Leiebil Rules That Apply In Countries Like Spain

When it comes to renting an auto, people have many questions. The time to ask (and do research) is a few weeks before you leave for your destination when you should be booking the vehicle.

Once you arrive, with all the chaos of the holiday arrangements, there will be little time to go over much-needed details, especially if you’re headed to a country foreign to your own.

One of the most sought-after travel destinations for travelers today is Spain. More people request details on bilutleie Spania (translation: car rental Spain) even in the off-season. The country is one where many visitors choose to take road trips to enjoy the beautiful scenery. That makes a high demand for car hires.

The idea is to be able to have the freedom to tour the varied villages, towns, and even cities at leisure independently instead of sticking with a rigid schedule that comes with public transport.

There are key advantages that might come with traveling via public transportation. Still, when you’re attempting to enjoy every nook and cranny of an unfamiliar destination, public transport won’t cut it.

Car Renting In Spain

There are probably commonalities from country to country in the varied rental car policies. Even in Spain, you’ll find some of the same rules and regulations for each agency.

Still, make sure you pay attention to the distinct differences to make an educated decision on the price point and the other variables that might affect fees and charges.

The indication is that Spain is exceptionally expensive for their hired cars, and that might be true. Still, when you’re investing in an aspect of your holiday that will make it much more enjoyable, it makes it worth it.

With that being said, let’s look at some of the specifics of renting in the country, what you should know, and what might be somewhat different than some other countries.

●    Automatic transmission vs. Manual

For someone who has never driven a stick shift in their life, you might be out of luck. A majority of the hired cars provide a manual transmission. If you can only drive an automatic, you should be calling well ahead of your holiday to ensure you get a vehicle for your specific circumstances, including that transmission. The thing to remember is you will pay exorbitantly for a car that gives this option.

Also, you have the opportunity to learn super fast how to drive a manual transmission. It’s not something most would recommend. While the indication is it’s not terribly challenging to catch on.

No one wants to be in a different country with unfamiliar rules and regulations, unique driving situations in a car you don’t know, plus trying to implement new skills. These don’t make good combinations.

●    Size is relevant

An automobile needs to be able to carry all the passengers comfortably plus hold everyone’s baggage. That will be a baseline for determining roughly the size vehicle you need. Another factor will be your eventual destination and the road sizes in the Spanish location.

You will want to avoid a larger vehicle if you intend to explore the old smaller villages. Many travelers choose compact cars or smaller minivans if they have a group of people. Some of the “side” roads meant to be two-way streets are only big enough for a single car.

●    Insurance with rental cars in Spain

Everyone in any country who intends to rent a car ponders whether they should take the rental agency’s insurance. Motorists in Spain are not concerned with body damage to their vehicles.

For one, having bodywork in the country is relatively inexpensive, so people feel it’s not a big deal to get the repairs. Others simply let them go since they’ll likely get more on the tiny roads or maneuver around careless motorists.

It’s wise to consider options with insurance to see what will work best for your circumstances but having coverage is vital. A rental agency’s full coverage policy will cover anything that happens to the vehicle. It is expensive, and you need to learn if there’s a deductible.

●    Rental Auto Fuel Policy

When comparing rental agencies, the fuel policy is one component that you need to go over thoroughly. Many companies provide a full tank car and anticipate that you will fill the tank before dropping off the vehicle.

Others expect the tank to be empty when returned. In either situation, read the fine print and choose which you prefer with careful forethought. You can end up paying a considerable price for gas otherwise.

●    Age minimum

The minimum legal age for driving in Spain is 18. Most rental car providers set their minimum age for renting a vehicle to 21. Anyone under 25 years of age has the potential for being charged a “young driver fee” payable with pickup.

Those older than 65, 70, or 75 will find they could be held accountable for purchasing full coverage from the agency depending on the company. While these are added expenses for young and senior drivers, the car hire provider attempts to protect them from risk.

●    The duration you can hire an auto in Spain

Many providers will allow only the maximum 28-day rental capacity. There could also be limits on daily hires per your credit card insurance coverage. These details need to be confirmed ahead of booking.

Some companies will rent for extended periods, but once the 28th day is passed, the daily rate significantly increases, and there’s a clause in the contract that the car must be brought back every “2000 km.”

Providers do this so they can inspect the auto for any mechanical defects, make necessary repairs, and possibly replace the car with a different one with you.

What Do You Need To Rent A Car In Spain

When booking a car hire for Spain, you’ll need to ensure that you have all the proper documentation required by the rental agencies. Depending on your country of origin, it will be necessary to obtain an International Driving Permit (Non-EU country).

Upon arrival, that will need to be on your person to pick up your rental car. It will also need to remain with your driving license any time you operate a motor vehicle. Also, the rental documentation will need to stay in the glove box if there is a question from the authorities. Some other rental car requirements include:

1. Possible fee for being under the age of 25; need to be at least 21 in order to hire a car
2. Major credit card – rental contract client’s name must match the name on the card
3. Driving license (valid)
4. Passport for the person driving
5. International Driving Permit (Non-EU country)

It’s essential to be prepared with all the adequate documentation, so booking a car will be a straightforward process. Again, it can’t be stressed enough; it’s wise to make these arrangements at least a few weeks before the scheduled holiday to work through any potential problems that might arise.

That way, when you arrive in Spain, everything should go smoothly with picking up the hired car so you can go on to enjoy your holiday.

Final Thought

The indication is travelers need to be ready for the “adventure of a lifetime” when hiring a rental car and going on holiday in Spain. Drivers are not necessarily concerned about other motorists on the roadway, as you can gather from their lack of concern over dings, scratches, and dents to the bodies of their cars. People drive fast, and they follow the rules on a good day.

It could be very eye-opening for those from non-EU countries not used to this type of driving style. Remember to try to be as cautious as possible, especially if you were stingy with the insurance purchase. Any damages could cost you significantly with the car hire provider.

That doesn’t mean you should spend your time in the lovely country fretting over driving with your rental car. There is so much to see and do. The priority is to enjoy the road trips and the freedom of being able to go and do anything you choose independently.

That can include a sudden detour off the beaten path or enjoying the brilliant culture of a tiny village where public transport would be unwilling to go. There’s no other way to enjoy Spain but to drive along the roadways taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Biswajit Raskhit

Biswajit Rakshit is a professional blogger and writer. He loves to write on various topics.