Before booking
The stage where most rentals go wrong. Every condition here is checked at the counter, and none of it can be fixed after you land: the licence you hold, the card in your name, your age and driving experience, and the deposit your card has to carry.
Articles in this section
1What documents do you need to rent a carBefore booking a car it is worth checking the documents and the individual supplier's terms in advance. Requirements differ between countries, but the basic set…
2Do you need an International Driving Permit to rent a carBefore a trip it is worth working out whether you need an International Driving Permit. In some countries a national licence is enough; in others the supplier or local…
3Renting a car abroad with a Russian driving licenceA Russian driving licence on its own does not guarantee that a car will be handed over. Two separate things have to line up: the country's rules must recognise…
4Driver age requirements for renting a carAge is one of the few rental conditions that cannot be negotiated at the counter. It is set per supplier and per car class, and it is checked against the licence…
5How much driving experience is needed to rent a carAlongside age, suppliers check how long the licence has been held. The two conditions are separate: a driver can be old enough and still fall short on experience.
6Do you need a credit card to rent a carOne of the most important questions before booking a car is whether a credit card is required. For many suppliers the card decides whether the vehicle can be released…
7What is the security deposit when renting a carThe deposit is the supplier's protection against costs that only appear after the car is handed over: damage, fines, missing fuel or a late return. In most cases it…
8How to choose the right rental carThe cheapest line in the list is rarely the right car. The class that suits a trip depends on the route, the luggage, the number of passengers and how much…