subject: International Car Hire-what Everyone Needs To Know [print this page] Local or national car renting and leasing rules are pretty much the same until you cross international borders. Everything is likely to change including the rules that govern every vehicle that is rented or leased. Knowing what to expect will help make this experience the best it can be, without many surprises.
When you are looking at renting a vehicle in a country that you are unfamiliar with it is important to realize that every country has its own rules and laws about driving and car rental. One of the biggest issues that international travelers are not aware of is the cap on the maximum age to rent a vehicle. In the U.S. there is little problem for those who are older and looking to rent a vehicle, however, when traveling abroad these individuals may hit a road block.
If you understand how laws are governed, you should know that the rules you are being ask to obey are not rules imposed by the rental companies, but rather by the country or region they are located in. Many regions and countries outside the borders of the United States do not allow its citizens, after they have reached a pre-determined age to acquire a drivers licenses. You will be expected to follow these same rules and laws while you are in this location, regardless of your nationality. For those who think that simply changing rental companies will allow them to sidestep these laws, will quickly learn the laws are enforced by local government, not the rental companies.
Before you ever land in the country of your destination, it is very important to have all your paperwork in order including all the necessary documents or documentation packed and ready to go so there will be surprises when you arrive at the rental office to check in. More often than not you will need to have your regular driver's permit, a IDP, a major credit card, your passport and some proof of insurance. This can become a real issue if you haven't done a little home work in your home country before you leave. You can obtain all the necessary forms in your own country and have them filled out and ready to hand in, in addition to calling ahead to make sure you have everything that will be required and that nothing as far as the requirements have changed recently.
Travel abroad can be a wonderful experience for everyone. Making sure that you have everything in place that you will need to pick up your rental vehicle can make your holiday blissful.
