Renting a car overseas
By Melanie Chambers • Bankrate.com
Get an International Driver's Permit
In many countries, a valid Canadian driver's licence is sufficient
to get you behind the wheel. However, others may require an International
Drivers Permit, or IDP, which includes a multilingual translation
of your Canadian licence. Some countries that require an IDP include
England, Japan, Russia and India.
According to Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Canada's travel website,
many rental agencies may request an IDP even though the country
does not require it. To find out which countries require an IDP,
check the Foreign Affairs website.
In Italy, for instance, rental agencies do not require
an IDP, but if you were pulled over, a police officer might ask
for your IDP. It's a good backup to have, and it's easy to get.
You can pick up an IDP from any
Canadian Automobile Association office; just bring a valid licence
and two passport-sized photos. The permit costs $15.
That's cheap -- or is it?
To rent an economy-sized car for one week in Italy, it costs $170.
But the costs don't stop there.
To start, if you plan on dropping the car off in a different location from where you picked it up, it's another $65.
If you're picking up the car at the airport, there's an airport service charge of $50. Add to that a physical damage waiver
($10 a day), road tax ($2.50 per day), $10 theft protection and a value added tax of 20 per cent, and your grand total is about $600.
"It's very expensive to rent a car in Europe," says Wood. "In Europe there are more accidents -- little fender benders, parking
and driving in roundabouts."
Rules of the road
It seems obvious, but before you go, find out about the rules of the road. I wasn't prepared for driving in a roundabout until I arrived in
Italy. Italian drivers don't wait to let others into the circular roadway -- it's every driver for herself.
You should also some research about the kind of drivers you'll be encountering. For example, I learned that Italians don't have
a good safety record; in fact, each year, about 300,000 people are injured and 9,000 die on the roads according to the Association of Families
of Traffic Accident Victims. Knowing this will also influence the kind of insurance you buy.
A word on speeding
Don't assume that because you're in another country that a speeding ticket from abroad won't show up on your doorstep when you get home. In fact,
many rental companies will not only add the cost of the ticket to your credit card, but they will charge an administration fee as well.
If you didn't pay with a credit card, the company will give your contact information to the local authorities. So, your best bet
is to obey the rules of the road, even if the Ferrari next to you is driving double the limit!
Melanie Chambers is a freelance writer, and honorary Italian driver, based in London, Ont.
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