Posted on May 26, 2010 by Fiona Hilliard

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When renting a car you’d assume you wouldn’t get busted for breaking the speed limit. Wouldn’t you?  After all, it’s not your car, who’s going to know…?

Assumptions are dangerous things…

Let me explain. If you’re caught making a road traffic offence, you can bet your bottom dollar that your car rental agency will have something to say about it.  Read the small print. The majority of car rental companies  stipulate that road traffic fines are completely the hirer’s responsibility and any fines incurred will be added as charges to your credit card.  As speeding fines are generally sent by post, it’s not always possible for the individual renter to be  traced after the event.  In cases like these, the notice of fine is sent to the hire company, who then tracks you down.

While on the nasty subject of speeding fines, you should probably also know that you, the driver, are responsible for all road tolls and any fines or tickets for violating traffic regulations including congestion charges and parking fees.

It gets worse…some companies might also charge you for the amount of the fine plus a handling fine of up to £30 (€36) as an administration charge for having to deal with all the ins and outs of your case.

The moral of the story?  Treat your rental car as if it was your own…don’t take risks - you won’t get away with it!