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Planning to rent a car? Here’s what you need to know

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Did you know that there are nearly one million vehicles on Singapore's roads despite the government's initiatives to reduce the number of cars? And more than 600,000 of those are private and rental cars.

Of course, having one of the most efficient public transport systems in the world, it’s very easy to get around in Singapore using public transportation. However, the stats show that many people still prefer private vehicles.

Why choose rental cars?

A rental car is a great option for you to travel in a private vehicle without needing to own a car. The process of owning a car in Singapore can be intimidating—you will need to commit to substantial monthly expenses and high upfront payments. Also, the value of the car will depreciate yearly.

If your work doesn’t require you to travel every day and you only drive occasionally, a rental car is a more viable option as it is more cost-effective. Besides, who doesn’t like to be free of long-term financial obligations?

What are the pros and cons of renting a car in Singapore?

 Pros Cons 
 It’s affordable for occasional drivers. There is plenty of paperwork involved.
 You get to change your car every year and there is a wide variety of cars to choose from. You need to collect cars during working hours. 
 You don’t have to pay for repairs or car insurance.  Short-term rental rates may not be practical if you’re renting for less than a day.
 You get to lease for a long time.  You are not able to rent the car for hourly or short duration blocks.
 The cars you will be renting will be well-maintained.  You are expected to take good care of the car.

What are the things that you must know before renting?

1) What are the requirements?

Firstly, you need to have a valid driving license, either Class 3 or 3A license. Most car rental companies require you to be between 23 to 70 years old to rent a car, but some operators do allow individuals 21 to 74 years of age, but with higher insurance excess.

However, if your driving license is less than a year, you will be considered a Probation Driver or “P” plate driver. The same rules apply to expats with foreign driving licenses. As an expat, you will need to produce a driving license that is issued by your home country if you wish to drive in Singapore for a year. But if you wish to drive in Singapore for a longer period, you will need to convert your foreign license to a local one.

2) What about car insurance and other fees?

Once you have chosen your car model, read through the terms and conditions in the rental agreement to find out about insurance coverage. You must also pay attention to things like security deposit, the extension of the rental period, cancellation fees, and insurance coverage options. For example, will the car be covered for collision damage waiver or liability coverage?

If you are a Probation Driver with less than a year of driving experience, most rental companies would avoid renting their cars to you. They presume that you pose a higher risk of accidents. On the off chance that they do rent to you, they will probably request a higher insurance premium because they are expected to foot the insurance bills, repair, and maintenance costs.

3) Collecting and returning the car

Bring your license, identification card, deposit, and booking confirmation when collecting the car. And remember to show up half an hour before the pickup time because the collection process can take up between 15 to 30 minutes.

During the collection process, the car will be inspected. Opt to run through a proper takeover so that any scratches, dents, or damages are found and acknowledged by both parties. This is to avoid yourself from being held liable for damages caused by the previous renter.

When returning the car, try to return it 30 minutes earlier to give you ample time to get all your belongings and for the car rental company to process the car.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Other than providing first-class car maintenance services, our team at Carfeels also share useful car maintenance tips! You can find them here. And if your car is due for a service, book an appointment with us now.