“Throw the keys through the open booth window. We’ll pick up the car when we open later”: These slightly unorthodox delivery instructions I once received from a Hertz manager in Croatia illustrate some of the differences US travelers may encounter when renting a car abroad.
It’s worth familiarizing yourself with local policies and protocols in advance. Here’s what you need to know before you accept the keys.
You may need an international driver’s license
If you have a US driver’s license, an international driver’s license (along with your state license) is officially required in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand, although its use is not universally enforced. It’s also a good idea to carry an IDP, a booklet — slightly larger than a passport — that translates a US license into 10 languages when you rent a vehicle in a country whose language is not written in Roman letters.
An IDP costs $20, is valid for one year, and is issued to any applicant by a local AAA office (the only issuer in the United States authorized by the State Department). You must apply for one in the country that issued your normal driver’s license.
Well-known brands may be licensed
The car rental brands familiar to Americans operate all over the world. These include Alamo, Avis, Hertz, National, Sixt and others. You can book a vehicle through a company’s US website or through a rental aggregator like Autoeurope.com to compare prices.
Foreign branches of US companies may not always be owned by the parent company. Discussion boards on sites like Tripadvisor abound with commenters calling out the franchise operations of large chains for not providing the service they expect from a US business.
Franchise or not, disputes with a foreign branch should always be directed to US customer service, according to Hertz and Autoeurope.
Check the minimum (and maximum) age requirements
The minimum age to rent a car varies by country and company and is listed on each rental agency’s website. Most countries charge an additional ‘new driver’ fee for renters under the age of 25. Some countries, such as France and Germany, allow (but do not require) companies to rent to 18-year-olds, but 21 is the standard minimum rental age for most.
At the other end of the spectrum, Hertz will not rent a vehicle in Northern Ireland to anyone over the age of 79. Those aged 75 to 79 must have a doctor’s letter stating they are in good health, as well as a letter from their insurance company proving they have not been in an accident in the past five years.
Cut costs with stick shift
Manual transmission cars are still popular in many European countries, so if you enjoy driving one, go for this option. Renting a car with an automatic transmission can typically cost an extra 30 percent or more.
Check your credit card’s rental insurance coverage
Many US-issued credit cards cover damage to your international rental car if you’re in an accident, as long as you charge the full rental fee to the card. Some issuers also require that the same card be used to make the booking for the insurance to be valid. This collision coverage is primary, unlike in the United States where your personal vehicle insurance would cover the cost while the rental insurance would pay for any deductible amount. Even if your credit card covers damage to your rental vehicle, you will be responsible for the cost of damage to any other vehicle if the accident is deemed to be your fault.
Be warned that standard rental insurance for American Express cardholders is not available in Australia, Italy and New Zealand, and that other cards may have different restrictions.
Familiarize yourself with local driving and parking laws
Before you go, learn the rules of each country, including the meaning of various road signs and markings. For example, just because you see other vehicles parked with their wheels on the pavement – common in European cities with narrow streets – that doesn’t mean it’s legal to do so.
Autoeurope.com has driving advice for dozens of countries, not all in Europe, and the British Automobile Association lists road rules for six European countries. Don’t forget that many places besides Britain drive on the left (including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many Caribbean islands). And if you get a ticket, don’t ignore it. The rental agency will eventually collect from you, along with an administration fee.
Seat belt laws are often strictly enforced, with a separate fine — sometimes on the spot — for each passenger not wearing a seat belt.
Finally, many European cities restrict driving in central or historic areas only to residents or those driving low-emission vehicles. Entering these restricted areas can result in heavy fines, plus an additional charge from the rental company. Watch for signs and gates (in Italy they are usually marked “ZTL”).
Know your fuel
Diesel engines are very common in other countries. Putting a diesel in a gas engine or vice versa can cause serious — and expensive — damage.
While fuel pumps are color coded to indicate what they dispense, these colors vary by country and region. Fuel requirements are listed on a sticker inside the filler door.
In the United States, black indicates gasoline while green indicates diesel. In Iceland and other European countries, it’s the opposite: green for petrol and black for diesel.
