What should you do while picking-up your rental car.
To help your rental go as smoothly as possible, we wanted to share a few useful tips. By following these simple steps, you can easily avoid potential issues.
Before picking up your car…
-Make sure you have your Booking Confirmation Form with you. You will need to present this document to collect your vehicle.
-When you arrive to collect the car, certain documents must be completed and legal procedures carried out. Because of this, you may have to wait a few minutes for these steps to be processed beforehand. To speed up collection, you can upload copies of documents such as your ID and driving licence to your account during booking, allowing your rental agreement to be prepared in advance with your correct details.
-Make sure any damage, scratches, dents, and missing items you spot are officially recorded on the vehicle handover form. Also, take photos of the inside and outside of the car from various angles, including the fuel and mileage gauges. These photos will help resolve any disputes when you return the vehicle.
-For airport rentals, don't forget to provide your flight details during booking. This ensures the car is held for you in case of a delay, preventing your reservation from being cancelled as a "no show". -Keep the addresses and phone numbers of the pick-up and drop-off rental offices with you.
-Before driving off, make sure the car matches the features you requested. For example, it is worth double-checking the engine type (such as diesel or petrol), which might not be obvious at first glance.
After picking up your car…
-Take the time to adjust the interior and wing mirrors, and familiarise yourself with where and how the functions you will need during your journey are operated.
-For your safety, always fasten your seatbelt before setting off.
-Be sure to check the tyre pressures and make sure they match the manufacturer's standards for your load weight.
-The features and driving dynamics of your rental car might differ from what you are used to. Keep this in mind while driving.
-When refuelling, make sure you use the correct fuel type and standard for the vehicle's engine. Using the wrong fuel can leave you stranded, and any resulting breakdowns or damage will be treated as driver error and won't be covered by insurance.
-Make sure you keep the car key in a safe place. Thefts involving the key are not covered by insurance.
When returning your car…
-Just like when you picked it up, remember to allow a few minutes for the necessary paperwork to be completed and for a member of staff to inspect the vehicle.
-If the fuel level is lower than when you collected it, top it up before returning the car. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the missing fuel plus an extra service charge.
-Don't forget to return any extra equipment and accessories provided with the vehicle.
-If you are dropping the car off at the airport before a flight, you can save time by dropping off your passengers and luggage at the departures entrance first.
-Check that the handover inspection form has been filled out completely. If there is no visible damage or missing items caused during your use, make sure the form reflects this.