renting wheels in germany
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That's not really true, it would be against the law to charge you for something that's a legal requirement. If winter tyres are required by law then they'll be fitted, but the new law is largely moot anyway, the hire company insurers have always wanted them to use winter tyres anyway. Chains are just something it's prudent and advised to carry which is why they're an optional extra, roads can be closed to vehicles without chains but that doesn't make them a legal requirement. Winter tyres are the norm' in Germany as it happens.
I have to pick you up on the point I didn't say they were a legal requirement in Germany, I just commented they were the norm' which was just an observation on having lived there for five years. Hire companies will change to winter tyres as standard as if they don't and there's an accident the insurer will claim the car wasn't suitably equipped which is why some of the newer laws about winter tyres are largely moot. If your hire company is charging for something that's on the car anyway that's a bit sharp.
It is against the law to charge for something that's a legal requirement as it means the basic service you're offering isn't of marketable quality, you can't rent a car to someone and then have them stopped by the police for it being illegal as soon as they leave.
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Started by IceGhost in Ski Chatter 24-Sep-2008 - 11 Replies
IceGhost posted Sep-2008
Hey guys Outside of walking for hiring a horse. is there any cheap ways to get a car thats automatic. I don't really want to spend another Euro vacation in train stations and schedules
Uh oh, I think I broke'd the lift
Tony_H
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
You can hire a car at most airports in Europe and they often have automatics as an option. From the UK, you will get the best prices for renting abroad compared at www.travelsupermarket.com but I dont know if you can book if you are US citizen on there.
Fft100
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
When looking at prices, dont forget to check what you get and the price of extras. The price quoted in Germany may be for the vanilla version and if you are going anywhere near a ski resort then you will also need winter tyres and snow chains (legal requirement in places). These can set you back another 20+ euros a day.
If you can fly into Austria instead of Germany then worth doing a price comparison as when i have hired there before the cars are winterfied (or whatever its called) automatically until the end of March.
Also worth noting that some companies charge a large extra wedge for pickup at an airport in Germany (either Avis or Budget wanted 19% when i checked yesterday - at first i thought it was the mwst, but no....). So, if travelling light and you want the car for an extended period, its worth checking out the difference if you pick up the car at an office in town, instead of at the airport.
If you can fly into Austria instead of Germany then worth doing a price comparison as when i have hired there before the cars are winterfied (or whatever its called) automatically until the end of March.
Also worth noting that some companies charge a large extra wedge for pickup at an airport in Germany (either Avis or Budget wanted 19% when i checked yesterday - at first i thought it was the mwst, but no....). So, if travelling light and you want the car for an extended period, its worth checking out the difference if you pick up the car at an office in town, instead of at the airport.
Tino_11
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
I should imagine the wheels are fairly cheap, its the chassis and engine you want to worry about mate!
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Ise
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
fft100 wrote:When looking at prices, dont forget to check what you get and the price of extras. The price quoted in Germany may be for the vanilla version and if you are going anywhere near a ski resort then you will also need winter tyres and snow chains (legal requirement in places). These can set you back another 20+ euros a day.
That's not really true, it would be against the law to charge you for something that's a legal requirement. If winter tyres are required by law then they'll be fitted, but the new law is largely moot anyway, the hire company insurers have always wanted them to use winter tyres anyway. Chains are just something it's prudent and advised to carry which is why they're an optional extra, roads can be closed to vehicles without chains but that doesn't make them a legal requirement. Winter tyres are the norm' in Germany as it happens.
Edited 1 time. Last update at 24-Sep-2008
Fft100
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
sorry ise, but i will have to pick you up on this. Winter tyres are not a legal requirement in Germany. And therefore the car rental companies do not include them in the standard price. For example, if we pick www.avis.de and choose a golf for 29 dec to 5 jan (1 week) in Frankfurt or Munich, we find a price of 305 euro + in the list of possible extras, a set of winter tyres for 125 euro (just under childrens seats). Just checked www.sixt.de for Munich and winter tyres are also in the list of extras at 16 euro a day for tyres and 6.50 a day for chains.
If you rent a car in Austria then i believe they are standard (have been when i rent).
Therefore, it is something to watch out for if, as the OP was planning, you decide to rent a car in germany.
And, i am not sure it is against the law to charge for something that is a legal requirement. look at childrens seats in rental cars.
If you rent a car in Austria then i believe they are standard (have been when i rent).
Therefore, it is something to watch out for if, as the OP was planning, you decide to rent a car in germany.
And, i am not sure it is against the law to charge for something that is a legal requirement. look at childrens seats in rental cars.
Bandit
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
This page from the AA may help to clarify the legal position regarding winter driving in Germany, including a section on "on the spot fines".
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-and-snow-chains.html
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-and-snow-chains.html
Ise
reply to 'renting wheels in germany' posted Sep-2008
fft100 wrote:sorry ise, but i will have to pick you up on this. Winter tyres are not a legal requirement in Germany. And therefore the car rental companies do not include them in the standard price. For example, if we pick www.avis.de and choose a golf for 29 dec to 5 jan (1 week) in Frankfurt or Munich, we find a price of 305 euro + in the list of possible extras, a set of winter tyres for 125 euro (just under childrens seats). Just checked www.sixt.de for Munich and winter tyres are also in the list of extras at 16 euro a day for tyres and 6.50 a day for chains.
If you rent a car in Austria then i believe they are standard (have been when i rent).
Therefore, it is something to watch out for if, as the OP was planning, you decide to rent a car in germany.
And, i am not sure it is against the law to charge for something that is a legal requirement. look at childrens seats in rental cars.
I have to pick you up on the point I didn't say they were a legal requirement in Germany, I just commented they were the norm' which was just an observation on having lived there for five years. Hire companies will change to winter tyres as standard as if they don't and there's an accident the insurer will claim the car wasn't suitably equipped which is why some of the newer laws about winter tyres are largely moot. If your hire company is charging for something that's on the car anyway that's a bit sharp.
It is against the law to charge for something that's a legal requirement as it means the basic service you're offering isn't of marketable quality, you can't rent a car to someone and then have them stopped by the police for it being illegal as soon as they leave.
Topic last updated on 24-September-2008 at 23:48