European Car Rental Renting a car in Europe offers different challenges to agents and travelers than here in North America. 1. Do you need an international drivers permit to rent a car in Europe? - No, it is not required in order to rent a car but is strongly recommended. In the event of an accident or traffic violation, having recognizable identification to present to the police will make things a lot easier. An IDP can be purchased from AAA or the DMV and takes 4-6 weeks to receive. 2. Are automatic cars available in Europe? - Manual cars are more common in Europe but automatics can be arranged by your travel agent. 3. Is it possible to pick up the car in one country and drop it off in another? - Yes, but expect to pay higher drop fees. 4. Is a CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) necessary? - This is up to the individual but often it is better to be safe than sorry. When incidents occur in Europe, it may not be cheaper to purchase a CDW but it can save time for your client and yourself to have one, as trying to fix a car rental problem from the U.S. can be challenging. 5. Will my clients have to present a credit card locally? - Yes, most locations will request a credit card for a damage deposit locally. This hold will be reimbursed once the car is returned without damage, but it can sometimes take 2-3 weeks. 6. Where are cars allowed to go? - Car rental companies often prohibit driving a car rented in Western Europe into many of the Eastern countries. Always check if the desired itinerary is allowed before traveling. 7. Do cars in Europe have GPS devices or can one be rented? - Yes, a GPS can be requested when booking, but some locations will not guarantee them, stating that they are first come first serve. If a client has a GPS here in the US, they may be able to contact the manufacturer and get it updated for use in Europe. This can be less expensive and will save your client the aggravation of getting used to new technology or ending up with a GPS that is in a foreign language. Also, a GPS is not always be the top tool for navigation in Europe, in some places a good old fashioned map can be the best option. 8. What can be anticipated regarding the size of cars in Europe? - It is always a safe assumption that cars in Europe will be smaller than at home. Packing light and not exceeding the maximum amount of passengers can mean a more comfortable trip.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:48:05 +0000
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