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

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

It’s possible you’ll want a world driver’s license

When you have a U.S. driver’s license, a world driving allow is formally required (alongside along 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 will not be 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 will not be written in Roman letters.

An I.D.P. prices $20, is legitimate for one 12 months and is issued to any applicant by a neighborhood AAA workplace (the one issuer in america licensed by the State Division). You need to apply for one within the nation that issued your common driver’s license.

Acquainted manufacturers could also be franchisees

Automobile rental manufacturers acquainted to Individuals function all through the world; these embody Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Nationwide, Sixt and others. You’ll be able to reserve a car by means of an organization’s U.S. web site or by means of a rental aggregator corresponding to Autoeurope.com, to check charges.

The abroad branches of U.S. firms could not at all times be owned by the mum or dad 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 anticipate from a U.S. operation.

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

Examine minimal (and most) age necessities

The minimal age to hire a automobile 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, corresponding to France and Germany, enable (however don’t require) firms 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 will need to have a health care provider’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.

Reduce prices with a stick shift

Automobiles with guide transmissions are nonetheless standard in lots of European nations, so in case you’re comfy driving one, choose that possibility. Renting a automobile with an automated transmission can usually price a further 30 % or extra.

Examine your bank card’s rental insurance coverage protection

Many U.S.-issued bank cards cowl injury to your worldwide rental automobile in case you’re in an accident, so long as you cost all the rental charge 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 major, not like 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 injury to your rental car, you can be chargeable for the price of injury to another car if the accident is deemed to be your fault.

Be warned that commonplace rental insurance coverage for American Categorical cardholders will not be obtainable in Australia, Italy and New Zealand, and different playing cards could have completely different restrictions.

Familiarize your self with native driving and parking legal guidelines

Earlier than you go, study each country’s rules, together with the that means of varied street indicators and markings. As an illustration, merely since you see different autos 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 Vehicle Affiliation lists street guidelines for six European nations. Don’t overlook that many locations in addition to Britain drive on the left (together with Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and quite a few Caribbean islands). And in case you get a ticket, don’t ignore it. The rental company will finally gather from you, together with an administrative charge.

Seatbelt legal guidelines are sometimes strictly enforced, with a separate positive — generally issued on the spot — for every occupant not sporting one.

Lastly, many European cities restrict driving in central or historic areas to residents solely or these driving low-emission autos. Getting into these limited-traffic zone areas can incur heavy fines, plus an added charge 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 could cause severe — and dear — damage.

Whereas gasoline pumps are color-coded to point what they dispense, these colours fluctuate 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.