Renting a car seems like a simple enough process. You shop around and find the best deal, book it and pick it up. When you are renting a vehicle internationally, however, there are some additional things that you must be aware of.

The first thing that you should know about renting a car internationally is that, in most cases, you will need to obtain an international driving permit. Some countries that you visit will be fine with your renting the car with a license from the United States, others will not and require this permit and you drivers license is all that you will be required to show. Not only will you be required to obtain an international driving permit, you will also be required to show your license along with the permit in order to pick up your rental. The international driving permit needs to be obtained before you leave your country, therefore you need to look into whether or not this permit is require for your rental several weeks before you are scheduled to travel to your destination.

Once you find out about whether or not you are required to obtain an international driving permit, you should then ask if you will also need to provide an international insurance card. Be sure to ask this during the same conversation as the international driving permit, since this document also needs to be obtained in your home country and needs several weeks notice to obtain. Many insurance companies are located regionally, therefore being covered under your current insurance plan is usually not a problem.

Internationally there are many companies that will probably be familiar to you and it is advisable to use a company that is known to you when leasing internationally. It is also important to book any extras you will need in advance with your rental company. Whether you will need a child safety seat, ski carrier or a GPS you should reserve these items in advance. Don’t assume that they will be available when you arrive. And whenever possible do pay the extra amount and lease a GPS with your international rental. Since you will be traveling around a region that is unfamiliar to you, it will be handy to help direct you not only to tourist attractions and to your accommodations, but will also help you locate emergency services in the area you will be visiting.

As long as you inquire about, and obtain, all the required documents for your international car rental everything should go fairly smooth. Just make sure to have all you need and reserve your rental, along with your additional services, well in advance. If you follow the advance that was given in this article you should be smooth sailing from the time you pick up your rental to the time that it has to be returned. Happy Travels and Drive Safe!

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