International car rental has more pitfalls than domestic rental. Quoted rates often exclude mandatory fees that double the total. Insurance gets sold three times over. Some countries require an International Driving Permit you have to obtain weeks before travel. This guide below covers what experienced international renters actually do and what costs they avoid.
Top things to know, before you book
1. Check International Driving Permit (IDP) requirements
Many countries require an IDP alongside your home licence. Get it BEFORE leaving home as most countries won’t issue an IDP after you arrive. Sources:
- US: AAA or AATA – $20-25, in-person or by mail
- UK: Post Office (PO) – £5.50
- Australia: NRMA, RACV – A$45-50
- Canada: CAA – C$25
Countries that require IDP are: most of Europe outside Schengen, Japan, China, Brazil, much of Southeast Asia, parts of Africa.
2. Verify minimum age and license requirements
Most countries require drivers to be 21+. Premium and luxury vehicles often require 25+. Drivers under 25 face “young driver” surcharges of $15-30/day in many markets. Some countries (Spain, Italy, Greece) charge these fees more aggressively.
3. Book through aggregator platforms – but verify with operator
Compare on Discover Cars, Rentalcars.com, Kayak, Auto Europe. Then verify the actual operator because some aggregators list third-tier local operators with poor support. Major international operators (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise) have more consistent service across countries.
4. Pre pay vs pay at counter
Pre-paid rates are typically 10-20% cheaper but non-refundable. Pay-at-counter is more flexible. Pre-pay if travel is certain; pay-at-counter for uncertain plans.
The insurance trap
This is where rental companies make their margin. You may be sold the same coverage three times.
Coverage you may already have:
- Credit card rental insurance – many premium cards (Amex, Chase Sapphire, Visa Signature) include collision damage waiver automatically when you pay with the card. Check terms before declining counter insurance.
- Personal auto insurance – sometimes extends to rental cars; less common internationally
- Travel insurance – some travel insurance includes rental car coverage
Coverage often required by law (some countries):
- Third-party liability (other people’s damage) – included in rate by law in EU
- Personal injury – included in most quoted rates
Coverage typically optional:
- Collision damage waiver (CDW) – covers damage to rental car
- Theft protection
- Tire and windshield protection (often a scam – they’re consumables, not damage)
- Personal accident insurance – usually redundant with home health insurance
The honest move: verify your credit card’s rental insurance terms before the trip; decline counter insurance if covered; never buy tire/windshield/super-CDW upgrades.
Things to check at the counter
5. Inspect the car carefully before driving away
Walk around, photograph every panel, note existing scratches/dents on the rental agreement. Photograph the dashboard showing fuel level and odometer reading. Most damage disputes can be resolved with timestamped photos.
6. Verify the agreement matches the booking
Counter staff sometimes upgrade you to a different car class “as a courtesy” and then charge for the upgrade later. Verify class, daily rate, total amount, return location.
7. Decline pre-paid fuel
Almost always more expensive than refilling yourself. Return at the same fuel level you received.
8. Note return rules carefully
Late returns charge full extra-day rates. Different return locations charge significant fees in some countries. After-hours drop-off may not be allowed.
While driving abroad
9. Carry the rental agreement and IDP in the car
Police checks are routine in many countries. Missing documentation creates problems.
10. Know which side of the road
Obvious, but easy to forget. In countries that drive on the left (UK, Australia, NZ, India, Japan, South Africa, much of Africa, parts of Asia), the gear shift, indicators, and roundabouts all work “inverted” from right-hand-drive countries.
11. Carry emergency numbers
- Rental company’s emergency contact
- Local emergency services (varies – 112 EU, 999 UK, 911 US/Canada, 000 Australia)
- Roadside assistance if included
12. Watch for country-specific rules
- Germany: autobahn has unrestricted sections but stiff penalties on restricted ones
- France: reflective vest, warning triangle, breathalyser required by law
- Italy: ZTL zones (limited traffic) often photographed; fines arrive months later
- UK: congestion charge zones (London) and ULEZ require pre-payment
- Norway/Sweden/Switzerland: tolls auto-charged via plate readers
Returning the car
13. Photograph the car at return
Full walkaround, fuel gauge, odometer. Damage disputes appear weeks after return; photographic evidence protects you.
14. Get written confirmation of return
Even for after-hours drop-off, verify how the operator records return time.
15. Watch for post-trip charges
Tolls, traffic fines, additional damage claims may appear weeks later. Some companies charge administrative fees ($30-50) for handling toll forwarding.
Common international rental mistakes
- Forgetting the IDP. Some countries refuse rental without it; others fine drivers.
- Buying full insurance at the counter when card covers it. 30-50% of the daily rate wasted.
- Pre-paid fuel. Almost always overpriced.
- Not photographing pickup condition. Damage disputes are uphill without photos.
- Crossing country borders without permission. Many rentals prohibit it.
- Returning under-fueled. Refueling charges run 2-3x pump prices.
Conclusion
Get the IDP weeks before travel, verify credit card rental insurance, decline counter add-ons, photograph the car at pickup and return, know country-specific rules. The headline rate is often 40-60% of the actual cost, hence budget realistically. This is general guidance; so verify specific requirements with your destination country’s transport authority and your home country’s automobile association.
