Age of Driver

Age restrictions do apply when renting a car, and not only vary according to the car hire company in question but also may vary depending on the location you wish to rent from. If you are under 25 you will need to check the rental car company's policy before making a booking. Age surcharges will generally apply to those under 25. In some cases, certain specials on offer will not be available to anyone under 25. Some car groups may require a higher minimum age.

Age Minimum

Cars may only be rented by drivers 25 years of age or older, who have a valid driver's license issued at least one year prior to rental or unless stated otherwise, and who present a current major credit card in their name (American Express, Diner's Club, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard). The driver's license must be presented at commencement of the rental.

Age Maximum

There is a maximum age for rentals in some locations

Airport Surcharge

A fee paid for picking up the car at the airport. This can be a flat fee or a percentage of the total rental charge depending on country and supplier. There may be a way to avoid it by picking up at a convenient location in town. Also note that if you avoid the fee by picking up in town you can still drop at the airport for no additional cost.

Car Hire

Car hire is cheaper if done through the internet, but the process can be easier if you already know what type of vehicle you need, which location you want to pick up and drop off at, and at what times, along with other needs such as required kilometers and ages' of drivers.

Car reserved

Receiving the requested make or model of car depends upon availability at the time of rental. Car rental companies cannot guarantee the make or model you will receive

Car Types

Vary from country to country and are subject to availability. Car reservations are issued by car group and not by car make within a group. Make/Model listed is for guidance only and may vary. Cars of similar size and style may be substituted. All car groups may not be available at every location. Cars in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Greece are smaller than cars in northern Europe. Automatic cars are not available in all locations/countries. Please check at the time of reservations.

Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection Insurance

CDW and TP, where available, may vary by car group and country. These options limit the renter from responsibility for damage to or loss of the rental car, unless it results from use as prohibited by the rental agreement. A non-waivable excess will remain on the charge of customers in case of damage to or loss of the car even if the CDW/TP has been accepted. This non-waivable excess varies by country and car group and in some cases can also be reduced by purchasing Super CDW, or zero excess insurance. Collision damage waivers usually do not cover windows, tires, roof, undercarriage, interior, and side mirrors, incidents that occur while on a ferry or damage due to vandalism or acts of nature. Many US and Canadian credit cards will cover this policy up to 30 and 45 days, respectively. Also known as LDW (Loss Damage Waiver)

Credit Card - Will I need a credit card in my name to rent a car

Yes, the driver will need to present a valid credit card in the driver's name. Debit cards are not accepted.

Child Seat

Most countries require that children under a certain age be secured in a child seat. These can be reserved in advance from the rental agency. Depending upon age and/or weight, a particular front or rear facing seat will be appropriated. Please note that as child seats are additional equipment they are considered on request until confirmed by the supplier. It varies according to the country you pick up in.

Covered Hatch

In lieu of an enclosed trunk, some smaller vehicles have a hatchback luggage compartment with a shade or board that can be pulled over the luggage in order to shield it from view. You will usually find these in economy and compact vehicles, and sometimes in the intermediate class as well.

Drop Box

Most metropolitan rental locations have an after hours drop box, which will allow a renter to return their vehicle when an office is closed, after parking it in a spot designated by the rental company. If you should need to use a drop box at the end of your rental, please notify the rental counter before you pick up your rental car, so they can properly inform

Estimated Rental Price

The Estimated Rental Price includes the total of all known rates, taxes, fees, surcharges and applicable drop off charges that you must pay either by law or by local policy for the length of a particular car rental request. This price does not include optional services such as insurance waivers, special equipment, mileage charges, or gasoline etc. It also does not include extra day or hour charges that can result from a late return of the rental car unless stated otherwise. This price is provided so you can better estimate the total price you may pay to the rental car company for your car, but is not a guarantee of your total charges.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A system that uses satellites to beam signals to a receiver, and then calculates the time it takes to receive that signal, thereby determining latitude and longitude coordinates, and overlaying that point of reference onto a mapping program, which displays on the screen.    offers handheld versions of the GPS, which can be taken wherever you go while in Europe.

Grace Period

Most car rental companies will allow at least 30 minutes after the 24-hour rental period before they charge for an extra day. Check with your supplier once you reach the rental counter as it varies by company.

IDL (International Driving License)

A reprinting of your US or Canadian license into several different languages, intended to expedite the process of dealing with authorities in the event that you are pulled over. You are required in some countries at the rental counter to have one, including but not limited to Austria, Greece and Poland. In some countries such as Spain and Italy you can be fined up to 200 Euro on the spot if you are pulled over and do not have one. They cost between 15 and 20 US dollars and can be purchased through your local AAA .

Liability

A type of insurance that covers the renter of a vehicle in the event of damage or bodily harm inflicted to persons or property outside of the rental vehicle. Most liability insurances are rendered void in the case of driver negligence, such as operating under the influence. Verify with your car rental company at the counter.

No Show Fee

Some higher end vehicles and vans have a no show fee if they are not cancelled within 24 hours of pick up and nobody arrives to collect them. Essentially, while the price of the rental can be refunded, the no show fee can range from 20 to 50 dollars. Make sure to read your terms and conditions to find out if your rental car has a no show fee.

One Ways

When a rental car is dropped of at a location that differs from its origin, this is called a one way. You can not make a one way booking in this site.

PAI (Personal Accident Insurance)

Covers the driver and in some cases passengers in the event of bodily harm to themselves while inside the vehicle, up to a certain amount. This can be purchased, based upon the supplier, at time of pick up.

PEC - Personal Effects Coverage

Covers a person’s belongings inside the rental car in the event that they are stolen or destroyed, up to a certain amount. This can also be purchased, based on the supplier, at time of pick up, although in most cases PAI must be purchased first.

Rates do not include

Gas, Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection and/or Personal Accident Insurance (unless stated otherwise), fees for an additional and/or young driver, airport surcharges, registration tax or car group upgrades made locally. In some countries it is mandatory to take the inclusive rate due to the lack of support by credit

Rental Agreement

The contract that is signed by the renter once the rental counter is reached. Typically this contract is in both English and the native language of the country and deals with requisites such as insurance coverage, dates, car size and type, etc. Please note that your voucher is not a rental agreement.

Rental Period

The time you are responsible for the rental car. These periods are designated in 24 hour.

Reservation

Once you have completed the booking process you will be shown a quote based on the travel details you have entered. To reserve that booking you will need to confirm by clicking on the directed button. You will then be required to enter in personal details such as email address and phone number, and, in some cases, credit card details. However, payment will only occur when you go to pick up your vehicle. A reservation voucher is e-mailed with your rental details.

Reservation modification/cancellation

Yes; however, modifications may cause rate changes. Car rates can change daily, or even hourly, so changes you make to your reservation after
confirmation can affect the original rate.

Road Tax / Vehicle License Fee

Cars are taxed when registered in an effort to raise money to restore and maintain the roads in the country in question. They are also taxed a fee to license the vehicle to others. The rental companies therefore pass these taxes to the renter in small portions to eventually recoup the fees they pay on the vehicles.

Roadside Assistance

Rental companies almost always include a 24-hour breakdown and towing service in case your car becomes unrivaled during a rental. The phone number for roadside assistance is usually either in the glove box or on your key holder.

Security Deposit

The amount of money blocked on a credit card during a rental in regards to the deductible on insurance as well as a full tank of gas and car keys. This block is released provided the car is returned in the same condition it was rented in, with the same amount of gas and the keys intact.

Supplier

The car rental company that provides the rental vehicle for your reservation

Shuttle service to my rental car

Many rental agencies offer shuttle service to the car pick up location from the airport. You will need to ask about this service prior to your arrival or check at the airport.

Taxes - special taxes for car rentals in countries outside of the US

Yes, there can be some mandatory taxes that are only applied in certain countries. Check with the car company when you are picking up your car.

Theft Protection

Insurance that covers the renter in the event that the rental car is stolen. In most cases in order for a policy to become active a police report must be filed within 24 hours of theft and the rental company notified. This type of coverage does not cover belongings inside the vehicle.

VAT-Value Added Tax

Ranging anywhere from 5% to 25% depending on the country you are picking up the rental car in, value added tax is much like sales tax in the United States.

Walk-In

A term used mostly at airport and rail station locations meaning that you are not arriving by plane or train.

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