How to Rent a Car Abroad

Drive on the other side of the road, pay exorbitant prices for petrol and suffer with no air conditioning and a manual transmission--the train is sounding better already. Still insist on renting a car abroad? Read on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Make arrangements through a travel agent. By booking and even prepaying in U.S. dollars, you avoid unexpected rate changes and currency fluctuations. Avis and Hertz operate in many countries. Europcar (europcar.co.uk) rents in 118 countries.
2. Nail down your itinerary. Your choice of rental company may depend on whether you intend to hopscotch around countries. A 50 percent surcharge for just crossing a border is not unheard of.
3. Know the extent of your insurance coverage and provide proof. By declining coverage, you may be waiving the agency's recovery service from liable third parties.

Tips & Warnings

• Get an International Driver's Licenses (IDL) from AAA. Valid for one year, the IDL requires a passport-size photo, a nominal fee and a valid driver's license. An International Driving Permit (IDP), written in 10 languages, is officially recognized translation of your driver's license.
• Most likely you'll pay extra for air conditioning and automatic transmission.