Car rental: what to check before you pick up the keys

• Licence: confirm with official sources whether your licence is accepted in the country, or whether an international driving permit is also needed.
• Age: minimum and young-driver conditions vary by company and country; the second driver may have to be named and pay a fee.
• Payment: many companies place a deposit on a credit card in the main driver’s name; a debit card is often not accepted for the deposit.

• Insurance excess: the amount you pay for damage even with basic cover, and whether there is a separate cover to reduce it.
• Fuel: full-to-full is the common fair arrangement; prepaid tanks and refuelling charges are less so.
• Mileage: unlimited or capped, and the charge per extra kilometre.
• Cross-border: leaving the country may need permission or an extra fee, and some routes are excluded.
• Transmission: check the gearbox type you booked — manual cars are common in many countries.
• Traffic side: the United Kingdom and Ireland drive on the left.

Tolls and vignettes are the traveller’s cost and responsibility; ask whether the car already has a valid vignette or an electronic toll device, and who pays for tolls you run through.

Your Europe states that a licence issued in an EU country can be used anywhere in the EU, that a licence which expires during a trip abroad automatically becomes invalid, and that you cannot drive abroad on a provisional licence or certificate. GOV.UK says you might need an international driving permit to drive in some countries, and might need one for each country you visit; check the country page before you go.

There are no specific EU rules on car hire, but you keep your basic consumer rights. Every rental vehicle must be covered by third-party liability insurance valid in all EU countries, and EU rules ban discrimination on the grounds of nationality or country of residence. The size of the insurance excess depends on the country and on the rental company, and drivers below or above a certain age sometimes pay a surcharge.

The European Consumer Centres’ advice is to check the car for damage before signing and accepting it, to rent with a full tank and return it full, and to pay attention to the excess, insurance, deposit, charges and the rules on mileage and fuel. A business may not retain some or all of your deposit unless there is a good reason.

• Trips with children: book child seats in advance; the road-safety rules for child restraints are in the guide on travelling with children.
• Large luggage, bicycles or a pet: check that the car fits them and that the contract allows them; the rules for carrying them on public transport are in the luggage and pets guides.
• Disputes: complain to the company first, in writing, and keep the contract and the photographs. If it is a company in another EU country, a European Consumer Centre can help.

1. 1Walk round the car with the agent and photograph every scratch, dent and the fuel gauge; make sure they are all written on the form.
2. 2Check the spare wheel or repair kit, the child seats you booked and the documents in the glovebox.
3. 3Return during staffed hours if you can; photograph the car and fuel gauge at return and keep the receipt.