8 easy steps for returning your rental car stress-free

1. Check your rental agreement

Refresh your memory with the terms you agreed to before renting the car. In your rental agreement, you’ll typically find the return date and time you agreed to return the vehicle, as well as the rental company’s business hours. You should contact the office if you plan on arriving outside regular operating hours or want to extend your rental. Otherwise, you could risk being charged an additional fee. You’ll typically find the company’s number in the rental paperwork.

2. Plan your driving route

Rental companies charge penalty fees for late car returns, so schedule plenty of time for your drive back to the rental location – including any stops to refuel and clean the car. Online maps can predict travel times but can’t predict unforeseen delays such as traffic due to accidents. If you’re not sure where to go because there’s an accident along your route, or if the drop-off location itself is confusing, call the rental company.

3. Find a nearby gas station

Most rentals have a ‘like for like’ fuel policy. This means that the gas tank will be full when you pick the car up, and you are expected to refill the tank just before you return it. Online maps can help you find a gas station close to where you’re returning the car. When you buy the fuel, get a receipt in case you need to prove that you refilled the tank before arrival. Other fuel policies, such as ‘pre-purchase’ mean you don’t have to bring the car back with a full tank of gas. To check your fuel policy, look at the terms and conditions in your rental agreement or confirmation email.

4. Follow the navigation signs

Most rental car companies are easily found by entering their address into online maps. This information is usually provided in the rental agreement. If you rented your car at an airport, look out for signs reading ‘Car rental returns’ when you’re nearby. These will point you in the direction of the rental company’s drop-off location. If you don’t see any signs, check the drop-off instructions provided on your rental voucher.

5. Take photos of the rental car

Once you’ve safely parked your rental car in the return lot, take a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer located on the interior dashboard. The fuel gauge indicates the amount of gas left in the car, and the odometer tracks its current mileage. It might also be useful to take photos of the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle.

Although not required, these photos might come in handy in case you receive unexpected charges for additional damage, mileage, or missing fuel.

6. Collect your belongings

Take your time and look through the car to make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Empty the trunk of any trash or personal items you may have stashed there. It’s also worth double-checking the glove compartment, door pockets, back-seat pockets and underneath the seats. Apart from your own belongings, it’s also a good idea to take your rental paperwork. These documents will be useful if the company contacts you after the return process.

7. Find the agent in the parking lot

Locate a representative and indicate that you’re ready to return your rented vehicle. They’ll check the car with you, give you the end-of-rental paperwork and take the car key. Once they’re sure everything is fine, they’ll unblock or refund your security deposit. Keep in mind that security deposits can take up to 28 working days to re-appear in your account, depending on your payment method and any pending parking or speeding tickets you may have incurred during the rental period.

8. Leave the car keys in a drop box

If you can’t find an agent in the parking lot, look for a drop box to leave your car keys. It should have the rental company’s name and logo on it. The drop box is useful when no staff members are available or the office is closed. If you can’t see a drop box for car keys, check the office door for information or a phone number.