How do I hire a car abroad?

Key takeaways

• Be sure to check which driving documents you need before travelling, including whether your destination requires an International Driving Permit

• Basic cover is often included with a hire car, but you could still be responsible for a large excess and some types of damage

• Look at what your rental includes, what is excluded and how much you could have to pay before deciding whether you need extra cover

Can I hire a car abroad?

Yes, you can usually hire a car abroad with a valid UK driving licence, although rental companies can set their own age, licence and payment requirements. The exact documents depend on where you're hiring and the rental company, but you should take your driving licence and passport and confirm whether you need an IDP before travelling.

A hire company may also ask you to share your UK driving record using a DVLA check code. Some also set minimum ages or charge extra for younger drivers, so have a look at your chosen hire company's terms and conditions before booking your vehicle.

What documents do I need to hire a car abroad?

You will likely need the following:

• Your valid UK driving licence

• Your passport or another accepted form of photo ID

• A DVLA check code if the rental company asks to see your driving record

• An International Driving Permit (IDP) for some destinations

• A credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit

If you're taking a vehicle that you've hired or leased in the UK into another country, you may also need a VE103 certificate showing you have permission to take it abroad.

Do I need an International Driving Permit to hire a car abroad?

It depends on your licence and destination - if you have a UK-issued photocard driving licence, you won't normally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Other countries may require one, while you may also need an IDP in some European countries if you have an older paper licence or certain licences issued outside Great Britain. An IDP currently costs £5.50 and can be bought in person from participating shops with PayPoint.

What insurance is included with my hire car abroad?

Basic car insurance is commonly included in the rental price you're quoted, particularly when hiring in Europe, but it doesn't necessarily mean you're covered for every cost.

European rentals commonly include third-party liability insurance, Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection. CDW and theft protection usually reduce how much you can be charged rather than removing your liability completely, so an excess can still apply.

What isn't usually covered by basic car hire insurance?

The cover you get as standard from your car hire provider can exclude certain parts of the vehicle and types of damage. Depending on the hire company, exclusions can include:

• Windscreens, windows and other glass

• Tyres and wheels

• The roof

• The underside of the vehicle

• Lost or damaged keys

• Misfuelling

• Interior damage

• Breakdowns caused by driver error

• Damage caused while driving off-road

• Unauthorised drivers

• Damage that happens while breaking the rental agreement

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association highlights windscreens, tyres, roof and underbody damage as areas that may be excluded from standard waivers. Some rental companies sell higher protection packages that add cover for glass, lights and tyres.

What is the excess on a hire car?

The excess is the amount you could still have to pay if the hire car is damaged or stolen, even when you have basic cover in place. For example, if your rental has a £1,200 damage excess and you cause £2,000 of damage covered by the Collision Damage Waiver, you could still be charged up to £1,200, depending on the rental terms.

The rental company will also often put a security deposit or pre-authorisation on the main driver's credit card. This helps cover the amount you could owe if the vehicle is damaged, stolen or returned with other charges outstanding.

Make sure you look for both the damage excess and theft excess, as they may not always be the same.

Do I need extra insurance when hiring a car abroad?

Not necessarily - it's up to you to decide whether you're happy with the excess and exclusions that come with the rental, or if you want extra protection. You can:

1. Keep the basic protection and accept that you may need to pay the excess if something happens

2. Buy extra protection from the hire company, which can reduce or sometimes remove the excess

3. Buy standalone car hire excess insurance, which can pay out for certain costs after you pay the rental company

What suits you will depend on the excess and exclusions that come as standard, as well as the price of extra cover and how much you could comfortably pay if the car were damaged or stolen.

Hire-company cover or standalone excess insurance

A third-party car hire excess policy has no connection to the hire company and won't remove the excess from your rental agreement. If the car is damaged or stolen, you may still need to pay the rental company and then claim the amount back from your insurer.

Is car hire insurance different outside Europe?

Yes, it can be, so don't assume that a rental in the USA, Canada or another destination includes the same protection as a European booking. Collision or Loss Damage Waiver is commonly included with European car hire, but the requirements and protection included in the rental price can differ elsewhere - before you pay for cover, be sure to check:

• Third-party liability cover

• CDW or LDW

• Theft protection

• The excess

• Any excluded damage

• Whether your protection covers every country you plan to drive in

Will my travel insurance cover my hire car?

Standard travel insurance does not normally replace the insurance or protection required for the hire vehicle. However, some travel insurance policies offer car hire excess cover as an optional extra, which can cover your excess if your rental vehicle is damaged or stolen.

Travel insurance may separately cover you for things such as medical emergencies, cancellation or lost belongings, depending on your policy - check your travel insurance rather than assuming car hire excess is automatically included.

How do car hire fuel policies work?

Your hire car's fuel policy tells you how much fuel should be in the car when you collect and return it, and common options usually include:

• Full-to-full: You collect the car with a full tank and return it full - this usually makes your fuel costs easier to control because you pay only for the fuel you use

• Pre-purchase or full-to-empty: You pay for a tank of fuel when hiring the car and can return it with less fuel, but you may not be refunded for fuel you leave in the tank

Check for refuelling charges too, as returning a full-to-full car without filling the tank can result in both the cost of the missing fuel and an additional service charge.

How should I pay for car hire abroad?

When you're hiring a car abroad, you'll often find that a credit card in the main driver's name is required because the rental company might need to place a security deposit or pre-authorisation on it. Check your car hire company's payment rules before travelling because some companies accept debit cards while others do not.

Paying for your car hire directly by credit card could also give you protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if the car hire company breaches its contract or misrepresents what you bought. However, you should remember that Section 75 is not a replacement for car hire insurance.

If you have the option, paying in the local currency can also help you avoid the rental company applying its own currency conversion rate.

What should I check when collecting and returning my hire car?

Inspecting the car and keeping evidence of its condition can help if there is later a dispute about damage. When you collect the car, make sure you do the following:

• Photograph or video every side of the vehicle before driving away

• Check that existing scratches, dents and other damage are recorded on the rental agreement

• Inspect the windscreen, wheels and tyres as well as the bodywork

• Confirm the fuel level and mileage

• Check the excess and security deposit

• Make sure every driver is named on the agreement

• Check any restrictions on mileage or taking the car into another country

• Save the rental company's accident and breakdown contact details

When you return the car, again be sure to:

• Return it with the agreed amount of fuel

• Photograph or video the vehicle again

• Keep your fuel receipt if the agreement is full-to-full

• Get written confirmation of the vehicle's condition where possible

• Keep your rental documents

• Check your card statement for any later charges

If the rental company says you've damaged the vehicle, ask for evidence of the damage and an itemised explanation of any charge.

Frequently asked questions