useful tips to help you avoid surprises and issues with your car rental.
1. Where to book your car
Today, just one click is enough to book and purchase your car rental online in just a few steps. Search engine results often show broker websites first, usually based abroad, with call centres that are difficult to reach and premium-rate numbers. Choose online a car rental company that has its office directly on-site: they will respond to your questions directly, including matters such as free cancellation without penalties.
2. Make sure you have the correct documents
Renting a vehicle is very simple, but it is essential to have all the necessary documentation when picking up the booked car:
- Identity document: ID card or passport
- Driving licence: check its validity and the specific rules — different for each company — regarding the minimum and maximum age required to rent a car
- International driving permit: if you are arriving from a non-European country, contact the rental company to check whether they accept your domestic licence or if an international permit is required to drive their vehicles
- Tax code: required at national level
3. Check where the rental company is located
Make sure you know the exact location of the chosen company. The most reliable car rental companies have their offices inside airports, train stations, or in strategic areas to speed up pick-up and drop-off procedures. Some operate from peripheral locations using shuttle services, which often cause unnecessary delays and inconvenience.
4. Consider pick-up and drop-off times
Choosing a well-known brand does not always guarantee a better service. Big names often have long queues for vehicle collection and, if you are travelling for work, have appointments or are travelling with children, waiting for hours may not be ideal. Local independent car rentals offer quality, convenience and excellent professional services comparable to major brands, and having a local contact is always an advantage.
5. Check which payment methods are accepted
If you don’t have a credit card, renting a car can often be complicated — but not impossible. Some companies allow car rental without a credit card. In such cases, you can simply ask to pay for the car rental in cash, or request to rent a car with a debit card, or even opt for car rental payment via bank card.
The same applies to the security deposit for car rental: if you do not have a credit card, some companies allow payment with prepaid cards, debit cards or cash.
6. Ask the staff to explain the rental rules
It is always good practice — especially if it is your first time using a car rental service — to ask the employee at the rental desk all questions regarding your responsibilities and obligations as a renter, what to do in case of an emergency, which charges are excluded, and which precautions you should take during the rental period.
7. Evaluate whether to purchase additional services
In most cases, rental companies offer optional extra services that the customer can choose to add.
If you are travelling with your family, you will need a child car seat rental equipped with an anti-abandon device for children under 4 years old. You can also add extra drivers, request GPS devices, include roadside assistance, limit or remove your liability in case of damage or accident, or request home delivery of the car.
8. Check the vehicle with a staff member before pick-up
The vehicle is delivered by a company operator in the reserved parking area. It is important to check that the condition of the vehicle matches the document provided by the rental company, verify the fuel level, note any pre-existing damage and immediately report any issues so they can be recorded on your car rental agreement.
