It may be easy to rent a car – especially from Highway Bakkie Hire – but it’s also a bit too easy to make a number of mistakes when doing so.

4 Car Rental Rules that are Broken Too Often

Keep reading the blog as we reveal some of the most often-made mistakes, which you would be better off avoiding if you want to improve your experience.

Rule #1: Don’t Take the Car Without Inspecting it First

If you want to get your deposit back and avoid incurring any additional costs, you need to make sure the car is returned in exactly the same condition you rented it in. Before you drive off the lot, inspect the car thoroughly with a representative of the rental company, to ensure that there is no damage that you might be held liable for when you bring it back later. Both you and the sales representative should note any pre-existing scratches, dents, broken or faulty interior components, etc.

Rule #2: Don’t Ignore the Rules of the Road

If you should break any rules of the road while you have a rental car, you will be held liable for the resulting fines. As a rule, you should probably drive a little more carefully than you would if you were in your own car.

Now Read What Should I do if I get into an Accident on the Road?

Rule #3: Don’t Let Any Other Drivers Use the Car

The car is rented out to only one person. You are the designated driver. If there are going to be additional drivers, they must be listed at the office before you take the car. If an unlisted alternative driver is behind the wheel when something untoward happens, the rental company, the insurance company and possibly the authorities will all take a very dim view of the matter.

Rule #4: Don’t Cross International Borders

Unless this has been specifically arranged beforehand, do not cross over any borders. You might be taking an HBH rental car across the border to Swaziland, Mozambique or Lesotho, but you would need to be transparent with the rental company as to why you are doing so and be prepared to incur additional costs. If you just drive the car over the border without notice, that would constitute a breach of contract.

Partner with a Car Rental Provider that Plays By The Rules

Highway Bakkie Hire is quite flexible with our rental agreements, provided you talk to us beforehand. Having said that, keeping within the rules and best practices is to both your benefit and ours. Highway Bakkie Hire offers reliable vehicles at reliable prices. Contact us to book your next rental in the Durban area.

Now Read Driving Across the Country? Read This First!