Car rental tips & advice

Before you book

A little planning goes a long way with car hire. Start by comparing rates across suppliers rather than booking with the first company you see — prices for the exact same car can vary significantly depending on the supplier, the pick-up location and even the day you search. Decide early whether you need a specific vehicle type: a compact car is easiest to park and cheapest to run in a city, while an estate or SUV makes more sense for luggage-heavy trips or larger groups.

Check whether you'll need to cross a border, return the car to a different location (a one-way rental), or add an extra driver, since each of these can affect price and availability. If you're flying in, book your car for pick-up at the airport rather than arranging a taxi into town first — it's almost always cheaper and saves time.

How to save money on car hire

Book in advance where you can

Rates generally rise as your pick-up date approaches, particularly for popular destinations in peak season. Booking a few weeks ahead usually secures a better rate than booking the day before, though last-minute deals can occasionally appear if a supplier has excess stock to move.

Compare, don't assume

The best-known brand isn't always the cheapest, and the cheapest isn't always the best value once you account for what's included. Compare the full price — insurance, mileage allowance and standard fees together — rather than just the headline daily rate. Every quote on My-CarRentals is covered by our Best Price Guarantee, so you can compare with confidence.

Avoid unnecessary extras

Sat-nav, child seats and additional drivers are convenient but add up quickly if booked as add-ons at the counter. If you already have a phone-based navigation app or your own child seat, you may not need to pay for the supplier's version at all.

Mind the fuel policy

A "full-to-empty" policy that lets you prepay for fuel rarely works out cheaper unless you're certain you'll use most of the tank. In most cases, a "full-to-full" policy — where you return the car with a full tank, as you received it — is the most cost-effective option.

Watch for age and location surcharges

Drivers under 25 (or, less commonly, over 70) are often charged a young or senior driver fee, and airport or city-centre pick-up points can carry a small premium over less central branches. These are shown clearly before you pay, so it's worth checking both if your dates are flexible.

Insurance & excess, explained

Every rental compared on My-CarRentals already includes Liability Insurance, Theft Protection and a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) as standard. Here's what each one actually covers:

• Liability Insurance covers damage or injury you cause to other people, vehicles or property, and is a legal requirement in every country we operate in.
• Theft Protection limits what you owe if the vehicle is stolen during your rental period.
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) limits your liability if the car itself is damaged in a collision. It typically excludes windscreens, tyres, the underbody and towing charges, so check the specific terms if you're planning to drive on rougher roads.

The excess (sometimes called the deposit or deductible) is the amount you remain responsible for on top of this cover, usually held as a pre-authorisation on your card at pick-up and released once the car is returned undamaged. If you'd rather not have that amount held against your card, look for a "No Excess" option at checkout, or add third-party excess cover for a small daily fee. Full details are always available in our FAQ.

Documents you'll need

Requirements vary slightly by country and supplier, but as a general rule you should bring:

• A full, valid driving licence, held for the minimum period required (usually one to two years).
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence isn't printed in the local language — it's a certified translation, not a replacement, so carry both together.
• A valid passport or national ID, matching the name on the booking.
• A credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit — many suppliers don't accept debit cards or cash for this, so check before you travel.
• Your booking confirmation or voucher, printed or saved on your phone.

If you'll have an additional driver, they'll need to be present at pick-up with their own valid licence; drivers not registered on the rental agreement are not covered to drive.

At pick-up: what to check

Before you drive off, take a few minutes to do a proper walk-around of the car:

• Check for existing scratches, dents or windscreen chips, and make sure anything you find is noted on the rental agreement — not just mentioned verbally.
• Take timestamped photos or a short video of all four sides, the roof and the interior, so you have your own record.
• Confirm the fuel level shown on the agreement matches the gauge in the car.
• Check the mileage on the clock matches what's recorded, particularly if unlimited mileage isn't included.
• Test the lights, indicators and wipers, and locate the spare wheel or repair kit before you need it.

Ask the agent to point out anything specific to that model — the fuel cap release, parking sensors or how to switch off any warning lights — especially if it's a model you haven't driven before.

Driving abroad: general tips

Local rules can differ more than you'd expect, even between neighbouring countries. Before you set off, check:

• Which side of the road you'll be driving on, and adjust your habits accordingly for the first day.
• Local speed limits, which sometimes vary between what's signed and what applies by default outside built-up areas.
• Whether tolls are collected in cash, via an electronic tag, or through a prepaid vignette — toll costs are your responsibility and vary by country.
• Mandatory equipment some countries require you to carry, such as a hi-vis vest, warning triangle or breathalyser.
• Low-emission zones in city centres, which may restrict or charge for entry depending on your vehicle.

Keep your rental agreement and IDP in the car at all times, and save the supplier's emergency assistance number from your voucher before you leave the pick-up desk.

Returning the car

A smooth return starts with reading your fuel policy again just before drop-off — refuelling a few streets away from the return point is usually cheaper than the supplier's own pumps. Return the car with a clean interior (some suppliers charge a cleaning fee for anything beyond normal use), and remove all personal belongings, especially from door pockets and the boot.

Arrive with enough time for a proper hand-back inspection, and ask for a copy of the completed return checklist. If you're returning outside staffed hours, most locations have a secure key drop box — confirm the exact procedure with the agent at pick-up so you're not guessing at 6am on departure day.

Family & group trips

Travelling with children usually means booking a child or booster seat in advance rather than hoping one's available on the day — availability by exact seat type can be limited. For larger families or groups, compare a bigger car against renting two smaller ones: a single larger vehicle is often cheaper overall and much simpler logistically, especially for airport transfers with luggage.

If you're splitting driving duties, add every driver who'll be behind the wheel at pick-up. An uninsured, unregistered driver isn't just a paperwork issue — it can void your cover entirely in the event of an accident.

Planning a longer road trip

For multi-day trips, unlimited mileage (included on most of our rentals) removes one variable to worry about, so you can build an ambitious route without doing mental maths on kilometres. Plan fuel stops loosely rather than precisely — rural stations can be sparser and pricier than you'd expect, particularly outside peak tourist routes.

If your route crosses a border, confirm cross-border permission with your supplier in advance; not all rentals allow it, and those that do may apply a small surcharge. Finally, build a little slack into your schedule — a road trip with zero buffer time turns minor delays into real stress, while a flexible plan lets you enjoy an unplanned stop along the way.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Search and compare car hire now, or read our FAQ for more detailed answers.