With the arrival of the summer season, the desire for a holiday grows, whether to discover new holiday destinations or simply to return to favourite places.
More and more holidaymakers are choosing motorhomes, owned or rented, whose versatility on trips makes it possible to adapt, even at the last second, both the destination and the intermediate stops.
For motorhome travellers, especially “occasional” ones who wish to rent one while avoiding unpleasant surprises, the State Police has drawn up some advice for renting vehicles safely and making the most of the holidays.
Turn to industry professionals
To carry out a self-drive car rental business, registration in the Chamber of Commerce business register and the submission of a certified notice of commencement of activity (SCIA) to the Municipality are required. The activity is subject to inspection by the competent authorities and operators must comply with strict obligations for the protection of public safety, such as notifying the Public Security Authorities of the identification details shown on the identity document presented by the person renting the motorhome.
Carefully check the information provided by any intermediaries
If you rely on parties acting as rental intermediaries (such as websites), read the information provided carefully and check with the rental company that what has been declared and agreed matches the actual conditions of use.
Check whether the vehicle can be rented
Renting a vehicle presupposes that it is intended for use by third parties, that is, persons other than the owner or registered holder. The use and purpose of the vehicle are indicated in the registration document on page 2, letter J.1. The registration document of a motorhome that may be rented, which may also be kept on board as a photocopy certified by the owner, must bear the wording “use by third parties – self-drive rental”.
The highway code prohibits the use of a vehicle for a purpose or use other than that indicated in the registration document. The violation is punished by a fine of 87 to 344 euros and by suspension of the registration document for one to six months, which entails a ban on continuing the journey.
Check the administrative compliance of the vehicle
The motorhome must have a valid roadworthiness inspection and proper insurance cover.
The inspection is recorded on the registration document; it must be carried out within four years of first registration and, thereafter, every 2 years, with the deadline being the last day of the month in which the vehicle was registered, or the last day of the month of the last inspection carried out.
Insurance cover is proven by the contract, which must be valid. The document certifying insurance cover may be kept and shown in the event of a check as an original, a copy or in digital format. For safety, also check on the motorist’s portal by entering the motorhome’s number plate in the relevant search field. It is also always advisable to keep the rental contract on board during the journey.
Check the condition of the equipment required for road use
Lights and direction indicators must be intact and working perfectly; tyres of the same type must be fitted on the same axle and must not be worn or damaged; brakes must be in perfect working order.
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