Frequently Asked Questions

Online Car Rental Booking

  • What do I need to know about Insurance?

    Most of our basic rental charge includes the following coverages: Collision Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Insurance & Theft Protection.  This cover has an excess between ISK 250000 - ISK 450000 depending on the category of the vehicle you have selected.  For full information relating to our covers and terms of cover, please review our Protection and Insurance Options page

  • I don't want any unpleasant surprises at check out - are there any compulsory additional taxes or surcharges?

    Your rental quote takes into account all charges corresponding to your reservation criteria. The list of these charges is printed on the reservation confirmation. The rates are guaranteed for the rental associated with the confirmed booking. Only specific compulsory charges such as Airport, Ecological surcharges (when excluded from the product) and country governmental taxes may change before the renting period starts.

  • Can I check rates without making a reservation?

    You may request a quotation and check vehicle availability without making a reservation. Complete only the entry page on our website and click on “Continue”. If you wish to make a reservation at this time and with these details simply continue by pressing the "Search" button.

  • How will I know that my reservation is confirmed?

    At the end of the reservation process you will receive a "Reservation Confirmation" page with the reservation number highlighted. You will also receive a confirmation e-mail containing the details of your reservation. You should save these to your phone or print out and keep them for your records.

  • Is it possible to modify / cancel my reservation after it is confirmed?

    Pre-paid reservations can only be amended or canceled by contacting our customer services by phone tel +354 461 6000 during office hours on weekdays (9am - 5pm GMT). Please note that the cancelation policy of this website may apply to your booking. Note that you can ONLY modify or cancel the reservations which have been made online by yourself on this website. For changes to reservations made via a Travel Agency, Tour Operator or Car Rental Broker site please contact the relevant agent. You will receive a confirmation of amendment or cancellation by e-mail. You should print these and keep them for your records.

  • Can I book additional extras or equipment online?

    Yes, you can book additional extras online. These items can be requested in step 3 (Choose Extras) at the time of reservation on the rate quote page. They involve extra cost and are subject to availability.

  • How do you protect my personal and credit card information online?

    The online reservation service is located on a secure server that guarantees the safety of a transaction. This website uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encrypting technology. SSL works by encrypting all communications between your computer and our server so the information cannot be intercepted. We do not process your payment details ourselves. When entering the payment step in our booking engine you will be connected to Valitor’s online Secure Payment System (SPS) that utilises up to date and reliable payment processing technology for secure online payment.

  • How is my rental rate calculated?

    Your total rental rate is calculated based on the information provided at the time of booking. The quoted total rate will include any extras you select during the booking process. Our counter agents will review all charges with you to ensure that your total charges meet with your approval when you pick up your car.

  • How can I locate the closest Europcar Location?

    There are many rental locations around Iceland at your service. To view the full list of Europcar Car Rental locations in Iceland click here.

  • What vehicles are available in a given station?

    All the vehicles available at a given station are displayed in Step 2 of the Reservation screen on our site. The available cars are displayed according to their immediate confirmation. Some car groups and/or extras can not be booked within 48h.

  • Do you offer Winter Tires?

    From November 1st until April 15th our cars come equipped with studded winter tires. Exception from this could be, but not necessarily, certain models (such as electric vehicles) intended for use in the Reykjavík capital area only.

  • Do you offer Chauffeur driven service?

    Yes, we provide chauffeur driven service. Please contact us for details.

  • Can I have a confirmation of the vehicle I want?

    If the chosen car is in the immediate booking part, it is automatically confirmed. The confirmation is about the category only. Please observe that we only guarantee the category reserved and not the model.

Rental Process Information

  • Is there a minimum age for renting a vehicle?

    • To rent/drive a passenger car or an SUV one must be at least 20 years old and have held a driver's license for at least one year.

    • To rent/drive a Luxury car, Motorhome, and certain groups of Camping vehicles the minimum age is 23 years, and a driving license held for at least one year.

    • To rent/drive a bigger vehicle (i.e. large people carrier) which according to law at any given time requires an extended driver license one shall present an appropriate and valid license at the start of the rental.
  • What documents do I need to present at the counter when I pick up my car?

    You will need to present to our customer representative:

    • Your normal driving license, issued by your country of residence (N.B. For license holders from the UK, where the driving license is issued in 2 parts, both parts of the license need to be presented) and held for at least one year. It will be requested at every rental. Note that your International Driving License is valid only if accompanied by your normal Driving License. Driving Licenses must be valid.
    • Your passport will also be required according to Icelandic law for car rentals.
    • Your valid credit card with an expiry date after the due check-in date or a valid Europcar charge card. If you use a Europcar prepaid voucher as means of payment (with a specified value or the mention 'Group & Days apply'), you must also present a credit card for those charges which have not been prepaid (such as extras, refueling charge, excess due in the event of damage to or loss of the rented vehicle). Please check the list of accepted credit cards in the country rental conditions.

    NOTE: Points 1) and 2) are applicable to all additional drivers, if any.

  • Do I need to check the condition of the vehicle prior leaving the location?

    Yes, you have to check that the vehicle condition report reflects the actual vehicle condition. If an apparent defect is not listed, please proceed to a joint examination of the vehicle with our employee, in order to update the rental agreement.

  • May I use my credit card coverage?

    Some credit cards may entitle their holders to a degree of cover for damage to, or loss of, the rental vehicle. We are happy to recognize such cards and for the card-holder, in such a case, not to avail himself of the protections set out above and to stand liable for any damage to, or loss of, our vehicle.

    Please however be aware of the following:

    • If you choose to be covered by your card and decline our protections, you are also declining the recovery service from liable third parties.
    • The extent of coverage provided by credit cards varies and is usually subject to certain restrictions, in particular concerning the maximum length of rental and the type of vehicle which can be covered.
    • We strongly advise you to contact your Credit Card organization before rental and provide details/proof of your coverage when arriving at the at the rental location.
  • My driving license has been stolen; can I present a theft declaration instead?

    Under certain restrictive conditions, the declaration of theft or loss of the license may be accepted if the issue date is sufficiently recent in terms of local legislation and if the local conditions are fulfilled (to be checked locally).

     

  • Can I book a vehicle and pay for it even if I won't be the person who picks it up and drives it?

    No, the Credit Card holder who pays the booking has to be the main driver (renter) as this will be mentioned on the rental agreement.

  • If I have forgotten my driving license, can I nevertheless take the vehicle?

    No. A driving license is mandatory for renting a vehicle.

  • What do I need to provide for renting a luxury or special vehicle?

    For luxury and special models two credit cards (including at least one major credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club) may be required and an authorization will be requested on each.

  • What is a Rental Agreement?

    The rental agreement is the formal contract, signed by Europcar and the customer (lessee) at the time of check-out, which shows the terms of the rental, and the rate applied.

  • Can the station agent explain the vehicle's controls to me?

    When picking up your rented vehicle, feel free to ask the station agent to explain to you its main controls.

  • Do I need to check the condition of the vehicle prior leaving the keys at the counter?

    Yes, and if you found a new apparent defect (not listed on the rental agreement at time of pick up) you have to inform our employee for a joint examination. Even if no accident occurred the vehicle may have been damaged during the rental and this has to be indicated to our staff at the return. If an accident occurred during the rental you must declare it and give the documentation.

  • Can I extend the rental duration?

    Extending the rental duration is possible at the time of check-out or during the rental itself (according to our acceptance). You have to contact or come in person to our nearest rental location. The extension is subject to vehicle availability and extra payment. A complementary authorization may be requested on your credit card.
    CAUTION: Remember that you are only covered for the period mentioned in your printed rental agreement.

  • What methods of payment are accepted by Europcar in Iceland?

    Credit Cards: We accept major credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa. Credit cards are accepted to the limits authorized by the credit card company. Debit cards are NOT accepted at the time of reservation or rental. Europcar charge cards and Full Credit vouchers are accepted throughout the network; on their own, they permit the rental of most vehicle categories. Europcar prepaid vouchers (with a specified value or the mention Group Days Apply) are accepted as means of payment of the rental charges, but they must be accompanied by a credit card for the charges which have not been prepaid (extras, refueling charge, excess due in case of damage to or loss of the rented vehicle).

  • Can I return a vehicle to another station than the one where I rented it? How much does it cost?

    If you want to return the vehicle to a different station from the station where you start your rental, just choose the corresponding stations when you “start a quote” on the first page of our website. The system will automatically answer you if the route you have chosen is possible and the corresponding price including the one-way charge, if any. Domestic one-ways are only possible inside the country between all stations.

  • What happens if the one-way isn't authorized but I do not return the vehicle to the departure station?

    If you return the vehicle to a different station when you have booked on a rate that does not allow the one-way, you will be charged a higher rate.

  • Can I return the vehicle outside the location opening hours?

    Yes, you may return your vehicle when the location is closed, but please check return facilities when picking up the car. That is to say, please ask if a key return box is available at the check-in station.
    CAUTION: The vehicle will remain your responsibility until it has been checked by our representative.

  • Can payment be made at a given station and the car rented at another one?

    No. The renter must be qualified at the pick-up location with his own form of payment, valid driving license, passport and meet the minimum age requirements. The invoice is issued by the entity of the pick-up location.

  • What happens if I return the car late?

    In most cases, our rates are daily rates where a day is considered as 24 hours, counted from the time the rental starts. If you return the car late, your rate will be recalculated, adding an extra day for each additional 24 hours you have kept the car. Each 24 hour period started counts as a whole rental day. In fact we offer you 30 minutes grace period after the 24 hours are up, just to give you a bit more time. So a rental of 24 hours and 30 minutes still counts as a one day rental.

    IMPORTANT: Remember that your insurances only cover you for the period mentioned on the Rental Agreement you made when you picked up the car. So if you decide to return the car later than first planned, please drop into the rental station (or call) to amend the Rental Agreement.

  • Fines: Parking Tickets, Road-Tolls & Traffic Violations

    Parking tickets, road-tolls and any traffic violations are the responsibility of the renter who must pay them before returning the vehicle. Congestion charges or fines received by us after the rental will be charged directly to the renter, including a surcharge for late payment, if there are any. A local administration fee applies: this will be charged in addition to the fines.

  • Do I need to return the car with a full tank?

    Vehicles are supplied with a full tank of fuel and you should return the vehicle with a full tank. Otherwise, you will be charged for missing fuel at the end of the rental. Our rates do not include fuel. Refueling charge applies.

    Always make sure that you use the right type of fuel!

    Charges apply when incorrect fuel has been added to the rented vehicles fuel tank. This includes workshop hours and any damages to the vehicle’s mechanism. Towing cost and vehicle replacement related to breakdown or damage is the driver´s responsibility.

  • Charging Policy

    Electric Vehicles should be charged to at least 75% upon return, otherwise Charging & administration fee may apply.

  • Smoking and Vaping Policy

    Our fleet is 100% smoke-free. All types of smoking are prohibited in our cars, including vaping. A cleaning fee will be charged if the non-smoking policy is violated.

  • Lost items

    If you need to contact us regarding any lost items, please call or contact us thru this web page and we will do our very best to help you reclaim your lost item. However, please note that we can accept no liability for items left in the vehicle at the end of the rental.

  • Driving Restrictions

    Driving outside marked trails is prohibited and is subject to nature conservation law. Driving rental cars on roads or tracks with no road number is forbidden. Passenger cars and 2WD vehicles are strictly forbidden on roads marked with an F on public maps, as well as driving Kjölur (road 35) or Kaldidalur (road 550). Driving on F-roads is only allowed on 4X4 (four-wheel drive) jeeps that Höldur car rental agrees as appropriate for being driven on such roads.

    You can learn more about driving in Iceland here.