There’s more to car rentals in Alicante, Spain, or anywhere else abroad than minding that you should drive on the other side of the road. Read more about driving on the left on this page here. You need to purchase liability insurance even if your credit card has got you the coverage that you already need. There are international driving permits you need to present. It can become complex to do rentals abroad than at home, but it becomes easier over time when you know how things go.
Some of the car rental tips can help you get excellent deals that you can use and ensure that you’re safe while you’re traveling abroad.
Tips to Help You Out
Book the Car in Advance
When it comes to car rental companies, the earlier you book, the better. When you’re in front of the counter, the rates are often higher than when you arrange everything online or call over the phone. Even if it’s just less than 24 hours before you need to pick up the vehicle, it’s best if you can still check leiebil Alicante for the latest rates available. Some of the sites can give you discounts during off-peak hours, so be sure to watch out for them.
Know the sites of agencies that are near the airports but not in the airport itself. See if you can book a vehicle that you’re comfortable driving and ensure that they are available on your travel date.
Whenever possible, ensure that all car rental arrangements from payment to the booking are already prepared before boarding the plane. Doing things this way where you are just going to the arranged pick-up location and have settled everything will be less stressful overall. Some of the advantages include it’s cheaper, safer, and more manageable once you arrive in Alicante. In other cases, language barriers and exchange rates can interfere with the transaction, and there may be hidden charges you need to pay upon arrival.
Some of the things you need to ask before you drive away include fuel charges, late fees, and weekend specials. Some discounts are not advertised, and hidden costs may not have been explained to you, and your credit card was already charged when you discovered them, so be sure to ask.
It’s best to expect an exact time for drop-off since many agencies will charge you after 24 hours. They can also bill you for a whole day if you were an hour late after the beginning of another 24 hours. Drivers who are over the age of 70 or under 25 may not be allowed to rent or face surcharges in the process.
International Driving Permits
If you’re going to another country where the primary language is English, your Canadian or American Driver’s license will do just fine. However, there are policies in Europe where you may have to obtain an International Driving Permit that’s basically just a piece of document translating your information into ten different languages, and more than a hundred countries recognize them.
Renting a car abroad means that this is something that you can present along with your country’s driver’s license. It would be best if you were at least 18 years old when you need an IDP. Many websites may provide IDP services, but it’s best if you go to the American Automobile Touring Alliance or Canadian Automobile Association when you want to have genuine IDPs.
Get a valid IDP before your tour in Alicante, as this is usually issued in your home. This is not a license in itself but merely a kind of translation of your country of residence. This helps when police enforcement may stop you while on the road, and your license and the IDP are the two driving documents you’ll have. Citation or infraction issued abroad will reflect in your home country, so always know and follow all the local rules in Spain!
Things to Know Before Going
Ensure that you’ll have a realistic view of the fuel expenses you’ll need to pay when visiting Spain. In general, drivers pay more in other nations than they do in the US, so you should leave plenty of room in your budget for gas expenditures. Read more about returning the car with fuel here: https://www.quora.com/Do-you-have-to-return-a-leased-car-with-a-full-tank-of-gas.
You need to be familiar with the local rules on the road before you actually drive a vehicle. You need to study some of the details, like the side of the road where you should drive on and purchase insurance from the rental company before going. Ensure that the current insurance coverage that you have meets the foreign country’s requirements where you’re going.
Don’t forget one of the oldest and most practical navigation tools you may have: a map. Many people may rely on their smartphones or GPS when navigating, but this can make your mobile bills blow out of proportion. The coverage in many states can be spotty in remote areas in the world, and it’s recommended to have the paper version of the map for backup.
Do In-Depth Research
You may have chosen where you’re going and even checked the available hotels and flights in Alicante. If this is the case, this may be the right time to explore whether you are allowed to travel where you’re going. The larger enterprises can have branches in Alicante where you can drop off the car so that you won’t be overcharged.
Some of the rules and regulations of eligibility may change, so be sure to call beforehand. Factors like the types of license, age, and the company can impact your overall experience and eligibility. Others may charge you extra fees, and you may need to purchase insurance when you’re older. Cover all the bases before booking and get a guide whenever it’s necessary to get started.
Driving Safely
Before you hit the road, ensure that you’ve checked a few things first. You need to fuel up and leave with full tanks. This way, you won’t waste time and money with refills. Always return the vehicle with a full tank as well to avoid fines.
Always check under the car’s hood. Ensure that the windshield wiper and oil are at a reasonable level. This way, you won’t have to fill either of them in the middle of your trip.
Check for tires and ensure that they are not flat. It’s best if you have some knowledge about changing tires but having just the appropriate pressure can make you go the distance. Look for damages so you won’t be liable for those that other drivers made. Another thing is to arrange your paperwork and organize them accordingly so you can pull it out when the police stop you.
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