subject: Helpful Hints When Renting A Car [print this page] The most important thing to know and remember about your driving license is to take it with you! You'd be surprised how many people forget. Second, it must be the original, not a photocopy! Again, you'd be surprised how many people think a photocopy is okay. Most car rental companies specify that you must have held your full license for at least one year, but some do require two years. Check with your broker or rental company to be sure.
In many countries, and with many rental car suppliers, endorsements are not a problem unless they are for drink or drug offenses. But, as with everything else, you should check with the company if you have any and in general it's better to notify them regardless of whether they ask you to because that way nobody will be taken by surprise and unfortunate fees or cancellations incurred.
Most car rental companies in where the native language is in Roman script (English, French, Italian, Spanish, etcetera) require that your license has a translation on it or is accompanied by an international driving license. So, as an example if your license is in Cyrillic (Russian), or Chinese, or any other script, then you should check for requirements prior to booking your rental car. But, on the other hand, it is not common for a rental car to accept only an international driving license. It must be accompanied by a full national driving license.
If you're renting a car and you want an extra driver find a company that will not charge for the extra driver. There is a minimum age for drivers. Drivers have to be at least 21 years old, if under 25 they can still drive but they will have to pay a surcharge, which is paid locally when picking up the vehicle.
When preparing to rent a car, anybody who's planning to drive should make a checklist of mandatory items they will most likely need to supply the car rental company. First, and foremost would be your original driving license, and you most likely will had to have held it for at least one year. The credit card used in the reservations will need to be in the name of the lead driver. Double check age restrictions and any extra fees that will be charged related to the age of all the drivers on your policy. And make sure you fully understand all charges, if any, for secondary drivers.
When you take the time to plan ahead, you are eliminating potential problems and ensuring that your holiday will be spared from sinking into a pothole and remain a smooth ride from beginning to end.
