Car Rental Return: What to do When You Return Your Car

Returning your rental car doesn’t have to be a hassle. Checking the vehicle over carefully, making sure all your belongings are out of it, and getting the right paperwork from the agency when you leave is as simple as a short list of to-do items. Make sure you do these things carefully—in fact, create a checklist for yourself—and you won’t have problems at the car rental return counter.

Before you even get there, though, make sure you fill the tank with gas before you even reach the car rental return. The rental companies charge a lot of money per gallon, so don’t get caught in that trap. Make sure the tank is as full as when you picked the car up.

Check the Car

When you give the car back to the agency, make sure you have checked it over for damage and belongings. When you’re tired from a long trip and looking forward to standing in another line, it’s easy to overlook this—don’t. Here is a quick way to look it over.

Check the inside, back seat first. Push the front seats up and lean them forward. Reach under the seat for items that might have slid or rolled under. Brush out dirt and debris as you go, pick up small, loose items that look like they might go to something that belongs to you, especially if you have gone on a trip with children. Be sure to check the shelf behind the back seats and wherever things can fall between seat cushions. When all’s clear, push the seats back and lean them back.

Check the front seats. Reach under the seats, brush off debris, and collect small items again. Check between the seat and the console, as well as inside the glove compartment and console. Check the top of the dashboard and flip the visors down.

Check the outside. Your rental agreement should have a place for listing damage to the vehicle before you got it. Walk around the car and compare the illustration. Make sure you know if there is damage before the agents do—that way you can tell them and they are aware that you know exactly where the scratches are.

Make sure you take your rental agreement and all personal information with you—don’t leave any information behind at the car rental agency. And remember, don’t leave without your receipt!