Car rental rules in Europe can vary significantly depending on the country, the company offering the service, and even the cost of the car model you rent. Therefore, everything said below is not a dogma, but a kind of guide revealing the most typical rules for providing this service.
So, to rent a car, you will ideally need an identity document (passport) and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Not all companies accept a national (Russian or Ukrainian) driving license. The required driving experience averages one year. For renting expensive car models, the required driving experience is often two years.
The driver age requirement is at least twenty-one years. Sometimes this requirement may be twenty-five years, or for younger drivers (aged twenty-one to twenty-five) there is a notable surcharge. Cash payment for the service is accepted far from everywhere – credit card payment is more often required.
Most companies include insurance against theft, fire, and traffic accidents in the service cost. However, if local traffic authorities deem you at fault in an accident or record you under the influence of alcohol, this insurance will not be considered valid, and all financial responsibility for damages will fall solely on you.
In the case of minor accidents with insignificant damage (dents, scratches), it is sometimes easier to go to a paid car repair shop or an auto parts store to buy a replacement for a damaged rearview mirror than to enter into troublesome negotiations with the rental company for an immediate inspection of the car to assess the damage and resolve the situation.
Reputable companies offer the possibility of free online booking (and accordingly its cancellation) as well as detailed information about service conditions on their website.
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