Booking a Cape Town car rental is an important part to consider when planning to visit the city. Driving through the beautiful landscapes and the scenic beach routes will make it clear that the vacation mood has been unlocked.
However, to ensure that the process goes smoothly, there are a few things to consider and documents to put together.
Things you need to know when booking a Cape Town car rental
Booking and payment process
Firstly, to hire a car in South Africa, you need to be 18 years and older with a valid driver’s license.
You can rent a car at a rental company of your choice telephonically or online. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you do not have to worry about paying for your car in advance. You can pay the deposit upon collection, which also allows you to inspect the car for any already existing damages, and although most car rentals require a credit card, some do allow debit cards.
Upon collection, the rental company will hold an authorised amount that is above the initial cost, this amount is there to pay for any additional charges that might occur when you return the car. The extra amount paid will depend on the specific car rental.
Insurance waivers
There could be hidden costs that you might be unaware of when it comes to how much there is for you to pay, in the case of damage and theft. There are different waivers that determine how much will be paid in such situations.
Some companies might have more waivers to choose from. And please note that waivers are not insurance but an agreement between the rental company and the renter that limits the amount claimed in case of loss or damage.
- Standard waiver: It comes with a lower rental cost but, the excess amount paid in case of loss or damage will be higher.
- Super waiver: This one comes with a high daily rental rate but, the amount of pain should any theft or loss occur will be lower.
Documents you need when collecting your rental car
Once you have done all the preparation, these are the documents you will need when collecting your car.
- A valid driver’s license. For international license holders the documents must be in English
- Your passport
- A credit card (must not be a debit or cheque card).
- If there are any additional drivers make sure to have their licenses and passports as well.
With all of this this information you should be able to enjoy Cape Town in style.