The classic American road trip is practically a rite of passage. Hilton Hotels reports that, “71% of American travelers prepare to hit the open road on their next vacation.” And with Route 66 turning 100 next year, road trips are predicted to be one of next year’s biggest travel trends.
After eight years of full-time travel, I’ve rented cars in dozens of places from Scotland to New Zealand to the Azores. I’ve also made plenty of silly mistakes when renting a car, costing me thousands of dollars in unnecessary fees.
Here are some of my top tips for renting a car abroad and everything you need to know to avoid surprise charges.
1. Take a video of the car’s exterior
This is absolutely crucial when renting a car. Before you drive out of the parking lot, take a detailed one to two-minute video, going over every inch of the car and focusing on areas where there are scratches and dings. If it’s nighttime, ask your travel partner to hold up a light, so that you don’t miss anything on the video.
That way, if your rental car company tries to claim there is damage or scratches when you return the car, you can show them and your insurance company the video evidence.
Travelers renting a car for a road trip.
(aoldman via Getty Images)
2. Pay attention to insurance
Many American credit card companies, like Chase, offer their customers car insurance if the rental is booked using their credit card. But in order for the credit card company’s insurance to be valid, you must deny any kind of insurance through the rental car company.
And before you book your rental car, call your credit card company to confirm what damages it covers and how to make a claim if necessary.
3. Book the best car for you
In my opinion, the smaller the rental car, the better, especially in Europe, where the roads are incredibly narrow. While you may be used to driving an SUV in the States, the roads in Europe demand much smaller cars. Plus, a smaller car means less likelihood of scratching it against a wall or another car.
“It can make a big difference if you book a compact car for a family of five with luggage, or a sedan when you are heading into the mountains. Even things like fuel efficiency or whether you are comfortable driving an EV in a new place can really shape your trip,” says Andres Barry, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, Americas, Avis Budget Group.
Rental car tips for traveling the world.
(Justin Paget via Getty Images)
4. Select the right primary driver
When it comes to selecting the primary driver, make sure the credit card you use to book the car is in the primary driver’s name. My partner and I made the mistake of booking him as the primary driver under my credit card in Scotland, and it cost us $2,000.
The rental company would only accept a card in the primary driver’s name. And when changed at the pick-up counter, especially to a debit card, there could be huge upcharges.
5. Make sure you have the correct license
Most countries require drivers to have a license in their home country and an international driver’s license. Travelers can get these before their trip at places like AAA, where a fee and passport-sized photo is required.
Not all countries have the same driving agreement with the US, so it’s important to check the international driving rules for the specific country you’ll be driving in.
Rental car tips for travelers on the road.
(Jos Pieterse / 500px via Getty Images)
6. Pay attention to tolls and road signs
This is a pretty common pitfall for travelers driving abroad. You may accidentally wander into a no-car road or onto a tolled highway. When renting a car in London recently, I had to avoid certain roads to avoid a congestion zone fee. But the car rental company did not tell me about the congestion zone. I researched tolls and fees around London beforehand. And if you do mistakenly incur a fee, try to go to the local website and pay it yourself; otherwise, the car rental company charges an additional service fee to take care of the payment.
“Road signs, toll systems, and even fueling can look different from what you are used to at home,” says Barry. “A little bit of research before you travel makes a huge difference in helping you feel confident once you get behind the wheel.”