“Throw the keys by the kiosk’s open window. We’ll get the automotive once we open later”: These barely unorthodox drop-off directions I as soon as obtained from a Hertz supervisor in Croatia illustrate a few of the variations U.S. vacationers may encounter when renting a automotive overseas.

It pays to familiarize your self with the native insurance policies and protocols forward of time. Right here’s what it is advisable to know earlier than you settle for the keys.

You might want a world driver’s license

If in case you have a U.S. driver’s license, a world driving allow is formally required (alongside together with your state-issued license) in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Thailand, though its use just isn’t universally enforced. It’s additionally a good suggestion to hold an I.D.P., a booklet — barely greater than a passport — that interprets a U.S. license into 10 languages, when renting a car in a rustic whose language just isn’t written in Roman letters.

An I.D.P. prices $20, is legitimate for one yr and is issued to any applicant by a neighborhood AAA workplace (the one issuer in america approved by the State Division). You should apply for one within the nation that issued your common driver’s license.

Acquainted manufacturers could also be franchisees

Automotive rental manufacturers acquainted to Individuals function all through the world; these embrace Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Nationwide, Sixt and others. You may reserve a car by an organization’s U.S. web site or by a rental aggregator similar to Autoeurope.com, to match charges.

The abroad branches of U.S. corporations could not at all times be owned by the dad or mum firm. The dialogue boards on web sites like Tripadvisor abound with commenters calling out franchise operations of main chains for not offering the service they count on from a U.S. operation.

Franchise or not, disputes with a international department ought to at all times be directed to the U.S. customer support operation, in keeping with Hertz and Autoeurope.

Verify minimal (and most) age necessities

The minimal age to hire a automotive varies by country and firm, and it’s indicated on every rental company’s web site. Most nations cost a “younger driver” surcharge for renters underneath 25. Some nations, similar to France and Germany, permit (however don’t require) corporations to hire to 18-year-olds, however 21 is the everyday minimal rental age for many.

On the different finish of the spectrum, Hertz gained’t hire a car in Northern Eire to anybody older than 79; these from 75 to 79 should have a physician’s letter stating that they’re in good well being, in addition to a letter from their insurance coverage firm proving that they haven’t had an accident inside the previous 5 years.

Minimize prices with a stick shift

Vehicles with handbook transmissions are nonetheless widespread in lots of European nations, so for those who’re snug driving one, choose that possibility. Renting a automotive with an automated transmission can usually value a further 30 p.c or extra.

Verify your bank card’s rental insurance coverage protection

Many U.S.-issued bank cards cowl harm to your worldwide rental automotive for those who’re in an accident, so long as you cost your complete rental price to the cardboard. Some issuers additionally require that the identical card be used to make the reservation for the insurance coverage to be legitimate. That collision protection is main, in contrast to in america, the place your private car insurance coverage would cowl the prices whereas your rental insurance coverage would pay for any deductible quantity. Even when your bank card covers harm to your rental car, you’ll be accountable for the price of harm to every other car if the accident is deemed to be your fault.

Be warned that commonplace rental insurance coverage for American Categorical cardholders just isn’t out there in Australia, Italy and New Zealand, and different playing cards could have totally different restrictions.

Familiarize your self with native driving and parking legal guidelines

Earlier than you go, be taught each country’s rules, together with the that means of varied highway indicators and markings. For example, merely since you see different automobiles parked with their wheels on the sidewalk — widespread in European cities with slim streets — that doesn’t imply that it’s authorized to take action.

Autoeurope.com has driving ideas for dozens of nations, not all in Europe, and Britain’s Car Affiliation lists highway guidelines for six European nations. Don’t neglect that many locations moreover Britain drive on the left (together with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and quite a few Caribbean islands). And for those who get a ticket, don’t ignore it. The rental company will finally acquire from you, together with an administrative price.

Seatbelt legal guidelines are sometimes strictly enforced, with a separate effective — typically issued on the spot — for every occupant not carrying one.

Lastly, many European cities restrict driving in central or historic areas to residents solely or these driving low-emission automobiles. Getting into these limited-traffic zone areas can incur heavy fines, plus an added price out of your rental firm. Look ahead to indicators and gates (generally marked “ZTL” in Italy).

Know your fuels

Diesel engines are quite common in different nations; placing diesel in a gasoline engine or vice versa may cause critical — and expensive — damage.

Whereas gasoline pumps are color-coded to point what they dispense, these colours range by nation and area. Gas necessities are listed on a sticker on the within of the filler door.

In america, black signifies gasoline whereas inexperienced designates diesel. In Iceland and different European nations, it’s the other: inexperienced for gasoline and black for diesel.