5 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Car on Vacation

8 July 2025

Renting a car on vacation seems like a no-brainer, right? You want the freedom to roam, the convenience to skip long bus rides, and let’s be honest—cramming your snorkel gear into a shared shuttle is no one’s idea of fun. But renting a car can also turn into a total nightmare if you don’t know what you’re doing. One misstep, and suddenly your trip is more “Fast & Frustrated” than “Fast & Furious.”

So, before you roll out of the rental lot feeling like a road warrior, let’s talk real. These are the five biggest, most painful, wallet-draining mistakes you want to avoid when renting a car on vacation. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

1. Skipping the Fine Print on Insurance

Oh, insurance. The word alone is enough to make most of us zone out. But here's the thing—this is where many tourists get completely wrecked (not just the car). You might be tempted to decline the rental company’s pricey coverage because your credit card supposedly takes care of it. Or maybe your regular car insurance policy has some rental perks. Sound familiar?

But here’s the million-dollar question—are you absolutely sure? If not, take a second and double-check before your trip.

Rental insurance is a murky swamp of terms and conditions. Some credit cards only cover you if you use them to pay in full. Others don’t include liability insurance. And if you're going abroad? That can be a whole new can of worms. Don’t assume your coverage travels with you.

What should you do?

- Call your insurance provider and your credit card company before booking.
- Ask what’s covered—and what’s not—especially internationally.
- Decide if you need supplemental insurance from the rental agency.

Yes, it’s boring. Yes, it’s worth it. Because nothing kills a vacation vibe faster than getting sideswiped and realizing you’re on the hook for thousands of dollars.

2. Going for the Cheapest Option Without Reading Reviews

We get it—you want to save cash. Budgeting for plane tickets, hotels, excursions, and a boatload of snacks adds up. So, when you see a rental car company offering rock-bottom rates, it feels like a win, right?

Wrong.

If the price looks too good to be true, that’s because it probably is. Dirt-cheap deals often come with strings attached: hidden fees, sketchy customer service, poorly maintained vehicles, or long wait times that'll eat into your precious vacation hours.

Wanna avoid that trap?

- Stick to well-reviewed companies—even smaller local ones over big chains if they have solid feedback.
- Check Google Reviews, Yelp, and travel forums before booking.
- Watch out for “bait-and-switch” tactics where you book one car but get stuck with another.

A couple of extra bucks a day can mean the difference between ease and agony. Don’t let a dirty, dented clunker with a check engine light ruin your road trip selfies.

3. Not Understanding Fuel Policies

This one sounds simple but is surprisingly sneaky. Rental companies have a few different fuel policies, and if you're not paying attention, you could burn through more than just gas money.

Let’s break down the usual suspects:

- Full-to-Full: You get the car with a full tank, and you return it full. Easy.
- Full-to-Empty (aka Prepaid Fuel): You pay for a full tank upfront and bring it back empty. The catch? They charge you premium prices for gas.
- Same-to-Same: You return with the same level you got it (quarter tank, half, etc.). This one's the trickiest to measure accurately.

Here’s where most people mess up: they don’t return the tank full with a full-to-full policy. Then boom—hello, absurd refueling charges that make airport food prices look reasonable.

Want to dodge this bullet?

- Always opt for full-to-full if possible.
- Keep your receipt from the gas station as proof.
- Use a fuel locator app to find gas stations near the return spot.

You went on vacation to see the sights, not to give the rental company free gas money.

4. Ignoring Local Driving Laws and Restrictions

Assuming that driving in another country is just like home? Big mistake. Huge.

Traffic signs, speed limits, toll roads, even which side of the road you’re supposed to drive on—it all changes. Some countries are super strict on certain rules you may never even think about. For example, did you know there are cities in Italy where tourists can't drive at certain hours unless they have a permit? Drive there and you’ll rack up fines faster than your GPS can say “recalculating.”

Other things that could trip you up?

- International Driving Permits: Required in some countries even if you have a valid license.
- Zonal restrictions: Like congestion zones with cameras that fine you automatically.
- Drink-driving laws: Way stricter in other countries, sometimes zero-tolerance.

Don’t be that person who learns about these things the hard way. A little pre-trip research goes a long way.

- Google “[country] driving laws for tourists” before your trip.
- Download offline maps or driving apps that highlight tolls and restricted areas.
- Ask the rental agent directly about local rules when picking up the car.

Because “vacation” and “court date” should never appear in the same sentence.

5. Not Inspecting the Car Before and After

We know—you just landed, you’re tired, and all you want to do is hit the beach or crash at your hotel. But if there’s one time to be bleary-eyed and photogenic, it’s when you're walking around your rental car.

You wouldn’t sign a lease for an apartment without checking it out first, right? So, don’t drive off without giving that rental a good once-over.

Here’s what you should look for:

- Scratches, dents, scuffs
- Cracked windows or chipped paint
- Broken lights, mirrors, or wipers
- Tire condition (do they look bald?)
- Interior damage or stains

And most importantly…

- Take photos and videos of everything—from every angle—with a time stamp.

Do the same thing when you return the car. Why? Because "unreported damage" is one of the oldest tricks in the rental game. They could charge you days after drop-off and you’ll have no way to prove you didn’t cause it.

Be thorough. Be annoying if you have to. You’re protecting you.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute to Book

We’re throwing in a sixth tip for free because this one’s painfully common: waiting until you're already at your destination to book a rental.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

By that point, availability is scarce, prices are sky-high, and you’re stuck choosing between what's left—not what you want. It's like grocery shopping when you’re hungry. You’ll pay more for less.

Book in advance. Especially during peak seasons or in popular destinations. You’ll save money, guarantee availability, and lower your stress by, like, 90%.

Final Thoughts: Drive Smarter, Not Harder

Renting a car on vacation doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. It’s supposed to unlock adventure—not headaches. But if you ignore the details or assume you know how it works, you're setting yourself up for a rocky ride.

So, go ahead—blast your road trip playlist, roll down the windows, and enjoy the open road. Just make sure you’re not learning these rental lessons the hard (and expensive) way.

Remember: the smartest traveler isn’t always the one with the fanciest luggage. It’s the one who avoids rookie mistakes and drives off into the sunset worry-free.