- Take photos or a video of the car before you drive off, always.
- Check the deposit amount and whether it is held on a credit card.
- Read the insurance terms, especially the excess.
- Return the car with the same fuel level as at pickup.
- List every additional driver in the contract.
The first time I rented a car abroad, I signed the contract without reading it because the queue behind me was getting impatient and I just wanted to drive off the lot. Three days later it turned out a scratch on the bumper I had not noticed at pickup cost me the equivalent of two rental days.
Since then I have my own list of things to check before getting behind the wheel. It takes literally a few minutes but saves a lot of nerves. We usually travel as a group, so we worked this out together, everyone has their own version of the same lesson.
With your own car and a map, you reach places no bus ever stops at
Photos before you drive off, always
Before you drive off the lot, walk around the car and take photos, or even better a short video, of all four sides, the roof, tyres, and interior. If there is a scratch or a dent, report it to staff right away, do not assume it is obviously not your fault.
Deposit, check before you sign
The deposit amount can vary a lot between rental companies, sometimes a few hundred euros, sometimes several thousand. It is usually held on a credit card, not a debit card, worth checking before you book, not once you get there.
Insurance, read the fine print
The basic insurance included in the rental price often has a high excess, meaning an amount you still pay yourself in case of damage. Additional cover with no excess tends to be more expensive on site than if bought online in advance.
Tested by us Compare car rentals →Fuel level at pickup and return
Most rental companies work on a full to full basis, meaning you return the car with the same fuel level as at pickup. If you return it empty, you will usually pay a lot more than the price at the pump.
Extra drivers cost more
If you plan to take turns driving on the trip, every additional driver usually needs to be listed in the contract, often for an extra fee. Driving without being registered, and any damage during that time, can mean no insurance cover.
Local traffic rules
It is worth spending five minutes checking the key differences, speed limits, parking rules, whether an international driving licence is required. What is standard at home is not always the same elsewhere.
None of this is complicated, but together it keeps your mind at ease for the whole trip. A few minutes of checking at the start is the best investment you can make with a rental car.
This list came from a few of my own mishaps, not from any brochure. If you have your own car rental story, I would love to hear it. — Paweł
