What happens if you get a parking ticket with a hire car?
When you rent a car, you agree to certain responsibilities. One relates to parking fines. Buckle up and learn more today.
Hiring a car can be a great way to get around, whether for work, pleasure or other commitments. That's partly because of its simplicity: paperwork, valeting and MOTs are all done for you. Your job is simply to drive.
Well, yes and no. While it's true that the rental company owns the car and deals with all related admin, you, as a renter, are still bound to an agreement. And in that agreement, you'll read that any parking tickets or other fines must be paid by you.
As in all areas of the law, ignorance is, alas, no excuse. If you park in the wrong place or outstay your allotted time, it's your job to pay up, whether you knew about the regulation or not.
The situation is different when it comes to breakdowns and accidents. These will be covered by the insurance policy. This is typically provided by the rental company – but not all rental insurance policies are equal.
What happens when you get a parking ticket in a hire car?
If you get a parking ticket in a hire car, it's your responsibility to pay it. This will be set out in the agreement you sign when you begin the hire period.
What happens if you don't pay a parking fine?
If you don't pay a parking fine, the amount may go up. This is to cover court costs. In the worst-case scenario, bailiffs will be sent to your home to take your possessions to cover the costs.
As if these weren't reasons enough to pay your fine on time, you should also remember that an unpaid parking fine can affect your credit rating. This can have unwelcome consequences down the line when trying to borrow money for a mortgage or other large purchase.
Why do people get parking tickets?
In the UK, there are three main reasons why people get parking tickets. The first is parking on double yellow lines. These road markings tell you that you can't park by the kerb at any time or for any reason.
The second is when people park in restricted areas: bus lanes, for instance, or by school entrances. These areas are usually restricted to keep pedestrians and other road users safe.
Finally, parking tickets are issued when people exceed time limits in car parks. This is one reason why you should always check your allotted time on the app, parking meter or road sign.
Who issues parking tickets?
In the UK, parking tickets or PCNs can be issued by a number of different bodies. These are:
- Local authorities
- Private car park operators
- Private parking operators
- The police
- The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
- Landowners
The precise way the ticket is issued may differ, but the principle is the same in each case. You need to pay up or challenge the fine if you believe it was issued unfairly. In a hire car, this is your responsibility – not the rental company's.
Other scenarios that can (but hopefully won't) happen
What happens if you break down in a hire car?
Almost all reputable car rental companies offer breakdown cover. Some will include it in the hire charge. Others will add it as an extra.
In either case, the first thing to do in the event of a breakdown is to pull over to a safe location and ring the assistance number provided to you by the rental company (in our case, RAC).
The roadside assistance company will tell you what to do next. It's important that you make a note of what happened and that you don't pay for any repairs, as these will be covered by the rental company.
What happens if you're involved in an accident in a hire car?
You should treat an accident in a hire car like any other accident. Your first step should be ensuring your own safety by moving to a safe location, turning on hazard lights and calling emergency services if necessary.
Next, you should exchange information with the other driver. You'll need to make a note of their contact details, insurance details and registration number. You should also note down a brief account of what happened.
You should then contact your insurance company and your rental car company. Exactly what happens next will depend on your rental agreement.
Every rental agreement outlines your responsibility for damage to the rental car. The amount may be covered by your insurance, or you may have to pay an excess fee.
It will also depend on whether you took out a collision damage waiver (CDW). This is an agreement with the rental company that reduces your financial responsibility for damage to the car to a specified amount. It's typically an insurance product you buy separately from the hire charge.
What if your hire car is broken into?
If your hire car is broken into, you should contact the rental company and the police. Once these bodies have been contacted, you should check your rental agreement and your own insurance policy to see if you're liable to cover any costs.
Your responsibility will depend on the rental agreement. This is one key reason why it's so important to work with a reputable rental company – and why you should always read the rental agreement before leaving the forecourt.
It's important to cooperate with both the police and the rental company to avoid unnecessary complications. It can help to document the damage with photos, videos and written notes.
You follow a similar process if your hire car is damaged, even if it's just a small bump or scratch. Take notes, notify the relevant bodies and check your agreements.
Are you looking for a rental car to get you from A to B in the northeast of England? At MVH, our
rental vehicles are fully valeted and come with RAC breakdown cover as standard. Call today for a quote on 0191 4888 700 or
explore our fleet online.
