How to Rent a Car in Germany

Are you planning to take a trip to Europe and rent a car in Germany? Renting a car in Germany can be somewhat complicated, but not if you plan ahead by using these steps...

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Access to internet
• Credit Card
• Driver's License
• List of German rental car phrases

1. The first step to take to rent a car in Europe, specifically Germany, is to find a rental car company that will rent a car in Germany. Try Kemwel (resources below), who finds you a great rate with a local rental company to rent a car in Germany, such as Avis or Hertz. Type "rental car Germany" into your search engine on the internet to find such companies as Kemwel.
2. Contact the rental car company directly by phone. This way you can ask for the cheapest car rental rates available, and have your questions answered. You can reserve the car rental with a credit card.
3. The first question to ask is whether or not you need an international driver's license for your car rental in Germany. Some rental car companies in Europe require you to have this, but others do not. If you need an international driver's license, you can get this at any Triple A location with your United States driver's license.
4. The next decision for your rental car in Germany is determining what type of car you will need. A compact car in Europe is much smaller than one in the United States. Ask questions such as whether the car has a trunk or just hatchback, how many pieces of luggage will fit, whether the car has a GPS navigational system, and what type of gas the car will take.
5. Find out the policies of the rental car company. Do you need to have your driver's license and passport to pick up the car? Do you need to use the same credit card with you that the car was reserved with? Must drivers be over 25 and have held their license for at least a year?
6. Find out the working hours of the local rental car company where you will pick up your car. If you are arriving by train at 6 pm local time, but the rental car company closes at 5 pm, you will need to choose another option. Discuss this with the rental car company to find out the best alternative.
7. Confirm your reservation, and ask to be sent a copy by email. This way you can verify that everything is correct, including your special requests. Translate pertinent information into German, in case the local rental car company in Germany does not have English speaking people available.
8. Have contact information for the rental car company in Germany that you can call if there is a problem. Your train or plane may arrive late, and you may need to contact the local Avis or Hertz to let them know.
9. Make yourself a list of German phrases with the English translation of what you will need to know when picking up the rental car. For instance, if you requested a trunk, know how to say this in German, and know the possible responses in German.

Tips & Warnings

• Many rental cars in Germany do not have trunks. The rental cars have hatchback trunks, but many can be accessed through the inside of the car, which doesn't provide as good of a theft deterrent as a full trunk.
• If you rent a car with GPS in Germany, the GPS may be in German. Make sure to ask to have English GPS, or the ability to switch to English. Have the rental car company switch it to English before you leave the parking lot!
• Some credit card companies automatically give you car insurance for your rental car when you rent a car using their card. Call your credit card company to find out if you can get this option for your German car rental.
• The rental car company associates may not speak very good English. Think of what questions you will need to ask and know the question and potential answers in German. Write these down on paper with the translation, and have it with you when you pick up the rental car.
• In case you have a problem with the car, know a number you can call where someone speaks English to help you. If you rent with Avis, for instance, know the international number to call for help.
• 800 numbers to the United States cannot be called from Europe. You will need a regular phone number with area code.
• Find out if you will need to cross any ferries. You will have to ask the rental car company their policies on car ferries for car rentals.