Vehicle hire glossary: the A to Z of car and van rental
Confused by car rental terminology? Keep our glossary to hand and you'll soon know your way around the lingo.
Like any industry, the world of car and van rental has its fair share of jargon.
This jargon serves a purpose. For legal and policy reasons, it's good for everyone to be very precise with the language we use. However, it's not so good for first-time renters who have never heard of a mileage limit, never mind a CDW.
Confused already? Don't be. We've prepared this handy A-Z car rental glossary that will help you navigate the world of vehicle hire like a pro.
Vehicle hire terms and what they mean
Accessories
This term refers to any tools, the spare tyre and other items that the hired vehicle comes with. It also refers to any future replacements.
Additional driver
An additional driver is an additional person the hirer (see below) can name on the rental agreement for insurance purposes.
Only the main driver and other named drivers are legally allowed to drive the rental car. Furthermore, any additional drivers must be present at the pickup time and show their driving license.
Collision damage waiver
A
collision damage waiver(CDW) is an optional agreement where a car rental company waives its right to charge you for certain damages to the rental vehicle. This way, your financial liability is lowered from the full amount to an agreed-upon sum. In case of an accident, theft, or damage to the vehicle's body, you will only be required to pay this sum.
Deposit
Before you're given the keys to the hired car, you will likely be required to pay an amount of money. This is called a deposit.
The hiring company will hold this money as security. If the car is returned damaged or with other issues, the company can use that money to cover the cost of rectifying those issues. Otherwise, this amount will be refunded to you after returning the car.
Excess
Excess is an agreed-upon sum of money that you may have to pay if the hired vehicle sustains any damage or is stolen while you are renting it. The amount will most likely be deducted from the deposit.
Hirer
In the legal documents and contracts relating to your vehicle hire, the hirer refers to the person in whose name the vehicle is rented. In other settings, the same person will be most commonly referred to as the "main driver".
Fuel policy
Vehicle rental companies can have various fuel policies. These relate to the agreed level of fuel that should be in the vehicle's tank when you hire it and when you return it.
Some rental companies offer more than one fuel policy, so you should make sure you choose the one that works best for your circumstances.
Full to full
This is the most common fuel policy. It simply means you should receive the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.
Mileage limit
This refers to the maximum number of miles you can drive in your hired car during the rental period. If you exceed the mileage limit, you may have to pay a fee to the rental company.
Payload
Payload refers to the weight a vehicle carries. Apart from the cargo, this includes all passengers, as well as fuel.
Each vehicle has a specified maximum payload (known as "gross vehicle weight"). You mustn't exceed this maximum, as it could damage the vehicle.
It's especially important to pay attention to payloads if you're hiring a van. If you overpack a van and exceed the payload, you may have to pay a fine.
Surcharges
Surcharges are additional fees that can be charged for various reasons. It's important to pay attention to these, as what looks like a very affordable vehicle rental could end up costing more due to surcharges.
Many surcharges are related to topics we've explored above, such as:
- An additional driver surcharge
- A fuel surcharge for any refuelling needed as a result of not following the fuel policy
- A mileage surcharge, should you exceed the mileage limit
You could also face additional fees for:
- Returning the vehicle to a different location from the one at which you picked it up
- Renting it from an airport
- If you are under or over the standard age, as defined by the rental company
By carefully planning, making sure policies are fair and sticking to them, you should be able to avoid most surcharges.
Feel ready to rent?
We hope that by explaining some of the key car rental terms, we've helped you feel more confident about renting a vehicle.
It's good to know the lingo, sure. But here's the thing: a good vehicle rental firm will be happy to explain this jargon to you when you get in touch.
So, don't be too concerned. Choose a friendly, reputable firm and you should have no trouble navigating the ins and outs of vehicle hire with help from its team.
On which note, we have one last need-to-know term for you:
MVH Rental
MVH Rental stands for trusted
car and van hire in Newcastleand the wider North East. When you choose us, you can expect:
- The best prices locally (we'll match any lower prices, if you can find them)
- A great selection of well-maintained cars and vans
- Above all, a professional and friendly service
You can easily learn about our vehicle hire policies online ahead of time. And as we say, don't worry too much about learning the lingo – we'll be here to help you navigate the rental process from start to finish.
Ready to hit the road? Get in touch online or call 0191 4888 700 to get started.
