Lanzarote island is a cool vacation destination. There are many lovelys spots to visit on this island and these include the Atlantis Tunnel, the Volcanic vineyards, the green lagoon and the boiling sea, to name but a few. The bottom line here is that you can never get bored on this amazing island.
Getting around the island is easy as it has good roads. If you are visiting for the first time or even a second or third time, you’ll need to hire a rental car or leiebil Lanzarote, as the Norwegians would say. So, to make sure you rent a car that won’t ruin your holiday we’ve put together this article for you. We’ll share the important information to help you rent a car in Lanzarote.
Requirements
The first thing you need to consider is the requirements to hire a car. We’ll discuss some of these requirements. Let’s begin.
- Driving License: Lanzarote is a territory in Spain that is part of the European Union. So, you’ll have to obey some legalities and formalities. To rent a car in the island, you need a complete European Union driving license. If you don’t have an EU license, you can use an international driving license.
- How Long You’ve Held the License: How long you’ve had the license is another requirement needed to rent a car. You must have had the license for at least a year. Anything less than a year means the rental company won’t give you the vehicle.
- Age: In Lanzarote, the legal driving age is 18. However, you must be 21 to rent a car. Some rental companies even demand that you must be 23.
- Deposit: You will have to make a deposit using your credit card. Rental companies do not accept cash or any kind of debit card. The company you choose fixes how much you deposit. This deposit is a sort of insurance which the company will return to your card account after you return the vehicle safely.
Use a travel credit card to make the deposit. This way you’ll have enough money on your regular credit card. Furthermore, we recommend you have enough credit on your card before you travel. With enough credit balance, you can make the deposit without any hassle.
After you pick up the car make sure you keep your driving license with you. You also need to have the rental documents in the car. You might be asked to show these documents when you meet a traffic officer.
Picking Up and Returning the Vehicle
We always recommend that you choose the rental company before you get to the island. However, if you haven’t chosen one, you can find one by running a simple search on Google. Just type “best car rental companies in Lanzarote.” You can get a reputable rental business using this search method.
Here are things to keep in mind when picking up and returning the vehicle:
- You’ll have to go to the rental company to pick the car.
- Return the vehicle to the same location you picked it up from. Why should you do this? It’s a sure way to save some money. However, if you can’t take it to that same place, drop it off at another designated location.
- Thoroughly inspect the vehicle when you go to pick up the car. Look for dents and scratches, no matter how small they might be.
- Record the issues such as dents and scratches you found in the log sheet.
- You can take pictures of the dents and scratches with your phone as further evidence.
- Do not return a dirty vehicle. Make sure you clean it properly before returning it.
- Return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up.
Driving Standards
The driving standard is the same if you’re from any other mainland European country. However, for individuals from other regions and continents, such as North America, the driving standard might seem different. You can read this article to find out some of the differences between driving in the U.S. and Europe. To get you up to speed, here are some of the standards you need to follow as you drive around Lanzarote:
- Make sure you drive on the right side of the road: Americans and Brits experience this shocking cultural difference when they drive in any mainland European region. There are road signs placed strategically to remind you to maintain this rule. The authorities understand that many tourists visit the island. So, these signs are placed to guide them.
- More manual cars than automatic cars: There are more manual cars than automatic cars in Lanzarote. This difference is something you still need to take note of even though it is more of a driving culture than a standard. You can book an automatic car ahead if you prefer or only drive such. Booking early allows you to secure the limited number of such vehicles before other who want them snatch them up.
- Faster driving and looser regulations: The driving standards in Lanzarote is looser and faster compared to the United States of America or the United Kingdom. That means you are going to see many speed drivers on the highways and some very terrifying overtaking. Because of this lax enforcement, you won’t see many traffic police patrolling the roads. So, you might not get stopped by an officer even when you drive fast.
- The Bumping practice: This is the practice of intentionally driving into parked cars’ bumpers. Drivers in Spain and Italy do this regularly, so you might be a victim of this cultural practice. You won’t get back your full deposit if you dent or scratch on your rental car. Therefore, to prevent this issue, choose a safe and less used parking space.
Parking Laws
You can’t park anywhere you like. You must park only in designated parking spaces. Lanzarote has sufficient parking spaces unlike the cities in Spain.
Nevertheless, make sure you take caution when parking your car. Do not park in a place where the curb is painted yellow or red. You run the risk of getting your car towed away by the authorities if you do so.
Drinking and Driving
You are not allowed to drink and drive on the island. There is a limit you must not exceed. Once you go above 0.5MG, you can be arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Visitors from the United Kingdom are usually surprised when they get charged with this crime. In the United Kingdom the limit is 0.8MG. You won’t be excused because you didn’t know about this rule. The authorities will fine you once they find you guilty of driving above the drinking limit.
Don’t Wear Flip Flops
One of the strangest laws in Lanzarote is that you are not allowed to drive while wearing flip-flops. This is a funny law, because that flip-flops are the best and most appropriate footwear when moving on the island. You will be fined if you break this law, and the fine is usually high. Therefore, avoid wearing flip-flops when driving.
Conclusion
There you have it: a comprehensive guide on renting a car in Lanzarote. If you follow the instructions we’ve shared, you definitely have a pleasurable and memorable vacation. Have a blast!
Daniel J. Morgan is the founder of Invidiata Magazine, a premier publication showcasing luxury living, arts, and culture. With a passion for excellence, Daniel has established the magazine as a beacon of sophistication and refinement, captivating discerning audiences worldwide.
