Car Hire Glossary

DriveAway have put together the following glossary to assist with car rental terminology. If you have any questions that are not answered in the glossary, you can visit our FAQs page, or feel free to contact us for assistance.

ACRISS (SIPP) Car Code: The ACRISS (SIPP) code is a car coding system. This identifies the features of a car so that you can be sure to get the same standard of car wherever you rent worldwide. Use the key below to assist you when deciding on which car is right for your trip.

Example 1 - CDMN = Compact 4-5 Door Manual Unspecified Drive with No Air-Conditioning.

Example 2 - IWAR = Intermediate Wagon Automatic with Air-Conditioning.

Additional Driver: Additional to the main driver, registered and listed on the Rental Agreement.

Additional Liability Insurance (ALI): Provides additional protection for bodily injury or death plus property damage.*

Airport Fee: Charge applied by airport authorities for terminal and off terminal locations. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage to the rental vehicle other than by theft or attempted theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.*

Excess Reduction Insurance or Super CDW / TP: If you wish to upgrade your vehicle insurance or reduce your obligation for the Excess, you can purchase Super CDW / TP cover directly with the car rental company at an additional cost. When signed for, these are non-refundable. If you are sure you are adequately covered by your Travel Insurance you can DECLINE this additional cover on the Rental Agreement (RA). Please make this clear to the Rental Agent.

Gazetted Roads: A sealed or unsealed road regularly maintained by a local, state or government body or council.

Insurance Excess: The amount the client is responsible for in the event the rental vehicle is damaged (whether the driver is at fault or not) or stolen.*

Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of accidental damage and theft. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.*

Non-Waivable Excess: Rentals include Collision Damage Waiver Insurance (CDW), Third Party Liability and Theft Protection (TP). An Insurance Excess is applicable in the event of any accident or theft to the rental vehicle, regardless of fault. The Excess amount varies between countries and car group. The additional insurance offered by the car rental company is optional. Many travellers have Travel Insurance to cover the Excess applied in the event of an accident or theft. Some insurance companies may not cover the Excess unless you also take out the Excess Reduction Insurance offered by the car rental company. Please check the conditions on your Travel Insurance policy. Note: Lost Keys, damage to glass (incl. side mirrors), tyres, underside and roof of the vehicle are NOT covered by the insurance included in your rental. The depot may offer additional insurances to cover these items.

PAI / PEB (Personal Accident / Personal Effects & Baggage) Insurance: If you have already taken out Travel Insurance that provides adequate cover, you may DECLINE these items on your Rental Agreement (RA).

Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): Covers the driver and additional passengers of the rental vehicle for personal and physical injuries incurred in an accident.*

Security Deposit: Amount frozen on the client’s credit card at time of collection. The amount frozen is usually the full insurance excess amount. However, if an insurance excess is not applicable or the full excess is not frozen then an amount may still be frozen for incidentals such as fuel bond, optional charges, loss of keys etc.

On Airport Service: The supplier has a rental counter in the airport terminal with cars on location. For larger airports, there may be a section dedicated to all rental car companies that will be within a short walking distance. Some airports may provide a shuttle to the rental car area, this is still considered an 'on airport service'.

Off Airport Service: The supplier is located within a short distance of the airport. There will either be a shuttle bus provided for the short trip from the airport to the suppliers location, or clients will have to call once they arrive at the airport and they will be collected. Refer to your documentation for further instructions.

One Way Fee: This fee is imposed to cover the costs of returning the vehicle back to the originating location. In Australia & USA, charges may apply between cities within the same State and renting between States. Some countries charge for one way fees between airport and downtown locations within the same city.*

Premium Location Surcharge/Location Service Charge: Charge applied by car rental companies at selected downtown and railway locations. This additional item also includes the Airport Fee. In most cases, this charge is also applied to additional charges, such as one way fees, fuel option, child seat rental etc which are not included in the daily rate and are paid at the counter.

Rental Period: Your car rental period commencing at the time of collection through to the drop off time. Rental periods are based on 24 hours periods from the time of pick up, excluding European Leasing where it is based on calendar days.

Sealed Road: A road sealed with a hard material such as tar, bitumen or concrete.

Theft Protection (TP): Covers the rental vehicle in the event of theft, attempted theft or vandalism. An excess usually applies and the amount will vary depending on the pick up country and/or vehicle type.*

Third Party: Provides cover for public liability and is subject to the car rental company’s terms and conditions on the rental agreement. DriveAway strongly recommends travellers purchase travel insurance to cover themselves and their passengers.

Vehicle Licensing Fee/Vehicle Road Registration Fee: Government imposed levy for each rental car in the car provider's fleet. Charge to partially recover the vehicle registration costs.

Young Driver Surcharge: Surcharge payable by young drivers under a specific age.

Senior Driver Surcharge: Surcharge payable by senior drivers over &/or between a specific age.

Conditions: Last updated 15 August 2022. All information is correct at time of print & subject to change without notice.