I'm pretty comfortable with jetting into an airport, grabbing a hire car and hitting the road. As a travel writer it'd be a bit career-limiting if I wasn't!

But I sure as hell remember the terror that accompanied my first encounter with hiring a car, on what was also my first trip to Kruger.

Collecting the car at Hoedspruit I spent about an hour inspecting the car for any damage that could come back to haunt me… and my credit card, which was now the proud owner of a nice fat insurance waiver.

All in order we hopped in the car and spent the first few nights in the nearby game reserves. Big Five ticked off the list we hit the road — nervously, I'll admit — towards the Blyde River Canyon. Not 50-kilometres down the road a passing truck threw a stone into the windscreen, adding a lovely spider web of cracks on the driver's side.

To cut a long story short it all worked out in the end, and I wasn't charged for damage that wasn't my fault, but that little incident certainly instilled a healthy respect for the car-hire contract.

A rather stressful few days cruising around the island of la Reunion brought that memory back to life a little while back (they drive on the right, and drive like the French), so it was fortuitous that the friendly folks at Europcar SA (formerly Imperial Car Rental) sent around a guide to the basics of hiring a car.

It explains some of the most common areas of confusion, and will hopefully mean you can hop behind the wheel and not have to stress about the hire car for half your holiday. Just remember to watch out for trucks and road-works!

Who can rent a vehicle?
Anyone who is 23 years and over and who has held a valid driver’s license for at least two years. A ‘young driver’ surcharge is levied for renters under the stipulated age.

Additional drivers
Only the person who signed the rental agreement is authorised to drive the vehicle unless a second driver is listed on the rental agreement. An additional driver surcharge is levied to cover the waivers.

What are waivers?
Waivers are not insurance. It is a legal, compulsory agreement between the rental company and the renter which generally limits the claim against a renter in the event of loss of or damage to the vehicle.

The two waiver options are:

  • Standard Waiver: the customer is responsible for an excess amount in case of damage or loss. As the cost for a daily standard waiver is lower the excess amount payable for any damage or loss is higher.
  • Super Waiver: the customer will also be responsible for an excess amount for any damage or loss, but as the cost for a daily super waiver is higher, the excess amount payable for any damage or loss is lower.
Waivers are not honoured by car rental companies in the case of negligence, meaning the customer would be held liable for the full amount of damage (and not just the excess). Examples of this would be to allow an unauthorised person to drive the vehicle, accident due to excess alcohol or the vehicle being stolen when it was left unlocked. It is advisable to treat a rented vehicle as if it is your own.

What are the payment options?
All vehicle renters must have a credit card if they are not travelling on a company account. This enables a holding deposit by car rental companies in the event of any loss or damage to the vehicle. Once the vehicle is returned, without damage, the credit card is refunded within 72 hours, less the invoice amount.

Can one person drive and another pay?
The person who reserved the vehicle (primary driver) must sign the rental agreement and pay with their credit card.

Which is the right vehicle for me?
Vehicles are grouped by features and specifications. Choosing a vehicle group will vary according to what you need. Make sure you consider:

  • Price range: how much can you afford?
  • Climate: is an air conditioner required?
  • Destination: will the vehicle be entering rough terrain?
  • Safety: are ABS brakes or airbags required?
  • Size: how many people and how much luggage?
Rental vehicle groups consist of a number of vehicle brands that have models with similar features. Eg. Toyota Yaris sedan, Polo Playa, Toyota Auris or a Chevrolet Aveo.

What is personal accident insurance?
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) is optional. It is offered at a nominal fee and covers the driver and occupants collectively in the event of an accident.

How is the daily rental charged?
Daily rental charges are calculated in cycles of 24 hours. If a rental vehicle is collected at 9am on Monday and dropped back at 10am on Tuesday, the rental period is two days.

How is fuel/petrol charged?
Rental vehicles are supplied with a full tank of fuel which is topped up to the maximum. There are two options when returning the vehicle. You can fill it up or return it at any fuel level and the hire company will fill it. All refills are charged at the Government legislated fuel price.

How are 'kilometres driven' charged?
The rental rate you have chosen may include a specified amount of free kilometers per day. For example; if you get a rate with 200km’s free per day and you drive 250 kms, you will be charged the ‘per km rate’ for the extra 50km’s only. The per kilometer rate varies depending on the vehicle type.

What is the airport surcharge?
These charges are applicable to all car rental transactions in South Africa. An Airport Surcharge is levied on the daily rental rate of any rental vehicle collected and returned to any of South Africa’s state airports. This fee is paid over to the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA).

Why do I pay a tourism levy?
A compulsory Tourism Levy of one percent on the daily rental rate is paid to TOMSA (Tourism Marketing Levy for South Africa). The funds are used to promote and develop tourism in South Africa.

Can I cross the border?
Certain vehicles may enter neighboring South African countries, but over-border rules do apply and fees are applicable. Your intention to cross a border must be reported prior to rental to ensure the required documentation is drawn up by the car rental company and submitted for display at the border.

Additional charges?
Generally, the contract fee is excluded from the daily rate and will be charged for separately. Some other additional charges to remember are:

  • A one-way charge. This is levied for rentals terminating at a different branch to the collection branch if the two branches are over 150kms apart.
  • Delivery and/or collection fee. This is levied if the vehicle must be delivered or collected to or from the customer.
  • Child seat rentals — for children up to seven years old. Remember to specify the child’s age and weight so the correct seat can be provided.
  • GPS navigation unit rentals are available at major airport locations.
  • Hands-free car kit rentals are available at most major airport locations.
  • A traffic fine administration fee will be charged if you incur a fine. The traffic fine will be redirected to you with an admin fee.


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