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Rent a Car Checklist

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Toggle Before You Rent a Car status

Before You Rent a Car

Toggle Make an agenda status

Make an agenda

For how long will you be renting a car? What size vehicle do you need? Consider the cost of parking and gas. If you are traveling in a big city, look into public transportation options, and you may be able to cut your rental time in half.
Toggle Shop around for deals online status

Shop around for deals online

;Compare rates of the most well known ;rental services. You should call at least three different places that have a solid reputation and good customer reviews.
Toggle Are you traveling and renting a car from the airport? ;You may be able to book your flight and car rental for cheap, as part of a package deal online status

Are you traveling and renting a car from the airport? ;You may be able to book your flight and car rental for cheap, as part of a package deal online

This can be a convenient option, as you can return the car to the airport on your last day. Beware, though, as some companies charge additional airport fees.
Toggle Talk to your credit card company status

Talk to your credit card company

Some credit cards offer discounts for car rentals.
Toggle Call your insurance agent to verify what coverage you have for car rentals status

Call your insurance agent to verify what coverage you have for car rentals

Get advice on any supplemental insurance - if ;any - you may need.
Toggle Contact your road service provider to see if they cover rental car service calls status

Contact your road service provider to see if they cover rental car service calls

Some services will get you discounts as well. If you are a AAA cardholder, for example, you may be entitled to a discount on the rental vehicle.
Toggle Make a reservation status

Make a reservation

Call to reserve your vehicle only after researching your options and making the necessary calls. Reservations should always be free, so you can cancel if something comes up.
Toggle Bring/Have with You status

Bring/Have with You

Toggle Driver's license and any other necessary I status

Driver's license and any other necessary I

D., ;such as a passport
Toggle Insurance card, as well as contact info for insurance agency status

Insurance card, as well as contact info for insurance agency

Toggle Reservation confirmation info status

Reservation confirmation info

Toggle To Ask At the Car Rental Counter status

To Ask At the Car Rental Counter

Toggle Has the car you're renting completed its pre-rental maitenance check? If the clerk can't answer, be suspicious status

Has the car you're renting completed its pre-rental maitenance check? If the clerk can't answer, be suspicious

Toggle What to do if the car breaks down? Get the necessary contact information. status

What to do if the car breaks down? Get the necessary contact information.

Toggle What is covered under the rental insurance? status

What is covered under the rental insurance?

Toggle What happens if the car is stolen? status

What happens if the car is stolen?

Toggle Is there a spare key in case the key is lost? status

Is there a spare key in case the key is lost?

Toggle When and where do you return the car? Some agencies allow you to return the rental to a different location from where you picked it up status

When and where do you return the car? Some agencies allow you to return the rental to a different location from where you picked it up

Other facilities will let you drop off the car even if the office is closed.
Toggle Does the tank have to be full upon return? Some companies request a full tank, while others simply ask that you return with at least a half tank or at the same fuel level upon renting. status

Does the tank have to be full upon return? Some companies request a full tank, while others simply ask that you return with at least a half tank or at the same fuel level upon renting.

Toggle At the Car status

At the Car

Toggle Walk and check status

Walk and check

Look carefully at all sides of the exterior, to ensure that there’s no ;obvious damage. ;Know that you can be held responsible for undocumented ;damage once you leave the rental car lot.
Toggle …Make sure the license plates are valid. status

…Make sure the license plates are valid.

Toggle …Check the tires for inflation, good tread, and even tread wear status

…Check the tires for inflation, good tread, and even tread wear

;Uneven tread wear could indicate a ;suspension or alignment problem. ;If tread wear looks markedly uneven, you should ask for another vehicle.
Toggle Read the odometer status

Read the odometer

Does the car have over 25,000 miles on it? If so, you should be more thorough with your inspection, as older cars tend to have more wear and tear.
Toggle …Ensure all vehicle lights work properly status

…Ensure all vehicle lights work properly

This includes headlights, turn signals, interior and dashboard lights.
Toggle …Test the windshield wipers and washer status

…Test the windshield wipers and washer

This may seem like a small detail, but it's one of the biggest consumer complaints as well as a safety issue.
Toggle Locate the Owner's Manual in the glove box status

Locate the Owner's Manual in the glove box

You will need this if there's a feature you don't know how to work, or if you need to perform any ;maintenance ;tasks yourself.
Toggle …Check the trunk for a spare tire and tools for changing a flat status

…Check the trunk for a spare tire and tools for changing a flat

You should see a jack and a lug wrench. ;Test the tire to ensure it's inflated. Refer to the owner's manual to see if your rental requires any other tools for tire-changing, such as a socket or other items.
Toggle Open the hood to check the fluids status

Open the hood to check the fluids

Make sure there's enough washer fluid, antifreeze and oil.
Toggle Ensure the car is comfortable and you can operate brakes, accelerator, and steering wheel without any difficulty status

Ensure the car is comfortable and you can operate brakes, accelerator, and steering wheel without any difficulty

Familiarize yourself with the dashboard and any additional controls.
Toggle Drive the car around the parking lot first status

Drive the car around the parking lot first

If there are any problems with the way the car drives, it's best to assess this beforehand.
Toggle On the Road and In the Car status

On the Road and In the Car

Toggle You might want to bring a mini-toolkit with you, in case of roadside emergencies status

You might want to bring a mini-toolkit with you, in case of roadside emergencies

Toggle Paper towels or wipes in case you want to check/change your oil or fluid levels status

Paper towels or wipes in case you want to check/change your oil or fluid levels

Toggle A small flashlight status

A small flashlight

Toggle Ensure ;you have all documents with you: ;Driver's license, ;vehicle registration, ;insurance info, ;contact numbers for roadside service and ;contact info for the rental agency status

Ensure ;you have all documents with you: ;Driver's license, ;vehicle registration, ;insurance info, ;contact numbers for roadside service and ;contact info for the rental agency

Toggle If you don't have a GPS, map out your route before you get behind the wheel. status

If you don't have a GPS, map out your route before you get behind the wheel.

Download or Print this Rent a Car Checklist

Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.

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Presented by:

Lauren Meir

Lauren Meir
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Stats

Views

75

Uses

4

Tasks

38

Tags

PersonalTravelAutomotiveSafety

Details

You know to compare quotes when looking for a car rental, but what about insurance coverage? How can you be sure your rental is safe? Our car rental checklist gives you the essential tools for the task, both at the counter and on the road.

Tips

  • Be advised that purchasing additional insurance at counter is more expensive and not always necessary. Check with your insurance provider for details.
  • Make sure to have the name and contact info of the clerk who assists you.
  • If you're renting an older car, be more thorough in your inspection. Check to ensure there's enough brake, transmission, and power-steering fluid.

Who it's for

This Rent a Car Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.

  • Avoid forgetting - keep all your Rent a Car essentials in one place (external memory)
  • Save time - start from a proven Rent a Car structure instead of a blank page
  • Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
  • Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
  • Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time

How to use it

How to use this Rent a Car Checklist

  • Save Rent a Car Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
  • Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Rent a Car (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
  • If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
  • Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.

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