This realistic collection of travel tips helps you book your next rental car abroad.

Many historic and natural sights abroad are in very remote areas. A car is often the easiest and sometimes the only way to reach them.

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A road trips on scenic highways is also a wonderful way to make your journey more enjoyable. That is why renting a car with confidence is a critical skill to master.

But renting a car outside of your home country could bring you a lot of stress. You have to deal with a lot at once.

• There is a language barrier in many places you could rent a car from.
• Countries have different requirements on the car condition and insurance.
• Some providers abroad have dishonest business practices.
• Add a jet lag to the mix and you are in for a stressful car pickup experience.

This collection of travel tips covers the major considerations of renting a car abroad. Follow these tips to rent your next car abroad in a confident and cost efficient manner.

Decide on Manual or Automatic

Transmission is a very important factor when booking a car rental abroad. There are two main types of transmission, manual and automatic.

You would have to look very hard to rent a manual car in the United States. Almost all providers in the USA rent automatic cars by default.

Pros and Cons of Manual Cars

But things are quite different when you go abroad. The car rental fleet in many popular destinations around the world has mostly cars with manual transmission.

There are a few reasons for it.

• Manual cars are a bit cheaper to buy.
• These cars are more fuel-efficient.
• It also helps that locals in these destinations know how to drive such cars.

You will find yourself in a tough spot if you have never driven “stick”. It is a skill that requires some practice. You need to start a car using a clutch and shift gears while driving.

It could be a benefit or a hassle depending on your preferences.

How to Rent Automatic Car Abroad

There is usually a way if you do not feel comfortable learning this skill on a vacation. You could rent an automatic car in most locations. But you will pay a premium for such a rental.

You will also be in a higher risk territory since locals rarely rent these cars. Shady rental businesses would try even harder to make you accept extra fees and unnecessary services.

But there are times when this extra cost and hassle could be worth it. An automatic car could spare you from a lot of troubles.

• You would not need to start a car at an uphill intersection in Peru.
• You can relax while taking winding roads in Norway.
• And you can avoid shifting gears with your left hand in Ireland.

To book an automatic car, apply the right filters. Also, check the description and car codes to ensure you booked automatic.

Let’s Talk About Car Insurance

Insurance is a critical consideration when renting a car both domestically and abroad. You probably heard the terms Collision Damage Waiver or CDW and Liability Insurance.

You have an option to decline this coverage when you rent a car in the United States. Your car insurance could often cover you.

But things are more complicated when you rent a car abroad.

• Some countries, like Chile, include a CDW in all car rentals to non residents by default.
• Other countries allow you to decline a CDW and additional coverage.

The issue is that your car insurance will not cover you abroad. You need to make arrangements before your trip to avoid costly surprises.

Primary vs Secondary Coverage

Most car rentals at home and abroad require a credit card. Still, it is important to pick the right credit card.

You would want a credit card that provides primary car rental insurance. It means that the credit card insurance will pay before any other insurance you have. This benefit is also handy when you rent domestically.

A lot of travel credit cards advertise a collision damage waiver and car rental insurance. But many of them work as a secondary insurance.

These cards offer you an inferior coverage. Such insurance only covers claims that your primary insurance fails to pay. It is better than not having any coverage.

But it will take a lot longer to resolve any claim. There is an easy explanation for this. Every claim has to go through two insurance providers.

Additional Coverage

Every single car rental company will try to sell you additional coverage. It is one of their most important upsells. Additional coverage is part of the script wherever you pick up a car.

You can decline this offer if you already have coverage through your credit card. But some dishonest car rental providers do not take no for an answer.

They could tell you that your credit card coverage is invalid in their country. Or they could demand a written proof of coverage.

It is best to get a letter from your bank or credit card institution in advance. This letter should state that the coverage is valid in the country of the rental.

It is a hassle to get this letter. It could take a couple of tries to reach the right person through the support email or chat.

But this effort will pay off. This letter will often save you a lot of hassle when picking up a rental car abroad.

Note the Car’s Condition

The next few tips refer to picking up the car abroad. You have made it past the rental counter without committing to any of the additional services. Still, it is too early to let the guard down.

You now need to find any missing items, scratches, and imperfections in the car. You also have to document them all in the car rental agreement. This is the only way to release yourself from liability.

Some shady providers will charge you for these pre-existing issues if you fail to document them. But you would not know about it until you return the car.

It is also best to take a 360-degree video of the car. Do it in the provider’s parking lot when you rent and return the car. This way, you will have two video proofs of the car’s condition. The videos will help you back up your claims.

As a rule of thumb, do not accept a car that has missing or malfunctioning elements. Request a different car if the first car is missing any items.

What Items Should Every Rental Car Have?

Check for the following items:

• Working head and tail lights
• Spare wheel
• Jack
• First aid kit
• Correct number of license plates

Two is the right number of license plates in most states and countries. The “Rugged Nineteen” US states, like Florida, Georgia, and Michigan, are a notable exception. These states only require one license plate.

You need two license plates when driving in Mexico. This is key if you plan on visiting a few Mexican states.

If a front license plate is missing, Police and Army will stop you at almost every checkpoint. These are common in cities and near Mexican state lines.

If your car rental provider does not have a different car, get ready to practice Spanish with native speakers. Translate and print your itinerary and an explanation. This will greatly enhance your checkpoint experience.

Driving Regulations

Make sure you understand the driving regulations of the country where you plan on renting and driving a car. This is a time well spent. This knowledge could save you a lot of money and trouble during the trip.

Obey the Speed Limit

Almost every country has speed limits. A few Autobahns in Germany are the only exception. Everywhere else you have to drive below the posted limit.

Countries differ in how rigorously they enforce the speed limit. You are looking at a fine for going a few miles (kilometers) per hour faster than the limit.

But some countries have more stringent laws. European countries have lower speed limits than the US.

• Speed limits on highways there do not exceed 55 mph (90 kmh).
• Speed limits within the city limits are much lower at 18 mph (30 kmh).

Enforcement is very rigorous, too. You will lose more than just a few minutes if you are caught speeding in Europe.

• Fines in Finland could be as high as $110,000 (€100,000).
• The car will be taken from you on the spot.
• And your license could be revoked.

Driving over the limit is not worth these consequences. Do not spoil your vacation by reckless driving. Obey the rules and stay below the limit.

Get an International Driving Permit

It is sometimes not enough to show your driver license to get a rental car abroad. Some countries also require an international driving permit.

This is a key requirement if you driver license is in non Latin alphabet. Many providers could simply refuse to rent you a car. You could find yourself needing to rearrange your trip on the go if that happens.

An International Driving Permit looks like a small notebook. It has your photograph, a seal, and a few identical fields. Each field has the same information in different languages.

It is quite easy to get an International Driving Permit in the United States. But it takes some time and preparation. You need to fill out an application and get two passport photos.

With these items in hand, head to the nearest AAA office. You would need to pay a $20 fee. An AAA clerk will fill out the permit. They will hand the permit to you on the spot.

You can mail your application and fee if there are no AAA offices nearby. In this case, you would also need to pay the shipping fees.

The International Driving Permit from AAA is valid for one year. You can choose the start date of the validity period. This way, you can apply for the permit well in advance of your trip abroad.

When to Skip A Car Rental

There are times and places when you should avoid renting a car all together. In fact, this decision will be in your best interest.

The road infrastructure and traffic conditions in certain locations are not welcoming to cars. Driving a car will be a real challenge on the narrow streets in Hanoi, Vietnam. A scooter is a main transport in that city.

You would also want to skip renting a car if there are no reputable rental providers at your destination. Renting from a company you have never heard of could mean higher fees. You also have a greater risk of a negative experience.

Even big name locations could give you subpar treatment. Check online reviews on Google Maps to get a better idea.

Some destinations might have problems with corruption. An international tourist is a lucrative target to corrupted road officials.

A few countries in Europe have robust public transport systems. It is often cheaper to take a train or subway in these locations. This is true once you factor expensive parking fees and high gas prices.

City trips are the best example of at time to skip renting a car.

Takeaways: Getting a Rental Car Abroad

Booking a car rental abroad could be a stressful experience. But you can reduce your chances of a negative experience at a rental counter. You just need to follow a few simple tips.

• Book a car with the right transmission type.
• Pay extra for automatic to avoid learning a new skill on the go.
• Select a Collision Damage Waiver or decline insurance.
• In the latter case, bring a letter from your bank. It should validate coverage in a given country.
• Check that the car has all elements in place.
• Take videos and pictures of the car.
• Be respectful to the rules and regulations to avoid delays.
• Decide if a car rental is the most efficient way of getting to the sights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!