If your Motability Scheme vehicle is being repaired, you might be offered a temporary hire car to keep you mobile.
Europcar will do their best to get you back on the road with a hire car as soon as possible.
The hire car is in replacement of your Scheme vehicle and your Agreement terms and conditions apply to this. This means that you are responsible for using it correctly and not doing so could result in a breach of your Agreement. This includes checking things like parking permits, tolls, and road exemptions, as they will not automatically apply to the hire car. By following these simple steps, you can avoid unexpected costs.
You are responsible for any extra charges
When using a hire car, you need to check and pay for certain costs that might not be covered. These include:
Fuel and excess mileage
The car must be returned with a full tank of fuel. This includes any fuel used to deliver or collect the car. Please note, even if the car is returned to the dealers with a full tank of fuel, you may still be charged for the fuel used to take the car back to the Europcar depot.
- If an Electric car is provided to you – this must be returned with a minimum of 50% charge
- Premium fuel charges will apply if the hire car is not returned with a full tank or with at least 50% charge
- For hire duration of 27 days or less there is no excess mileage charge
- For hire duration over 28 days there is a restriction of 75 miles per day for the whole hire period. You will be charged 35p per mile+VAT if you exceed this
Toll Roads and Congestion Charges
Check if you need to pay for toll or congestion charges, and if you do, make sure you pay on time to avoid fines. Your Motability Scheme vehicle might already be registered for these exemptions, like the London Congestion Charge. But your hire car will not be automatically registered so will not be exempt.
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Parking Permits and Road Exemptions
Check with your local authority to see if any action is needed for the use of your blue badge. Some areas allow you to temporarily transfer a permit to a hire car, but this is your responsibility to arrange.
ULEZ and Clean Air Zones
Check if your hire car meets emission standards and, if not, pay any required charges. Just because your Scheme vehicle is exempt from Clean Air Zone (CAZ) or Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges, do not assume your hire car will be too.
Key things to remember
- Should any fine be received by Europcar for a hire that you had, there will be an administration charge to the applied to the existing fine that you are liable for
- Any fines incurred that will impact your driving licence need to be declared to Direct Line Mobility (DLM)
- Failure to pay any extra charges incurred to Europcar will result in Motability Operations being notified as this is a breach of your terms and conditions and may result in termination of your agreement
Taking the hire car abroad
If you need to take your hire car outside the UK, you must get permission from Europcar.
Contact RAC and they will arrange this for you with Europcar.
Europcar will give you a Vehicle on Hire certificate (VE103B). You need this by law to take a car or van to mainland Europe. They’ll also give you the details of your breakdown cover.
Europcar does not allow travel to some countries. And some types of cars cannot be taken outside the UK. Please check with Europcar to confirm which countries are covered. Additionally, make sure the country you intend to travel to is also listed on our insurance coverage, as the two lists may not match.
Europcar will tell you what you need to do to get the VE103B. In most cases, you do not need an International Driving Permit to drive in the EU. But it’s your responsibility to check on the government website. If you do need one, you can buy it at most Post Offices.
To get a VE103 certificate, contact RAC Motability Assist on 0800 731 3310 at least three weeks before you travel. This certificate is proof that you’re allowed to use a hired or leased vehicle if you’re driving in Europe or abroad. Without it, you may not be allowed to take the car out of the country.
Some countries are not covered by Europcar. You should also check if you need an International Driving Permit for the country you’re visiting on the government website.
For more information and assistance during your hire car period, visit the Europcar website.
Who can drive the hire car?
Just like your Motability Scheme vehicle, only permitted drivers can use the hire car. This means:
- The driver must be listed on your insurance policy
- The hire car must only be used for the benefit of the disabled customer
- You cannot let unpermitted friends or family members drive the vehicle
If you’re unsure whether a driver is permitted, check with your insurance provider before allowing them to use the car, or log in to your online account to see who is registered.
Check Europcar’s driver undertaking form.
Final reminders: Use your hire car responsibly
- Check and pay for any tolls, parking permits, and road exemptions
- Arrange a VE103 if you need to take the car abroad
- Only let permitted drivers use the hire car
When your Scheme car is repaired, call 0371 384 5917 and Europcar will aim to arrange collection of the vehicle within eight business hours.
For more information on taking delivery of your hire car, what to do if you’re involved in an accident and what to do before and after using it, check out our top tips.
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