7 items to be checked before renting a car in the city of Bucharest in 2018

Each car rental company has its own rental car rental. These are tailored according to the country in which the company operates.
In the field of car rentals, rent agencies have certain elements that are specific to Bucharest. These elements represent a combination of factors taken from the American model along with the Western European style.

But let’s not get away from the subject and let’s see together which are the specific features of the car rental structure in Bucharest:

1. Replace direct rental at Henri-Coanda Otopeni Airport with online booking

Even if each car rental company in Bucharest makes rentals for Henri-Coanda airport in Otopeni, it does not mean that all these agencies are based in the airport.

Raising a car directly from the airport requires an extra expense for both the car rental company and the customer. Thus, the company that rents the vehicle will have to pay a considerable sum to rent in the airport.
That amount will continue to be in the rental price per day.

Why does this happen?

Let’s find out together …

To better understand this process, one parking space can cost around 10 euros per day. This amount will have to be paid by the customer through the car rental company.
So, in order to reduce the costs, make the reservation in advance directly from the merchant’s website. Online booking in time will allow you to reduce your extra expenses, such as an emergency or airport tax.

2. The minimum age for renting a car is 21 years in Bucharest

Most car rental companies in Bucharest have adopted the American model.

This model is in many situations very favorable to the Western European one.

Let’s see why?

Almost all European Union countries rent cars to everyone over 25 years old. Thus, there is a situation in Western European countries, where the client may be under 25 years of age and a 3 years experience in the field of driving. Even under these conditions, the customer can not rent a car in France or in another country in the European Union.

However, the car rental process in Romania is not as rigorous about this situation. Most car rental companies in Bucharest require the driver to have a driving license of at least 3 years.
Even if you can rent a car when the driver’s age is under 25, he or she will need to have at least 3 years of experience.
But let’s not forget that there is no favorable option without additional costs. Thus, if you have a 3 year permit you will have to pay additional taxes.

3. Take pictures together with your car rental agent when you pick up the car

Typically, the car is checked before you rent the car, along with your car rental agent.

In this check all the car damage is over. If the rented car company respects, the rented car should not have a minor damage.
However, a notice form is completed at the beginning of the rental. In this report, all the malfunctions are passed. Request a copy of this report and attach to this report pictures taken by you from multiple angles. By this form
you will be able to guard against any additional costs associated with car damage.

4. Children will incur additional expenses when renting a car

For children under the age of 4, there will be additional costs for renting a car.
These costs will not be incurred directly, but will arise on the basis of Romanian driving laws. Let’s explain this process better and see why.

The Romanian auto law requires a child seat when it is under 4 years of age.
If you are traveling on a road in Romania with a child under 4 years without a seat for transporting it, you will have to pay a fine of at least 400 Ron.
Requesting a child seat will require additional costs from the customer.

Requesting a child seat will require additional costs from the customer. We present to you an article made by alanarent.ro, in which you can avoid hidden costs in car rentals.

5. Rent the car only on the credit card

Most car rental companies request credit card registration.
The credit card is required both for the car rental company and for the customer who uses the service.
We will exemplify the advantages of leasing based on a credit card from the customer’s point of view. Let’s say you rent a car today and want to return it on a certain day.

However, there is an unexpected situation where you can not return the car to the established location.
Since you have registered your credit card, the company can pick up the car from its established location.

Additional costs will be charged to lift the car, which will be retained directly from the card. Without the credit card you will be forced to bring the car back to the rental office or pay the difference by other payment methods.

6. Feed each time before returning your rental car

This rule will not only apply to Bucharest or Otopeni, but to the car rental system around the world.
The vehicle is handed over to the customer with a certain amount of fuel.

Regardless of the situation, the customer will have to return the car with the same amount of fuel.

In the event the car will not be returned with the same number of liters, the customer will have to pay the missing number of liters of fuel plus an extra charge.

7. Clear the unpaved roads

The roads in Bucharest are the most neat in Romania.
However, we can not say the same things about the rest of the roads outside the capital.
Thus, if you travel on country roads or unpaved roads you will have to pay for each car malfunction.

If you travel on poorly asphalted roads (and you will find a lot in Romania), the internal defects of the car will be borne by the company.
If you travel with a rented car on country roads (unpaved), when you have to bear the repair costs of the vehicle.
So you have to drive the car as if you were the owner of the car.

You have arrived with us until the end of the 7 items to be checked before renting a car in Bucharest in 2018. As a bonus, we advise you to stay informed and to read your rights as a European consumer in the world of car rental.

European consumer rights in car rental services

There are no specific European rules on car rental in Bucharest or on Romanian territory, but as a European consumer you have certain rights. The most important are:
The price set for a reservation must include all non-avoidable taxes (local taxes, processing fees). Any additional costs that may apply to you (for example, a child seat or extra insurance) must be clearly indicated and must not be misleading.
The rental agreement must not contain abusive clauses, otherwise prohibited in Europe. For example, the seller can not compel you to accept clauses that you have not been able to check before signing the contract. Check items included in the price: pay special attention to local taxes, airport taxes, insurance.
Check your car with a company employee to report possible malfunctions. If you are not given a checklist, note any malfunctions you know and ask an employee to sign your paper. If the car is broken, call the company that rented it and wait for its instructions. Do not try to repair the vehicle without the company’s approval. In the event of an accident, note the names and addresses of the persons involved. If someone is injured or there is a dispute over the parties’ liability, call the police. Contact your car rental company immediately.
Check for any additional costs that you will have to pay during the period when you use the car Check the conditions for fueling.

Check the terms of cancellation of the car rental contract.

Check for other possible restrictions (eg mileage limits, countries where you have or not to travel). If you have booked online, take a printed copy with you. If you sign a rental agreement at your destination, be sure the terms provided for it match those of your previous reservation; keep a copy of all the documents you sign.
Try to return the car for the duration of the company’s work schedule to make sure someone checks its status. An employee should write a written note on the condition of the vehicle. That note must be signed by you and your employee. Keep a copy. Check your car with a company employee to report possible malfunctions. If you are not given a checklist, note any malfunctions you know and ask an employee to sign your paper. We recommend using this opportunity to avoid hidden costs in car rentals.