Renting a car internationally – What you need to know

If the destination you are traveling to does not have a good public transportation system you may consider renting a car for part or all of your vacation. Here are some things to consider when renting a car.

International Driver’s License

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So this depends on where you are going. While some countries allow travelers to use their US driver’s license, other countries require travelers to have an international driver’s license or International Driving Permit (IDP). Click here to learn more about the IDP and where to get one from.   

Rules and Regulations This goes without saying, but the rules for driving in a foreign country can be different then the driving rules at home. Be familiar with the rules including speed limit, what side of the road to drive on, and other rules and regulations.

Reserve Ahead of Time Do not wait until you are in destination to get a car rental. Reserve it ahead of time. And before you ask, yes, Markwood Magic can get a rental car for you as part of your travel package.

Before You Sign The Agreement Always confirm what insurance covers you. This could be your credit card, 3rd party travel insurance, your own. When you read the contact be sure to read any and all fine print. This can include what the fuel policy is (return with a full tank or something else), mileage limits (how far you can drive), location limits (can it be driven out of the country), extra driver fees (is only one person authorized to drive or is there a fee to have others added). Anybody who might drive the rental car should be on the agreement.

Check The Outside of the Rental Car Before opening the door, walk the perimeter of the rental car while filming (video preferred) on your cell phone. This gives you a visual record of what the outside condition of the car.  The there are any scratches, marks, dents, etc take note of this. Take pictures of any damage. Make sure the tires look good, lights work property, no cracks in the windshield, etc.

Check the Inside of the Rental Car Once inside the car, are there any odors (i.e. the smell of smoke). Make sure it is clean, the usual manual there as well as any emergency equipment like a spare tire. When the car is turned on, take a picture of the dashboard that shows current mileage, fuel gauge, and more. Make sure the blinkers, lights, air-conditioning(or heater depending on the time of year) and everything is in working order before the car is driven off the light.

If you ordered a navigation device, toll pass, car seat, etc make sure those are there and meet your satisfaction level. 

Next Steps

If anything isn’t correct – report in writing to the car rental company. Make sure the rental company provided their contact number in case roadside assistance is needed.

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