There may come a time when you need to rent a car for use on vacation or when your car is in the shop. Whatever the situation might be, it’s vital to know the ins and outs of renting a car, which can help you, avoid the most common hidden fees that rental agencies charge.

The limited additional drivers; will you be the only driver or is there anyone else in your party taking the wheel at times during your safari. In case you are sharing driving duties, you may have to include additional names on the rental agreement, which could increase the cost. Age is a factor, as drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 are more expensive. The best thing is to keep the number of drivers to a minimum to avoid supplementary fees and stress.

Review your car insurance policy; while rental reimbursement insurance covers the real cost of a rental car, it doesn’t protect the rented vehicle in the event of an accident. But before accepting the insurance option offered to you by the rental agent, check with your agent to see if your personal car insurance includes collision and the comprehensive coverage. In case you already have this coverage on your regular vehicle, there is a good chance it will transfer to a rental car to be sure to check your policy.

Get some education on travel policies; taking your rental car outside Uganda. You must check for restrictions or additional fees. About renting in a car beyond Uganda? Know that many insurance policies don’t give coverage abroad.

You need to fill up before returning; the rental companies often need that car be returned with a full tank of gas or they will charge you a substantial fee to refill the tank. Fill up yourself at a gas station near the rental outlet.

About bringing your own accessories; and with gas, rental car companies charge a higher rate often on a daily basis for extras like navigation systems or baby safety car seats. Please bring your own.

The driving safety background checks could block you; in case you’re driving record is not up to par, you can be rejected from renting a car even if you have got a reservation. Some of the rental companies look at your back ground to check for incidents of reckless driving, accidents or seat belt violations. In case your past doesn’t meet company standards, you could be out of luck

The inspection is necessary; make sure that you inspect the car thoroughly before signing the rental contract. You may not want to be accountable for the existing damage. Also, have an employee sign off on any ding, scratch or dent you spot. Many rental companies need you to sign an inspection form, but many people are in a hurry and rush through the process. Take this step seriously.

Try to avoid the costly airport locations. You can consider renting your car at a location away from the airport. Being able to rent and return at the terminal can be a more convenient option, but you can expect to pay for that convenience through the additional airport fees.

Beware of credit card blocks; are you nearing your credit limit or is your bank account balance so low, ask if the rental company puts a block on credit or debit cards, a practice used to ensure that customers have enough money to pay their bills.

About returning on time; you may be surprised to learn that you could be charged extra for returning your rental car early. Bringing the vehicle back ahead of time, later that agreed upon, could result in additional fees. In case you anticipate a change in drop off time, always ask the rental agent about the company policy. You should not wait until it’s too late.