If you are thinking of hiring a car then you will no doubt have some questions. On this page we aim to answer customers most common questions. We have also created a glossary of car hire terms to help cut through much of the industry jargon which you can often encounter on other car hire websites.

Check you have all items of your luggage, maps you may require, and make sure that you do not feel overly tired in advance of your journey.

Whether at the airport, the rental location, or on your travels, pay careful attention to your purse/wallet and where you keep your car keys. Do not leave your baggage or valuables/keys unattended at any time. If you are travelling in a group assign someone to stay with your luggage whilst any other drivers of the vehicle familiarise themselves with the car.

Fuel is generally not included in the booking price and you are required to return the vehicle with the same ammount of fuel in the tank as at the start of your rental, however, fuel policies vary with location and provider. You should check the terms and conditions prior to making your booking for full details.

Although maybe the most obvious accessory you will need to take on your trip, it is surprising how easy it is to forget the most essential things such as your driving licence or passport.

Before you leave, always make sure you have your driving licence with you - car hire companies do not accept photocopies, it must be the real thing. You must take along your original paper licence as well as the photocard if you have a modern two part licence. Some countries (especially countries not a part of Europe) also insist all drivers carry an International Driving Permit.

When you are driving abroad always be sure to familiarise yourself with any local rules and restrictions. These can sometimes be very different to what you are used to when driving in your home country.

A useful checklist of things to look for:

• Different road signs and markings
• Speed limits (make sure you know if these markings are in kilometers per hour, or miles per hour)
• Parking zones

Some countries operate a zero tolerance policy towards alcohol levels in the blood, and so it is essential that you plan your journeys in advance to ensure that the driver will be able to drive legally.

Before you drive the hire vehicle away, familiarise yourself with all of its controls - lights, windscreen wipers etc. Also check the vehicle is carrying the required safety equipment for the country you are travelling in.

Legislation in most countries now requires all occupants of the vehicle to wear correctly fitted safety belts both in the front and back of the vehicle. Most European countries do not permit children under certain ages to ride in the front passenger seat of a moving vehicle.

There are many different terms/phrases associated with car hire relating to insurance, taxes and surcharges that you may come accross while researching your hire. In order for you to be fully informed while making your choice we have created this guide to some of the inducty terminology.

Additional Drivers

You may wish other members of your party drive the vehicle you have hired while on holiday. For insurance reasons the local hire company must be aware of these people. There is often an extra charge payable locally for additional drivers.

Airport Surcharges

At most airports (and in some other locations such as ferry ports) the car hire companies have to pay the airport an additional fee to use the airport's facilities. In many locations this fee is passed on to the customer and must be paid locally at the time of pickup. The terms and conditions of your booking will tell you if the quoted price includes these charges, you are advised to check it carefully.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), also known as Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), protects the driver from any claim (minus the excess amount) in the event of any damage occurring to the rental vehicle, except where negligence is proved. Note: Collision Damage Waiver is NOT insurance.

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)

Is an additional extra that you may be offered when you pick up your hire vehicle. PAI is an additonal insurance which covers the authorized driver(s) and passengers in the hire vehicle for death, disability and medical expenses. Each hire company will have different PAI policy so always be sure to check what is being offered when you actually pick your vehicle up.

Theft Protection (THP)

In case of theft of the vehicle or its parts, you are only responsable up to the excess charge.

Cancellation Waiver Protection (CWP)

Some of our partners levy a charge for cancellation of bookings prior to the collection date. By taking out cancellation waiver protection at the time of booking, this charge is not payable should you choose to cancel your booking prior to the collection date.

Damage Excess Waiver (DEW)

In the case of damage occuring to your car during your rental period you will be required to pay the ammount up to your collision damage waiver. Optional damage excess waiver allows you claim back this excess direct from the booking partner after your rental period is over.

Insurance Excess

In the event of accident, or damage to the vehicle, you will be expected to pay a certain amount towards the total repair cost. This is your car insurance excess. The excess on your hire will depend on the local supplier and they will be able to give you more information when you collect your car.

International Driving Permit (IDP)

An International Driving Licence, or IDP, allows you to drive a private motor vehicle abroad when accompanied by a valid UK driving licence. For more information see page on the international driving permit.

Out of Hours

In most locations flights will be met and cars supplied outside of normal working hours. However, at some locations there may be an additional charge for this service which is payable locally. Please note that in the event that a flight is delayed, causing the car pick-up to fall outside normal working hours, the additional charge will be made.

The International Driving Permit is required in certain countries to allow the holder to drive a private motor vehicle when accompanied by a full valid UK driving licence. There are two types of permit - IDP 1926 and IDP 1949.

The AA is authorised to issue these permits for travel to a whole range of countries. The permits are valid for 12 months from date of issue.

Where Do You Need Them?

IDPs are required for driving in the following countries. Some countires apply special conditions to their use. If the country you are visiting is not listed you are advised to check the requirements with the relevant tourist office or embassy.

• Iraq - IDP 1926 required
• Somalia - IDP 1926 required
• Brazil - Specific IDP conditions
• Afghanistan - IDP 1949 required
• Albania - IDP 1949 required
• Algeria - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Angola - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Argentina - IDP 1949 required
• Armenia - IDP 1949 required
• Australia - UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
• Bahrain - Specific IDP conditions
• Bangladesh - UK licence accepted but IDP recommended
• Belarus - Specific IDP conditions
• Benin - IDP 1949 required
• Bhutan - IDP 1949 required
• Bolivia - IDP 1949 required
• Brunei - IDP 1949 possibly required for car hire
• Bulgaria - IDP 1949 required
• Burkina Faso - IDP 1949 recomended
• Cambodia (Kampuchea) - IDP 1949 required
• Canada - IDP 1949 recommended
• Cape Verde - IDP 1949 recommended
• Central African Republic - IDP 1949 required
• Chad - IDP 1949 required
• Chile - IDP 1949 required
• Colombia - IDP 1949 required
• Comoros - IDP 1949 required
• Congo (Democratic Republic Of) - IDP 1949 required
• Congo (Republic Of) - IDP 1949 recommended
• Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Curacao (Netherlands Antilles) - IDP 1949 required
• Czech Republic - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Dominican Republic - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Egypt - IDP 1949 required
• Equatorial Guinea - IDP 1949 required
• Eritrea - IDP 1949 required
• Gabon - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Georgia - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Ghana - IDP 1949 recommended, and may be required for car hire
• Guam - IDP 1949 required
• Guinea Bissau - IDP 1949 recommended
• Guinea Republic - IDP 1949 recommended
• Haiti - IDP 1949 recommended
• Hong Kong - IDP 1949 recommended
• Hungary - Specific IDP conditions
• Japan - IDP 1949 required
• Jordan - IDP 1949 required
• Kenya - IDP 1949 recommended
• Korea (South) - IDP 1949 required
• Kuwait - IDP 1949 required
• Kyrgyzstan - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
• Laos - IDP 1949 recommended
• Lebanon - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
• Lesotho - IDP 1949 recommended
• Macao - IDP 1949 required
• Mozambique - IDP 1949 recommended
• Myanmar (Burma) - Specific IDP conditions
• Namibia - IDP 1949 recommended for car hire
• Nepal - Specific IDP conditions
• Nigeria - IDP 1949 required
• Oman - IDP 1949 required
• Pakistan - IDP 1949 required
• Peru - IDP 1949 required for stays longer than 30 days
• Philippines - IDP 1949 required for car hire
• Portugal - Specific IDP conditions
• Qatar - IDP 1949 required
• Romania - Specific IDP conditions
• Russian Federation - IDP 1949 required
• Rwanda - Specific IDP conditions
• Sao Tome & Principe - IDP 1949 recommended
• Sabah (Malaysia) - IDP 1949 required
• Saudi Arabia - IDP 1949 recommended (women not premitted to drive)
• Senegal - Specific IDP conditions
• Sierra Leone - IDP 1949 required
• Slovakia - IDP 1949 required for car hire
• Slovenia - Specific IDP conditions
• South Africa - Specific IDP conditions
• Spain (inc. Balearic & Canary Isles) - Specific IDP conditions
• Sri Lanka - Specific IDP conditions
• Sudan - IDP 1949 recommended
• Surinam - IDP 1949 required
• Swaziland - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Syria - IDP 1949 required
• Taiwan - IDP 1949 required
• Tanzania - IDP 1949 recommended
• Thailand - IDP 1949 required
• Tongo - IDP 1949 recommended
• Tunisia - IDP 1949 required if licence does not incorporate photo
• Turkey - IDP 1949 required for stays longer than 90 days
• Ukraine - IDP 1949 required
• United Arab Emirates - IDP 1949 required
• UAS - IDP 1949 recommended
• Vietnam - Specific IDP conditions
• Yemen - IDP 1949 required for car hire
• Zambia - IDP 1949 recommended
• Zimbabwe - Specific IDP conditions