What You Need To Know Before Renting a Car in Europe This Summer

Here’s everything You Need To Know Before Renting a Car in Europe This Summer

In the U.S., we tend to take our cars for granted — most of us have them, they’re relatively cheap and plentiful, and they usually get us where we want to go without too much trouble. Even in big cities like New York or Los Angeles, it’s not difficult to find a Zipcar or other sharing service for quick trips.

But if you’re planning to rent a car for your next vacation in Europe, there are some important things to know before you book that vehicle.

The legal driving age is 18 years old

This may seem obvious, but U.S. licenses can be accepted all over the world — including in many European countries — so it’s easy to forget that we aren’t dealing with American rules and regulations when we rent our cars internationally. For example the legal driving age in Germany and Italy is 18 years old; in France and Spain, it’s 17. It may sound like a small difference (and an unfair one), but it means that the minimum limit of 20 years old will make you ineligible to drive at certain times or places. This can be a major inconvenience, so check the very specific rules and regulations of your destination country before you go.

Significantly more expensive than most U.S. rentals

One of the biggest reasons why people choose to rent cars abroad is convenience: it’s usually possible to book 24 hours or less in advance, and most major European cities will have several locations where you can pick up your car once you arrive. But unless you’ve rented cars abroad before, it’s unlikely that American rental rates will prepare you for how much it costs — especially during high season. The average daily rate for a compact car at Hertz in Paris was $75 for June; Avis’ cheapest option came out to about $97 per day, according to a recent post by the A.V. Club. This means that you’ll probably spend anywhere from $400 to $800 on your car rental during a typical three- or four-day trip — which isn’t cheap, even when you take the weather and sites into consideration.

Renting an automatic is usually more expensive than manual transmission Some companies only offer cars with manual transmissions, which can be especially frustrating if you’re renting abroad and don’t know how to drive stick (certain European models do come standard with automatics). This may not always apply in high season, but for most of the year it’s common to pay at least $100 extra for an automatic car — sometimes as much as $200 extra per day. If you’ve looked at the rates for manual transmissions and don’t know how to drive stick, consider asking a friend or family member who does (most people learn in high school).

Worst option: renting without an international driver’s license

If you want to rent a car on your own but aren’t comfortable driving on unfamiliar roads with foreign rules. There is another way — but it isn’t necessarily cheaper. When you go through most major rental services website. You’ll see that they offer an additional IDP (International Driving Permit) that allows you to legally drive cars abroad. For about $20 plus processing fees, this usually covers one trip out of the country for up to three months. After which time, if you haven’t already return. The vehicle by then, you could be subject to extra fees and penalties.

The IDP is legal in more than 100 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and much of Europe. But it doesn’t take the place of a passport. You’ll still need to bring your actual driver’s license as well as international driving permit. Since these can often include separate information (such as height requirements) that an IDP cannot. If you want all your bases covered, or if rental rates are too high for comfort at home or abroad. You really only have two options: rent through a local company. With whom you’re already familiar (most major rental services. Either have offices or partner with companies near tourist destinations), or use a third-party service like Auto Europe. These websites, while more expensive than their major competitors, offer the convenience of one-stop shopping and reliable service.

Conclusion:

Renting a car for your first solo trip abroad might not be the most financially savvy decision. Depending on your destination and travel style. But to put it another way: it’s usually an option — and certainly one of the more flexible ones. To get the best rates (and to avoid getting caught up in extra fees or fines). It’s generally best to reserve as far in advance as you can, compare prices between companies before booking. And always bring along both your driver’s license and international permit before you leave. Even if renting isn’t possible this time around, don’t let it keep you from experiencing Europe roads (or streets) for yourself. Whether or not you drive them yourself!