🧾 When You Arrive

🪪 Bring your driving licence (plus IDP if required), the credit card in the main driver’s name, and your booking confirmation.
🕒 Confirm your pick-up and return times, and make sure the vehicle category you booked is available — downgrades sometimes happen unless questioned.
📏 Check the mileage limits (if any).
🔍 Inspect the vehicle sheet and ensure every dent, scratch, chip or mark is logged before signing.
📍 Ask where the return area is located — some airports use different terminals.
🛣️ Ask how toll roads work in that country — some need prepayment, some use automatic tolls (“e-tolls”), and some incur admin fees.

💬 Common Upsells at the Desk (and What to Do)

It’s normal for staff to offer extras — but not all are worth it.
🚫 Extra insurance:
They’ll often push full-cover or “premium” insurance. You can politely decline if you’ve already booked Car Hire Excess Insurance or have coverage through your travel insurance.
🚫 Upgrades to bigger cars:
Nice, but not free — and they burn more fuel. Only accept if it’s genuinely a better deal or suits your needs.
🚫 Pre-Paid Fuel Options:
Stick to full-to-full unless you know you’ll return the tank empty. Pre-paying often costs more overall.

💡 Book extras online:
Child seats, sat navs, or additional drivers are nearly always cheaper if added online when you compare car hire prices — not at the counter.

🚗 Before You Drive Away

📸 Take full photos or video of the entire car, including front, back, both sides, wheels, roof, windscreen, mirrors, dashboard, mileage and fuel gauge.
⏱️ Make sure all images/videos are time & date stamped.
💡 Check essentials:
• Headlights, indicators, wipers.
• Air-con/heating.
• Windscreen visibility.
• Tyre condition and tyre pressure light.
🛞 Check equipment:
• Whether a spare tyre or repair kit is included — many modern cars don’t have one.
• The safety kit (warning triangle, reflective vest, first-aid kit) — required in many countries.
⛽ Fuel:
• Check the fuel type matches your booking.
• Double-check the filler cap label — misfuelling is NOT covered by most insurance policies.
🎛️ Controls:
• Learn the lights, wipers, handbrake type, indicators.
• Find the fuel cap release — these can be hidden in many models.
• Adjust mirrors and seats.
• Check the language settings on the infotainment/sat nav.
🛣️ Tolls:
• Check if your route uses automatic tolls (“e-tolls”) — these often trigger admin charges. If unsure, ask the hire company whether your car has a toll tag fitted.
📍 Navigation:
• Set up your route before leaving — car parks often have poor signal.
• Leave the car park slowly — exits can be confusing.
🕒 Know your return plan:
• Drop-off time.
• Fuel policy.
• After-hours key drop.

🚗 If You’re Using Self-Collect or Picking Up the Car Yourself

Some hire companies now send you straight from the desk to the car park — or let you skip the desk entirely using self-collect / self-service. If so, you must do your own checks before driving away, because no staff member will walk around the car with you.

When You Reach the Car

• Check the licence plate matches the car assigned in your paperwork/app.
• Walk around the entire vehicle before unlocking it — note dents, scratches, chips, scuffs, and wheel damage.

Take Photos/Video (Essential)

• Capture every angle including roof, wheels, mirrors, windscreen and interior.
• Take close-ups of every mark.
• Photograph dashboard, mileage & fuel gauge.
• Ensure everything is time & date stamped.
• Check the safety kit is present if legally required.

If You Spot Damage Not Listed

• Report it before you drive the car.
• Use the QR code, app button, or phone number provided for reporting condition (most self-service systems have one).
• If no option is given, call the rental desk immediately and tell them the exact damage.
• Keep a photo/video of you reporting it (e.g., screenshot of the call or message). Be sure they are time & date stamped.

Inside the Car

• Check: headlights, indicators, wipers, air-con, seat belts, tyre pressure light, fuel level, fuel cap release, windscreen.
• Make sure you can adjust mirrors and seats properly.
• Check the car isn’t making unusual noises (rattles, tyre thudding noises, warning beeps).
• Check for the safety kit (warning triangle, reflective vest, first-aid kit) — required in many countries.

• Choose a car that is clearly in good condition, with as few marks as possible.
• Avoid cars with:
  • Windscreen chips.
  • Low tyre tread.
  • Noticeable dents or scrapes.
  • Warning lights on.
• Photograph your chosen one before leaving.

Before Leaving the Car Park

• Confirm return location, fuel policy, after-hours procedure.
• Set up navigation before driving off — car parks have poor signal and confusing exits.
• Photograph your parking bay/row number.

🕒 Before You Head Back

⛽ Refuel if required – Most hires use full-to-full. Keep your receipt as proof you filled up before drop-off. Refuel near the return area but avoid airport petrol stations if possible. Save a digital photo of your fuel receipt.
🕰️ Check your return location and time – Even being a few minutes late can trigger an extra day’s charge.
🧽 Give it a quick tidy – Remove rubbish and shake out mats to avoid unnecessary cleaning fees.

🅿️ At the Return Area

🚦 Follow the signs – Large airports have separate return zones for each hire company.
🔍 Ask for an inspection – If possible, have a staff member check the car with you, and confirm there’s no new damage.
🧾 Get written confirmation – Ask for a return slip or email showing the mileage, fuel level, and condition before you leave.

💳 Deposits & Refunds

💰 Deposits are usually released within 5–10 business days.
💳 If paid by credit card, the deposit is ring-fenced, not fully charged.
⌛ Some banks show the deposit as pending — this is normal.
📸 Keep your photos until the deposit returns.
💱 Refunds go back in the original currency, so small differences can occur.