Prepare to check your car before taking it on the road, you are held liable for any damages that are found, that have not been noted prior to hiring the car.


Here are some points to check:

• Point out any minor dents/scratches on the paintwork and ensure that this has been noted on the pre-rental inspection form. At this point you should also check the fuel gauge to ensure that the vehicle has the same amount of fuel in, as it states on the paperwork.
• Check the tyres for pressure and the windscreen washers and wipers to ensure that they are not worn and that the washers have water in them.
• Ask a member of staff to demonstrate any controls on the car that you are unfamiliar with and also ask for a copy of the handbook.
• Make sure that you have a contact number in case of accident or emergency and that the glove compartment contains all relevant breakdown assistance information.
• Finally ensure that you know what type of fuel the vehicle takes, as should the wrong type be used, the customer will be liable for the cost of cleaning the engine plus loss of revenue.

To help control liability and insurance costs, several major car rental companies, including Budget, screen for high-risk drivers. Budget may ask potential renters a variety of questions regarding their personal driving records. Whenever a prospective renter's driving history fails to meet a company's established criteria, the company can deny rental service.

All drivers of the vehicle will need to be present and provide a valid driver's licence - please note that UK drivers with photo card driver's licences should present both their photo card and the accompanying driver record document - and credit card in their own name. If you have any discounts, coupons or corporate identification, they must be presented upon arrival.