FAQs

FAQs Are you looking for a car to rent for your trip? Do you have any questions about the car rental process, costs, insurance or cancellation policy? Don’t worry, we have compiled some frequently asked questions about car rental to help you have the best experience.

What is needed to rent a car?

To rent a car, you need three things (all held by the main driver):

• A credit card with enough credit to cover the deposit for the car
• A full driving license, that they’ve held for at least two years
• A Rentalcars.com Rental Voucher, or eVoucher on our app

Additional drivers will need their full driving license. You’ll pay for any additional drivers and extra equipment when you arrive to pick up the car – so it’s worth bearing those costs in mind when thinking about your credit card. You’ll find the deposit amount in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.

What forms of payment are accepted for renting a car?

You can book your car with us using most credit and debit cards. We’ll let you know what we accept while you’re booking. But it’s important for us to let you know that the main driver will need a credit card with them to pick up the car. This is because the hire car company need to put a deposit on the main driver’s credit card. You can pay for your rental on our site however suits you best – you don’t have to use the same card to book your rental car and pay the deposit.

How much does it cost to rent a car?

The cost of renting a car depends on many factors, such as the type of car, the location, the duration, the season and the availability. The best way to find out how much it costs to rent a car is to use our search tool and compare prices from different car hire companies. You can also filter by features such as fuel policy, transmission type and customer rating to find the best deal for you.

How much is the deposit on a car rental?

The deposit amount varies depending on the car hire company and the type of car. You can find out how much the deposit is in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher. The deposit is usually blocked on your credit card when you pick up the car and released when you return it in good condition.

Do I need insurance to rent a car?

Yes, you need insurance to rent a car. The basic insurance that comes with every rental covers you for damage to other people’s property (usually called third-party liability) and damage due to theft or attempted theft (usually called theft protection). However, this does not cover damage to your own rental car. To cover that, you can either buy additional insurance from the car hire company when you pick up the car or buy our Full Protection product when you book online. Our Full Protection product covers damage to your own rental car as well as other charges such as towing costs, admin fees and loss of use.

Can I rent a car if I don’t have a credit card?

No, unfortunately – in almost all cases you will need a credit card. The car hire company will put a deposit on the main driver’s credit card before they hand over the keys to the rental car. Without a credit card, they can’t take the deposit, so won’t hand over the keys. You can find out if you need a credit card in a car’s terms and conditions, under ‘What you need at pick-up’.

How do I amend or cancel my booking?

To amend or cancel your booking, go to ‘Manage booking’ on our homepage. You can change the length of your trip, type of car you want and add details such as your flight number. We don’t charge any admin fees for changing your booking. But if you change your booking in any way, it’s likely that the price will change. It’s a good idea to make any changes as early as possible. We’ll do our best, but sometimes the car hire companies we work with aren’t able to accommodate changes made at short notice before your trip.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you cancel MORE than 48 hours before your rental is due to start, you will receive a full refund. However, if you paid a deposit when you booked the car, you will not get that deposit back. If you cancel LESS than 48 hours before your rental is due to start, you will receive a refund, but minus…

Are there any additional charges?

There may be some additional charges depending on the car hire company and the type of car you choose. Some of the common additional charges are:

• Young driver surcharge: If you are under 25 years old, you may have to pay an extra fee to rent a car. This is because younger drivers are considered more risky by the car hire companies. The amount of the surcharge varies depending on the company and the location. You can find out if you have to pay a young driver surcharge in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.
• Additional driver fee: If you want to share the driving with someone else, you may have to pay an extra fee to add them as an additional driver. The amount of the fee varies depending on the company and the location. You can find out if you have to pay an additional driver fee in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.
• Extra equipment fee: If you need any extra equipment for your trip, such as a child seat, a GPS or a ski rack, you may have to pay an extra fee to rent them. The amount of the fee varies depending on the company and the equipment. You can find out if you have to pay an extra equipment fee in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.

Can I still hire a car if I forgot my driving license?

No, unfortunately – you need your driving license to rent a car. The car hire company will check your driving license before they hand over the keys to the rental car. Without a driving license, they can’t verify your identity and driving record, so won’t hand over the keys. You can find out what documents you need to bring with you in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.

What is an International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your driving license into different languages and allows you to drive in foreign countries. You may need an IDP if you are renting a car in a country where your driving license is not widely recognized or accepted. You can find out if you need an IDP in the terms and conditions of the car and on your rental voucher.

What should I do if I get in an accident in a rental car?

If you get in an accident in a rental car, you should do the following:

• Stay calm and check if anyone is injured. Call for medical assistance if needed.
• Call the police and report the accident. Get a copy of the police report or a reference number.
• Call the car hire company and inform them of what happened. Follow their instructions on what to do next.
• Take photos of the damage to your rental car and any other vehicles involved. Exchange contact and insurance details with the other parties.
• Fill out an accident report form when you return the car. Keep all receipts and documents related to the accident.

How do I return my rental car?

You should return your rental car to the same location where you picked it up, unless you have arranged a different drop-off location with the car hire company. You should return your rental car at or before