Charges at Pick-Up

When you collect a hire car, you may come across these charges, depending on the rental company and your booking.

Common charges

• Your rental cost: most bookings on DriveNow use a pay on collection rate. If yours does, you pay the rental balance directly to the rental company when you collect the car. See making payment.
• Security bond: a hold or deposit on your card, as security for extra charges such as damage, fines or fuel. See security bond.
• Cover options: rental companies usually offer several types of cover. Our insurance and excess reduction guide explains how to choose. You may be offered:
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): reduces your liability if the car is damaged in an accident.
  • Theft Protection (TP): covers theft of the car.
  • Third-party liability cover: covers damage to other people's property or injury to others in an accident.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): covers medical costs for you and your passengers.
• Fuel charges: most rental companies expect you to return the car with a full tank, unless you pre-purchased fuel or your agreement says otherwise. If you don't refuel, they charge for refuelling, usually at a higher rate than a service station. See petrol.
• Additional driver fees: each extra driver may cost more. The fee varies between rental companies, and some waive it in some cases. See additional drivers.
• GPS, car seats and other equipment: rental companies may charge for extras such as a GPS, a child seat or a wi-fi device. See optional extras.
• Young driver fee: many rental companies charge extra if you are under a certain age, usually 25. See age restrictions.
• One-way fee: if you collect the car in one place and return it in another, the rental company may charge a one-way fee.
• Tolls and traffic fines: tolls you use and fines you get during the hire may be charged after you return the car. See toll roads and charges.

Read the rental agreement carefully at pick-up so you understand every charge, and ask if anything is unclear. Check which charges you pay now and which are settled when you return the car.

Next steps

• Required documents for pick-up: what to bring to the counter
• Unexpected additional charges: charges that can arrive after you return the car

Part of Picking Up Your Car in the Car Hire Handbook.