If you know you'll want to drive when you’re abroad, check whether the country you're travelling to needs an international drivers' licence for car rental. If you find that you need one, you can easily apply for one at a post office, or through the AA, however should you apply for your international driving licence through the AA it can take more than ten working days to be processed from the date of receipt.

When you leave for your holiday, make sure you have all the relevant licences and identity documents with you and you will definitely need a credit card, too. Also check the legal requirements for age, and the amount of time you've held a licence. As you may find that some car hire firms have a minimum age, they tend to favour the over 25. Some countries also set a maximum age (in Spain, the maximum age to rent a car is 79). If you don't fit the requirements you will find it hard to hire a car. When hiring a car you can usually pick one up from your arrival at the airport, as larger airports have airport car rental outlets belonging to the major global car hire companies.

The first thing you need to do is to check the car over to make sure there's no damage it is best do this with an employee from the car rental company before you sign any documents. Also when you return the car, do the same thing and check for damages, also make sure it's noted in writing that you've returned the car with no damage this way you have concrete evidence should a dispute about damages should ever occur. In some countries, you're also liable for any defects in the car such as worn tyres or brakes, so be careful to check.

In some European countries it's a legal requirement to have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit and other safety items in the car, so if you're renting in Europe, check to see that the car has everything it should contain by the law of the country, as the police will hold you responsible as you are the driver.

Make sure you are aware of what the agreements are for fuel, such as do you have to return the car with a full tank of petrol? If so keep all your petrol receipts to prove you filled the car up on return, that way if you have solid evidence to back up your claims if the car hire says otherwise.

Make sure you have adequate insurance and if in doubt cover the car as comprehensively as you can afford. If possible, go for a comprehensive damage cover and check to see what the policy you're offered actually covers, because sometimes car rental insurance excludes damage to tyres, rims, and even stone chipping damage, which could be something to be concerned about in some areas! And of course make sure you're covered for theft.

Be careful that you don't get stung by unexpected charges when you rent a car abroad. As you may find that you have to pay extra for additional drivers, hidden VAT charges, costs of cleaning the car, for car accessories such a child car seat.