Hiring a car on Fuerteventura – what you should know before you set off
The roads of Fuerteventura are waiting. They wind through lava fields, past secluded lighthouses and down to coves that no coach will ever reach. If you really want to explore the island, you’ll need a hire car on Fuerteventura – and that’s where the journey begins, even before you’ve driven a single kilometre: namely, when you make your booking.
Documents required for car hire: What you must have with you
No key without the right documents. To hire a car on Fuerteventura, you must have a valid EU driving licence as well as an identity card or passport. If you forget either of these documents, you’ll literally be left standing in the car park.
The same applies throughout the entire journey: You must always carry your driving licence and ID with you – you could be stopped for a check at any time, and it will cost you dearly if you don’t have your documents with you.
Credit card or debit card? – The deposit as a decisive factor
Many major car hire companies on Fuerteventura – including well-known providers such as Cicar, Enterprise and Gobycar – require a credit card in the main driver’s name as security for the deposit when booking directly. A debit card may be accepted in some places, but if you want to be on the safe side, you should bring a credit card with you.
Bookings made through tour operators are an exception: in these cases, insurance and the security deposit are often covered by a flat-rate fee – meaning a credit card is frequently no longer required. So if you don’t have a credit card in your wallet, you should consider this option.
Car hire insurance in Fuerteventura: Better to be over-insured than under-insured
Fuerteventura is a tourist destination – and you can really feel that on the roads. There are lots of drivers from all over the world, unfamiliar roads, and sometimes gravel tracks leading to hidden beaches. That’s exactly why comprehensive insurance with no excess for car hire in the Canary Islands isn’t a luxury option, but a sensible precaution.
Equally important: a high level of third-party liability cover. Anyone travelling on unpaved tracks – and that’s certainly tempting on Fuerteventura – should be doubly covered. In the event of an accident, it’s the insurance company that decides whether your memories of the island will remain fond ones.
Set off well prepared, explore the island – and enjoy every kilometre to the full
