Hassle Free Holiday Car Hire

Hassle free holiday car hire

You’ve been planning, preparing and packing for months. You’ve been dreaming of long days on the beach and evenings filled with the sounds of exotic music and the taste of the local cuisine.

You’ve organised your entire holiday within an inch of its life – except the car hire.

L N K Motors have put together a handy guide of how to sort out your car hire with ease, to avoid last minute drama when you arrive at your destination.

1. Sort your documentation

You’ll need your GB or Northern Ireland driving licence to drive abroad on holiday. You can use a photocard licence or a valid paper-only licence issued before 31st March 2000, if you still have one. Sounds a no brainer, but don’t forget to take it!

Be aware that the car hire company may ask for a check code so they can view your driving record. Additional proof of identity may also be required - this will normally mean your passport.   

You may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP), to drive in some non-EU countries.

For more information, see; Driving abroad: Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) - GOV.UK

Driving in Specific Countries

The AA has advice on driving in specific countries including information on compulsory equipment; Hiring A Car Abroad | AA

2. Avoid Common Pitfalls

The consumer watchdog ‘Which’, regularly receives complaints about car hire, often in Spain. Their useful checklist could help you avoid common pitfalls. They also provide a list of the best-and worst-rated car companies. Hiring A Car Abroad - Which?

Costs

Cheap car hire may not save you money in the long run-be - on your guard against hidden extras such as additional mileage charges, admin fees and re-fuelling costs.

Always pay with a credit card as your rights will be protected in the event of any problems, provided the value of what you spend is over £100 and not more than £30,000.

Unresolved complaints relating to cross-border vehicle rentals within Europe can be referred to the European Car Rental Conciliation Service or the European Consumer Centres Network. Both are free although the former only deals with complaints about its member companies and you must have booked directly, not through a broker.

Car Hire Excess Insurance

According to the AA, most hire firms expect you to pay the first part of any accident or damage claim unless you opt for their ‘super’ insurance. As it can often be cheaper to arrange your own car hire excess reimbursement insurance, it really does pay to shop around.

Fuel

You may not always be given the choice but fuel can be provided in two ways;

• Supplied full, return full –pay only for what you need but you’ll have to find a filling station close to the hire car return.  There’ll be a big service charge on your credit card if you don't return the car with a full tank. 

• Supplied full, return 'empty' – pay up-front for a full tank and return the car as empty as you dare.  OK if you’re planning a lot of driving but not great value if you're only visiting a small island.

3. Research your Rental Company

So, which rental company should you choose? The savings experts, Confused.com recognise that price will likely be a major factor when it comes to your decision but suggests you might want to consider the following points too;

• The range of vehicles on offer

• The drop-off/pick-up location for your car (is it convenient to get to?)

• Whether it imposes any limits on mileage

• The reputation of the firm – have you read any reviews online, or have friends or family used the company before?

Confused.com also emphasise that it's vital to check your vehicle first. It's not unknown for companies to charge customers several times over for the same scratches and dents.

If you spot any problems with the vehicle which haven't already been noted, tell the hire car rep and have details added to the rental agreement.

As back-up, they recommend you take a video and pictures of the car on your phone. 

4. Choosing the Right Car

Budget, the number of passengers, the amount of stuff you have, your type of journey and any personal preferences will all play a part in selecting the right car for you.

They say it’s worth noting that most hire companies don’t guarantee that you’ll receive the exact type/model of the car you select – only one of a similar size and specification.

However, as they point out, your options will be based on the following general categories of vehicle;

Compact/small

These cars tend to have two doors and a smaller engine. At the more affordable end of things, compact cars may be great for a city break or driving shorter distances. 

But if you’re doing some serious road-tripping, or you have a lot of luggage, then you may want to opt for a larger vehicle.

Economy

Small and generally fuel efficient, economy cars tend to be a good option for those on a budget. 

A quick scout of some hire sites show the likes of a Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat 500 and Ford Fiesta sit in this category.

SUV

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have exploded in popularity in recent years, so it’s no surprise that they’ve proved desirable hire cars too. 

Offering a higher driving position and generally plenty of space, SUVs are a fine choice for a family road trip, for example. 

In North America, SUVs such as the Ford Escape, Jeep Compass or Hyundai Santa Fe are common. In Europe you could be looking at cars such as a Nissan Qashqai or Renault Kadjar.

Luxury

Popular with business travellers – or people who require the latest gadgets, luxury, or premium cars usually come from a prestige manufacturer and have a price tag to match. 

Some of the cars we’ve seen in this category include an Audi A4, BMW 5 Series and a Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

5. Pre-plan child car seats

Different countries have different laws regarding child car seats. As a general rule of thumb, you should go for at least the minimum UK safety requirements to keep your little ones safe.

Most car hire companies will rent you’re a car seat but they can be pricey. You can solve this problem by taking your own seat – we LOVE this portable seat from travel genius Trunki, which doubles as a hand-luggage sized backpack.