Renting a car in a foreign country for the first time can be a bit difficult to do. If you’re traveling to Germany, then you’re probably planning to take a road trip sometime during your visit. This country has just too much to offer, so it’s no wonder you’ll need a car to manage to get the best of it!
But, how do you go about renting a car in Germany?
In this article, we’ll give you our tips for renting a car in Germany quickly, easily and safely, so keep on reading if you want to find out!
Make a reservation before you go
Make sure you find a car before you get on your flight. It will make the entire process much easier, and you won’t have to waste your time finding a car rental service while you’re there. If you don’t reserve it on time, you may have to shorten your road trip because of it.
Luckily, renting a car remotely is easy nowadays! Just google “cars for rent in Germany”, and you’ll quickly find something that fits your needs and preferences. For example, if you’re thinking about renting a luxury car for some additional comfort, you’ll have to look for specialized rental agencies that deal with these types of cars. If you’re interested in that, there are many of these that you can find on rentluxecar.com and other similar websites. Of course, make sure to do your research, and don’t forget to check out some online reviews on the car rental agency before you make your final decision.
All in all, reserving the car before you go will save you time, money, and effort and it will broaden your rental options in a major way. You don’t want to be forced to settle for something less than your expectations just because your wanted car isn’t available once you’re in Germany.
Manual or automatic
When it comes to German cars, most of them come with a manual transmission. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to reserve the car as early as possible, especially if you prefer having an automatic transmission in your car. Of course, this may come with an extra charge so keep that in mind.
Make sure to ask the rental company about it in time, and get the car you want for your road trip without any unnecessary troubles.
All in all, whether you choose manual or automatic transmission for your car depends on your preferences, but you should know that going automatic might cost you a little extra.
Get a GPS
GPS is a necessary tool to have when you’re taking a trip through the German roads. Every quality rental agency will be able to provide you with a GPS system, so make sure to ask. Of course, this usually comes with an additional price, so if it doesn’t line up with your budget, you can always get a roadmap at the airport. Whatever you do, make sure you get a proper navigational tool, because finding your way around smaller roads can be quite difficult if you don’t speak German.
Other than that, if you plan to visit the neighboring countries while you’re in Germany, make sure to check with your agency whether you’re allowed to go across the border or not. Usually, there are some extra fees that you’ll have to pay to drive to Austria or Poland. The price will depend on the country you want to visit so make sure to inform yourself properly.
Prepare all the necessary paperwork
To be able to drive your vehicle in Germany you’ll need to have a valid driver’s license with you. In addition, you’ll have to be at least 18 years old to be able to drive around the German territory, and in most places, the limit for renting a car is 25 years of age.
Other than that, if you’re planning on visiting the nearby countries while you’re there, you might want to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP isn’t a requirement in Germany, but it’s a necessary document if you’re considering visiting the bordering countries. It costs around 15USD, and it’s essentially just a translation of your original license.
Learn the traffic laws
The traffic laws in Germany might differ from the ones back in your home country, so make sure to do your research before you get on the road. Many European traffic signs and regulations are completely different from the ones in America, so make sure you’re well-informed before you go. The traffic fines can be extremely high, therefore don’t leave anything to chance.
If you fail to follow the traffic laws while you’re in Germany, then don’t be surprised when you get charged a fine on the credit card that you’ve used to rent the car long after you’re gone. Germans are strict about their laws, so make sure to learn as much as you can before you book your flight.
Inspect the car on arrival
Inspecting the car once you arrive is of the utmost importance. Make sure to check for any obvious defects and don’t hesitate to notify your agent about it. Always ask for a test drive and pay attention to any unusual smells or sounds the car produces. Once you’re sure everything is fine with the vehicle, it’s time to enjoy the beauties Germany has to offer!
Other than that, make sure to refuel on the way back because you might be charged extra if you return an empty tank. Whatever you do, remember to return the car in time and organize your trip appropriately. Any delays might result in some costly charges, so make sure to avoid this to the best of your ability.
The bottom line
Renting a car for a road trip in Germany might be a bit difficult if you go unprepared. So, make sure you reserve the vehicle in time, learn about German traffic laws and regulations, don’t forget to thoroughly examine the car, and ensure you return it as scheduled.
