“Throw the keys by way of 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 number 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’s worthwhile to know earlier than you settle for the keys.

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

You probably have a U.S. driver’s license, a global 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 larger than a passport — that interprets a U.S. license into 10 languages, when renting a automobile 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 have 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 embrace Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Nationwide, Sixt and others. You possibly can reserve a automobile by way of an organization’s U.S. web site or by way of a rental aggregator resembling Autoeurope.com, to match charges.

The abroad branches of U.S. firms 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 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, based on Hertz and Autoeurope.

Test minimal (and most) age necessities

The minimal age to lease 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 beneath 25. Some nations, resembling France and Germany, permit (however don’t require) firms to lease to 18-year-olds, however 21 is the everyday minimal rental age for many.

On the different finish of the spectrum, Hertz received’t lease a automobile 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 throughout the previous 5 years.

Reduce prices with a stick shift

Automobiles with guide transmissions are nonetheless fashionable in lots of European nations, so when you’re comfy driving one, choose that choice. Renting a automotive with an automated transmission can sometimes price an extra 30 p.c or extra.

Test your bank card’s rental insurance coverage protection

Many U.S.-issued bank cards cowl injury to your worldwide rental automotive when you’re in an accident, so long as you cost the whole 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 automobile 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 automobile, you can be accountable for the price of injury to every other automobile if the accident is deemed to be your fault.

Be warned that customary 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, study each country’s rules, together with the that means of assorted street indicators and markings. As an illustration, merely since you see different autos parked with their wheels on the sidewalk — frequent in European cities with slender 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 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 when you get a ticket, don’t ignore it. The rental company will ultimately gather from you, together with an administrative price.

Seatbelt legal guidelines are sometimes strictly enforced, with a separate advantageous — generally 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 autos. Coming 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 could cause severe — and dear — 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 alternative: inexperienced for gasoline and black for diesel.