Posted on October 10, 2011 by Fiona Hilliard

If  you’re about to pick up car hire in Malaga (or indeed anywhere in Europe) for the first time, you may want to prepare yourself for some nasty hidden charges.  These charges may not be enforced by all car rental companies, but they are worth knowing about all the same…especially when they can be so easily avoided!

Premium Station Fee:

Tax added on to car hire rates for vehicles picked up at an airport or major train station.

The tax ranges from 15 percent (Italy) to 20 percent (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). It may also be a flat fee (this occurs in the UK, Spain and France).

Tip:  Once your flight or train arrives, jump in a cab to an off-airport car hire location. Depending on the airport location, these may only be around 5km away. The tax only applies to pickups, so you are free to return your car to the airport or train station without charge.

Border Crossing:

One way rentals in countries in Western Europe are free – e.g. if you pick up car hire in Rome and drop it off in Florence. However if you drop your car off in another country, you may be hit with this charge.

Tip: Shop around, fees vary by company and country.

Road Tax/Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF):

Most European car rental companies pass on the cost of vehicle permits and licences as a type of tax or fee.

Tip:

This tax is unavoidable, but if you book through a reputable agency, you’ll be quoted taxes and fees along with the rate, so you won’t get a suspiciously cheap rate.

Late Return

If you are over 29 minutes late, some companies charge you for an extra day.

Tip: Always return the car before its drop-off time.

Winter Tyres

Drivers travelling to winter/icy destinations should always reserve winter tyres in advance.

Tip: In countries such as Germany, there is a mandatory charge for winter tyres in cold weather, so it is worth checking if the total cost including the fee is worth it.

Pick up Empty/Return Full

If you said that you would fill the tank before you returned the car, you may be hit with an additional charge on top of the per-litre rate that the car company will charge.

Tip: Always fill up the tank before dropping it off and keep a receipt as proof.