Hand them to the right place
To a member of staff
The cleanest option. Get the return document signed at the same time, showing the date, time and mileage.
Into a designated key box
Standard for out-of-hours returns. Photograph the keys going in and note the exact time.
Never anywhere else
Not to a car park attendant, a hotel desk or another driver. If the keys go astray, the loss is charged to you.
Never leave keys in the car
Leaving keys inside the vehicle, in the wheel arch or above a wheel invalidates the insurance completely. A theft in those circumstances is charged to the renter in full.
This holds even where a member of staff suggests it — if that happens, get the instruction in writing first.
What to keep
- A signed return note, or a photograph of the keys in the drop box.
- The time of return.
- The final odometer reading.
- The emailed confirmation, once it arrives.
If the confirmation does not arrive
Chase it the next working day. An unconfirmed return can leave the rental technically open, which delays the deposit and exposes you to charges for a period you were not driving.