Are you considering renting a car? This article brings you the essential tips to consider when picking-up and dropping-off the Car Rental. Whether you are a first-time customer or frequent Car renter in Uganda, the procedure of picking and dropping off vehicles tends to be tricky sometimes. Therefore, here are the essential car rental pick-up and drop-off tips;
Important tips when picking up the rental car
Carry the essential documents
Regardless of how much money you are willing to pay, the Car rental Company has the right to deny you the vehicle if you don’t fulfill some important requirements. For this reason, don’t forget to carry a valid driver’s license, passport of any other valid ID as well as the Credit Card when picking up the Rental Car.
Read and understand the Car Rental Agreement before signing it
At the time of picking the Rental Car, it is important to go through the agreement and make sure you understand each clause before signing it. In the agreement are terms and conditions of the Car Rental, which you have to understand before jumping into putting pen to paper.
The Reservation voucher
Having booked your Rental car already, one of the most important things to pay attention to is the reservation voucher, which provides detailed information on your booking, pick-up and drop-of day, all required documentation, insurance included and other important information. This Voucher has to be presented at the Car rental office.
Payment of security deposit on the Rental Car
Another essential tip for Car Rental pick-ups is related to security deposits, which is money paid to the Company during the Rental period, for purposes of guarantee. However, this shouldn’t worry you as it is not charged as a purchase and is withheld only when the Car is with the client. The full amount is refunded when the car is dropped to the Car Rental Company in a good condition as it was taken. For clarification on Car Rental security deposits, please don’t hesitate to reach us.
Always sort fuel and mileage before taking the Car
Some Car Rental Companies have full-to-full fuel policies while others don’t. However, fuel tanks can be half full or less hence it is always important to work it out with the paperwork. For this reason, feel free to ask from the Car Rental counter whether the Car uses diesel or petrol. Also, don’t forget to check if there’s a mileage limit because some drivers that don’t pay attention to these details get charged extra for driving over a limit they initially didn’t know about.
Also, always inquire on how to use Car features like GPS, Alarm systems, radio, lights and others in you don’t know to avoid breaking them while trying to forcefully operate them,.
Essential tips for car Rental drop-offs
Rental Car inspection
Before you hand over the rental car, their staff will ensure that it is not damaged, scratched or bent in anyway, compared to when they do during pick-up. For this reason, you also have to be keen on inspecting the car before driving off, with photo evidence to avoid been pinned for something you didn’t do. Make sure that you inspect the car together with the Company staff as proof of its condition (this is especially important during unstaffed after-hours’ drop-offs). If possible, go with the copy of the final conditional report and keep it safely until you have received your credit card statement.
Check the drop-off grace period, if any
Some Uganda car rental companies give a grace period of dropping the Car (in terms of time) and it is important to always check and note it because you might be charged an extra fee for going beyond the indicated time.
Fuel tank
Depending on how your reservation was made (full tank or empty), it is always essential to check the fuel level before dropping off the Rental Car. One important factor to note is that Companies have different terms and conditions, whereby some will require a full tank when the car is being dropped off while others don’t. Just check with the Company’s rules and comply accordingly.
The return receipt
When dropping off the Rental Car, the Company’s staff will also print out a receipt, as proof of returning the Vehicle with the exact dates and time. Make sure that this receipt is kept safely to avoid being implicated later.
