Car Rental Checklist

Save yourself stress, time, and money

Rental company: ____________________

Number plate: ____________________

Fuel level at pickup: ________ %

Odometer (km): ____________________

1. Preparation (at home before you fly)

Card: Do I really have a CREDIT card? (It says “Credit”, not “Debit”.)

Limit: Do I have enough available credit to cover the deposit hold (usually €500–1500)?

Documents: Do I have a valid driving licence + International Driving Permit (if travelling abroad) + passport/ID?

Maps: Have I downloaded offline maps (Google Maps / Maps.me / Mapy.com) for the area?

2. At the counter (pickup)

Insurance: If I have my own external insurance, I firmly decline the “Full Insurance” upsell from the rental company.

Fuel: Confirmed “Full-to-Full”?

Contract: Is all existing damage I can see on the car noted in the rental agreement?

3. Vehicle inspection (in the car park)

TIP: Take one continuous VIDEO around the whole car (move slowly), including the roof and wheels.

Exterior: Bumpers, mirrors, door edges, roof (hail damage?).

Wheels: Condition of the rims (kerb scratches) and tyre tread depth.

Underbody: Crouch down. Any loose plastic parts or fluid leaks?

Interior: Seat cleanliness, smell (smoking), working AC and lights.

Dashboard: Photograph the odometer and the fuel gauge (with the engine running).

4. Returning the car

Fuel: Photograph the receipt from the last petrol station (max 10 km from the airport).

Drop-off: Photograph the car in the rental car park (proof it’s there on time and intact).

Paperwork: Do I have a signed drop-off receipt confirming no damage? (If no staff are around, photograph the drop-box.)

Back home after your trip: Keep an eye on your bank statement for 30 days. Watch out for any unauthorized charges.