Does driving in a foreign country scare you? This is understandable when you aren’t sure of the laws of the land. All you can do is hope that the law enforcement officers don’t pull you over to give you a fine for an offense that you didn’t even realize you committed.
On top of following the state regulations, you will need to follow the strict guidelines from the car rental company. This is because a lot of parties such as insurance companies also hold them accountable.
This is why it’s important to understand the guidelines from the car rental company. So what things should you consider when renting a car in Atlanta? Here is a guide on car rental in Atlanta.
According to MiramarSpeedCircuit, you should consider a couple of things like policies, rules, regulations, and requirements before renting any car from a car rental company in Atlanta.
Factors to consider when renting a car in Atlanta
Here are the factors to consider before renting a car in Atlanta:
License
Can you rent a car in Atlanta with a license from a foreign country? Yes, it’s possible as long as the license is from a recognized institution and country.
Your license should also be up to date if you will use it to rent a car. Expired licenses are not allowed. Your rental car contract can only last as long as your current license lasts, when it expires your contract expires too.
It’s also important for your license to be in the English language. Licenses in other languages are not permitted so you’ll be required to get an International Drivers Permit and produce other documents to be allowed to rent a car in Atlanta. Temporary licenses are also not accepted by car rental agencies in Atlanta.
Age
Legally, drivers under twenty years are not permitted to rent cars from car rental services. In some agencies like the national agencies, they accept renters who are above the age of 25. In addition, there are some cars that drivers under the age of 25 are not permitted to rent.
Car rental services barely have a maximum age limit but for those who have, it’s usually above the age of 70 years.
Insurance
Each driver is required to have an insurance cover for the car they rent. You can either use your own insurance or you’re provided one by the company you rent your car from.
Using your own cover will require you to provide a valid car insurance certificate. On the other hand, using the company’s insurance will attract extra charges. The standard policy includes standard protection and other services such as roadside assistance.
Some companies may offer additional insurance on top of the standard insurance that clients can buy.
Companies offer extra services at extra fees. Ensure that you understand any extra fees. The first thing you should do before signing any document with the rental company is to request a policy document and go through it to ensure you’re not caught unaware of the hidden fees that could be attached to your car rental.
Different companies have different policies. It is, therefore, necessary to take your time and confirm the extra fees attached to avoid unforeseen charges to your account.
Rental company’s policies, Penalties, and Restrictions
Just like the extra fees, penalties, policies, and restrictions that apply when renting a car differ with the renting company. Although, there are some basic ones that are used by every rental service. They include penalties on:
● Late return of the vehicle
● Traffic fines
● Driving toddlers without their car seats
Some legal restrictions to avoid are:
● Using a rental car for public transportation
● Sub-renting the vehicle to a third party
● Re modeling the rented car in any way
● Taking the rented vehicle out of the country
Payment Method
Before you choose a car you want to rent, it’s always good to find out their payment method. While this differs from one company to the other, most rental companies accept cash, prepaid cards, check cards, credit cards, and debit cards.
You cannot use another person’s card or use two different cards for your transaction. Some companies also have special cards for their clients to use and others take cash only. It all depends on the company.
Driving tips in Atlanta
When driving your car rental in Atlanta, there are a few things you need to consider. These are:
- Using a cellphone when driving is prohibited
- You should not drink and drive
- Kids under the age of 12 arent allowed to sit at the front sit
- Kids under the age of 7should use safety seats
- All passengers should wear seat belts.
Conclusion
It’s important to be on the safe side when using a rented vehicle. Ensure you follow the above requirements and follow the regulations and do more research about your specific location and then you’ll be good to go. Nothing can stop you from having fun and the adventure you want!
FAQs on Car rental in Atlanta
What Happens if I Get into a Car Accident With a Rental Car?
Damages to your car are covered by the rental car’s insurance policy. If the accident was your fault, your insurance will cover the damages. If you’re not insured by the rental company’s insurance, you will have to cover the damage cost.
What Happens if I Get a Dent in A Rental Car?
A damage waiver will cover any minor damages such as dents, scratches, and chipped windshields that occur on your rental car. Damage waiver is an optional protection product that one can purchase with their car rental.
