Picking up a rental car can feel stressful – especially if you're inexperienced. But with the right preparation, it goes quickly and smoothly. In this guide, you'll get a complete checklist for everything you need to bring, how to inspect the car, and what to think about before driving off.
📖 Contents
1. What you must bring
Before heading to the rental location, make sure you have the following:
📋 Required documents
- ☐ Valid driving license – Must be the original, not a copy. Should have been valid for at least 1 year.
- ☐ Credit or debit card – In the driver's name. Visa or Mastercard recommended.
- ☐ Booking confirmation/voucher – Printed or on your phone.
- ☐ Passport or ID card – Often required abroad, sometimes domestically too.
📋 When traveling abroad (outside EU)
- ☐ International driving permit – Required in certain countries (USA, Thailand, Japan, etc.)
- ☐ Passport – Always as ID outside the EU
💡 Tip
Take photos of all documents and save them in the cloud – then you have a backup if something goes missing.
2. At the rental counter
When you arrive at the rental location, several things happen. Here's what you can expect:
1 Queue and register
At popular destinations, there may be a queue. Be patient and prepare your documents while waiting. Some companies have self-service kiosks for faster service.
2 Show your documents
Staff will check your driving license, ID, and credit card. They will also reserve the deposit on your card (typically €300–€1,500 depending on the car).
3 Offers for add-ons
Here staff often try to sell extra insurance, GPS, child seats, and fuel packages. If you already have Full Coverage through your booking – decline extra insurance.
4 Sign the contract
Read through the contract before signing. Check especially: rental period, fuel policy, mileage, and any restrictions.
⚠️ Common trap
Staff may say that "your insurance doesn't apply here" – that's not true. Full Coverage through us applies regardless of what they say. Stand your ground!
3. Inspect the car thoroughly
This is the most important step! A thorough inspection protects you from being charged for damage you didn't cause.
Body
Scratches, dents, peeling paint
Tires & wheels
Tread depth, damage, air pressure
Glass
Cracks, stone chips in windshield
Lights
High beam, low beam, turn signals, rear lights
Interior
Upholstery, stains, smell, damage
Fuel
Check level against contract
📋 Inspection checklist
- ☐ Walk around the entire car in daylight
- ☐ Check roof, hood, and trunk lid
- ☐ Look under the car for underbody damage
- ☐ Open all doors and check edges
- ☐ Check rearview and side mirrors
- ☐ Test windshield wipers
- ☐ Verify spare tire/tire kit is present
- ☐ Make sure all keys work
💡 Pro tip
If you find damage NOT noted on the contract – ask staff to add it BEFORE you drive off. Refuse to take the car if they won't document existing damage.
4. Photograph – your best insurance
Photos are your best evidence if a dispute arises. Take MANY photos – it costs nothing and can save you thousands.
📸 Photos to take (at least 15-20)
- ☐ All four sides of the car (from a distance)
- ☐ Close-up of each corner
- ☐ The roof (use panorama if possible)
- ☐ All existing scratches and dents
- ☐ All four tires and wheels
- ☐ The windshield from the front
- ☐ The dashboard with odometer reading
- ☐ The fuel gauge
- ☐ The interior front and back
- ☐ The trunk
⚠️ Important
Make sure the photos have a timestamp or take a photo of your contract/receipt in the same photo series so it's clear when the photos were taken.
5. Before you drive off
Before leaving the parking lot, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the car:
📋 Final check
- ☐ Adjust mirrors and seat
- ☐ Find turn signals, lights, and windshield wipers
- ☐ Locate the parking brake
- ☐ Test AC/heating
- ☐ Connect your phone to Bluetooth/CarPlay
- ☐ Set up GPS or start Google Maps
- ☐ Check where the fuel cap is (often an arrow near the fuel symbol)
- ☐ Save the rental company's phone number in your phone
💡 Tip for automatic transmission
If you're not used to automatic: P = parking, R = reverse, N = neutral, D = drive forward. Always keep the foot brake pressed when shifting.
Quick checklist to print
Here's a summary you can print and bring with you:
📋 Bring to pickup
- ☐ Valid driving license (original)
- ☐ Credit or debit card
- ☐ Booking confirmation
- ☐ Passport/ID (when traveling abroad)
📋 At the counter
- ☐ Decline extra insurance (if you have Full Coverage)
- ☐ Read the contract before signing
- ☐ Check fuel policy
- ☐ Note deposit amount
📋 At the car
- ☐ Inspect the entire car thoroughly
- ☐ Photograph everything (15-20 photos)
- ☐ Ensure existing damage is documented
- ☐ Check fuel level
- ☐ Familiarize yourself with controls before departure
Summary
A smooth pickup is all about preparation. Remember:
- Have all documents ready – driving license, card, and booking confirmation
- Decline unnecessary add-ons – if you already have insurance through your booking
- Inspect the car thoroughly – don't miss any existing damage
- Photograph EVERYTHING – your best insurance in case of dispute
- Familiarize yourself with the car – before driving into traffic
With this checklist in hand, you're ready for a problem-free rental car experience!
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ or contact us!
