Car rental in Europe – Top ten tips for traveling in Europe – Tip n. 5: Restrictions
It is a common assumption for most Americans that they can jump into a rental car and drive where the spirit is willing to go. This makes sense as there are few restrictions in North America regarding international travel. Major auto companies will generally allow you to travel to Canada from the US and vice versa. So it must be fine to travel to your heart’s content in Europe as long as you are connected by road, right? Wrong. Completely wrong. And by totally wrong I mean rotting-in-a-Czech-jail-because-you-tried-to-bring-a-Mercedes-to-the-other-from-the-border. These things happen. Trust me, I know (from a customer experience, not my own thank goodness).
Some restrictions can be lifted with the proper information or documentation. Some restrictions are punishable offenses if you are caught engaging in them. And some restrictions will land you in a Czech jail. The best way to deal with all these restrictions is of course to know them in advance, which is what we will cover in this article.
First, I’ll cover the most common misconception, which is ferry crossings. Most people believe that since there is a place on the ferries for vehicles, the rents are included among those allowed. While it’s true that ferry operators won’t care if your car is a rental, the company you rented it through surely will. So this is a double problem. First of all, let me tell you that I do not in any way condone the carriage of rental cars by ferry, because it is an imposed restriction and also because your rental insurance is voided the moment you put your tires on the deck of that boat. If the ship sinks while your car is in it, guess what? You now own a $ 30,000 metal reef. Hope you brought your scuba gear.
Many people keep renting a ferry simply because they don’t know (if it’s not up to the terms and conditions) or they think they can get away with it. Sometimes it is even allowed in certain island-hopping countries, like New Zealand, where it is expected to go from the north island to the south. There are times when nothing comes out, and there are times when the rental company catches you, like when they have a location at the terminal and they notice that one of their cars is being loaded into a boat (the color of the license plate on a rental is usually different) or in the event that you collide with another car while on the ferry. If this happens, you can bet that your bill at the end of the rental will be much higher than you initially thought.
Therefore, the question of the ferry crossing is more a matter of judgment than anything else. Either you take a chance and avoid having to drive further or rent two vehicles by putting your car on a ferry, or reconsider your current itinerary. Sometimes, especially when traveling to smaller islands, it is better to leave the vehicle in a port office or somewhere nearby, and use public transport when you get there. The cost of placing a vehicle on a ferry alone, along with the cost of the rental, will be significant. Putting yourself at risk for doing so makes the problem double.
The following restriction is more recognizable and easy to understand. Although the former Eastern Bloc countries have only recently started joining the EU, they are still plagued by war-torn areas and high levels of crime. I have been reprimanded on many occasions by many clients from certain Eastern European countries who swear that these nations have a rich culture and a beautiful landscape, and I do not disagree with them. However, it is difficult to shake off political stigma, especially when claims are verified by incidents. Since most travelers visit populated cities, and since these cities are the breeding ground for criminal activity (a good example of this is Prague), rental companies have no choice but to impose these restrictions. The good thing is that sometimes you can pay a fee to enter these countries, but most likely you will receive a “low risk” model, such as an Opel or Skoda. Be sure to mention the rental company if you plan to enter Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, or any country east of these.
The Eastern Bloc is not the only country that has restrictions. Italy, for example, will not allow BMW, Mercedes, Audi, or high-end VW models from outside the country (or they will, but the rental company won’t) and some countries require you to have an international driver’s license to choose from. . get in the car or travel on the roads. The countries where you need an IDL to collect are Austria, Greece, Russia and most of the Eastern Bloc. If you are detained and you do not have an IDL, you will be fined in Spain, Italy and the countries mentioned above (if you enter from outside). Note that while you may not have to provide an IDL in some cases, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get one. They are only $ 15 to $ 20 and you can get them with your original license from AAA (or CAA in Canada). The IDL is just your license reprinted in several different languages.
Age restrictions are more obvious at the lower end (25 and you are fine, in some cases younger, but check with your rental company as it differs by country) and less apparent at the higher end (Ireland has a maximum of 75 years, but some of the rental companies impose it at 70 years or less) so if you are between 25 and 69 you are probably fine. If you are outside of this range, definitely ask your rental company. Some teams charge a fee for a young or older driver. Some age restrictions are stricter when applying for high-end car classes. Some vans with a capacity of more than 9 passengers require that you have a special license.
Of course, each city has its own restrictions (like the congestion zone in London or the pedestrian zones in Rome), so it’s best to brush up on your knowledge of the city before you go. Also, there are city-to-city restrictions for some cars, so if you plan to do a one-way rental, make sure the vehicle you have is allowed. Again, always tell the rental company which countries you plan to visit. In conclusion, the more we know about what we cannot do, the more it enables us to do what we can do.
