Going abroad with a rental vehicle: the rules of rental companies

It is very often allowed to cross the borders of the country in which you have rented a car, although of course this depends on the renter . Three scenarios are possible:

Authorization to cross borders with your vehicle may also depend on the category or brand of vehicle. Anyway, you will just have to check the general rental conditions in order to know what is possible or not. Also be aware that the countries you can travel to depend on the country of rental . For example, if you rent a car in Germany you may not be able to drive to Croatia, but if you rent it in Slovenia it may be allowed.

GOING ABROAD WITH YOUR SIXT RENTAL VEHICLE

Depending on the Sixt rental country, you may face one of the 3 scenarios listed above. In the European Union, Sixt authorizes, subject to conditions, trips abroad with your rental vehicle . Territorial restrictions vary by country of rental.

Outside the EU, journeys abroad may be subject to obtaining a written agreement from Sixt, as well as the payment of a supplement. Or be simply prohibited . You can discover all the terms country by countryby clicking on this link, then selecting from the drop-down menu the country of rental as well as the type of vehicle you plan to rent. You will then find all the useful and up-to-date information in the section “Travel abroad and territorial restrictions” . Please note: the information provided below is for information purposes only, it is valid as of February 19, 2019 . Please check them out via the link above.

With regard to zone 2, the authorization to cross the borders depends on the rented vehicle. At the time of this writing, all Sixt vehicles can be driven in the following additional countries, except Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen (Poland and Czech Republic are authorized destinations up to and including and cars from the Luxury range, which can only be driven in zone 1 .

RENTAL OUTSIDE FRANCE WITH SIXT

In the event of a rental elsewhere than in France, you will need to read the terms specific to your destination. When you travel outside the European Union, it is not uncommon to have to stay within the borders of the country of rental, but this is not systematic. Bans on crossing borders often concern islands. This is particularly the case in Barbados, the Faroe Islands, Aruba, etc. Sometimes you will need to obtain written approval from Sixt . For example, if you rent a car in Armenia and want to drive to Georgia, you will need to get a written agreement and pay extra.

GEOGRAPHICAL RESTRICTIONS WITHIN THE SAME COUNTRY: THE CASE OF THE USA

The United States may be a federal entity, but you have to treat states as countries . If you rent a car with Sixt in the USA, you usually have the opportunity to drive to neighboring states, but no further. However, there is an exception to this rule forone-way car rental. For example, if you have decided to take a great East Coast/West Coast road trip from New York to Los Angeles, for example, you of course have the right to cross all the States on your itinerary…

Again, you will find the permitted destinations for each rental state in our US rental terms and conditions . For example, if yourent a car in california, Sixt authorizes you to travel in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State, Utah and New Mexico. And if you are renting in the state of Washington, the state of British Columbia of Canada is allowed.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS IF I TRAVEL TO A PROHIBITED DESTINATION?

If the rental company restricts the countries in which you can travel, it is quite simply for insurance reasons. In other words, the vehicle is not covered for prohibited destinations. In the event of a claim, you will therefore be fully responsible .

In some countries, you may be charged a fee by Sixt if you do not comply with these rules . In the United States, it is $0.5 per mile driven in a prohibited state or country.

In addition, in some countries the border police monitor rental vehicles trying to leave the country. It may even be authorized to block cars that attempt to flout the terms of the contract . You could be accused of wanting to steal the vehicle. As you have understood, wanting to break this rule deliberately, or for lack of information, is very dangerous. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, read the terms of your contract carefully before crossing the border with your rental vehicle, and ask for confirmation at the agency when you collect your keys .

HOW TO CROSS THE BORDER, CONCRETELY?

There is nothing special to do, you must have the vehicle papers and your identity documents, as if you were crossing the border with your own car . On the other hand, have the reflex to inform yourself beforehand of the driving rules (speed limits, authorized blood alcohol level, use of the telephone in the car, obligation to drive with the headlights on during the day, etc.) of the country of destination. But also