Having a car to drive on holiday is extremely useful, especially in some areas of Spain with less public transport. However, don’t let the rental car become a future nightmare- to keep your holiday stress-free follow these general rules, but common mistakes.
Rental cars and insurance
Before removing the car from the shop, or driving it, take pictures of everything: panels, wheels, bumpers, windshield, roof, interior and you must take a special look at the fuel level, odometer and existing scratches. Many companies could blame you for minor details, so make sure it wasn’t you who caused it. The same goes for when you return your car- try to receive written confirmation of return and if deposited after-hours film your car in detail.
When in a country which is not your own or where you do not dominate the language, always ensure you understand exactly what you are agreeing/committing to. The insurance included is very important to pay attention to. A basic rental insurance usually includes: mandatory third-party liability and collision damage waiver (CDW). However, there can be a large deductible, commonly between €800 and €2,000. Rental cars will push you to purchase extra coverage such as tire coverage, glass coverage or key insurance. If you choose to decline this ‘extra’ insurance, be aware they may withhold a larger deposit on your card.
Restricted zones
When driving, like most countries nowadays, there are restricted zones surrounding cities, especially historic cities. It is essential you know where these areas are located as ‘being unaware’ is not an excuse, and many tourists have found themselves with fines, weeks after coming back from their holiday. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga, often have restricted areas surrounding the cities. (Image: low emissions stickers- Credit: DGT)
Always research the roads you are about to drive before setting off, do not only trust your GPS or google maps, do not presume the area surrounding your hotel is okay and do not drive there because ‘everyone else seems to be’. Rental companies send fines weeks later and sometimes with an added administration fee of up to 60 euros.
Parking rules, speeding and emergency equipment
Different colours signal different rules:
- BLUE: Paid parking
- GREEN: Residents only
- YELLOW: NO PARKING
- WHITE: Park freely
If you park on a curb with a line with one of these restrictive colours, your car is at risk of being towed.
The same concept goes with speeding fines- fines come weeks later though the rental company. Spain tends to use fixed radars, average-speed cameras and mobile police radars.
Always check for emergency equipment. Before using your rental double check you have a reflective vest and an emergency light beacon.
Border restrictions and Accident Forms
Spain has a lot of unusual borders: many plan on crossing borders to France, Gibraltar and even a ferry to Morocco. You must double check what your rental company allows, as not all companies will automatically include them. Check for authorization rules, insurance validity and extra fees
If you are in an accident, use the Parte Europeo de Accidente form, a paper which should be located in your glove compartment. This is an ‘amicable’ form which allows both parties involved to describe their version of events. It will include a description box, contact details, insurance details and a small drawing box. (Credit image: Linea Directa aseguradoras)
Overall, be careful! Always read your contract for hidden fees or get someone you trust to translate it for you, if stopped by the police, be pleasant and show your relevant documentation ( ID, licence and rental agreement) and most importantly! Be attentive to signs and please don’t drive through a historic city centre or over an ancient bridge without checking- the views might be beautiful but the fine three weeks later might leave a bit of a sower after taste.
We chatted about this on a recent show:
