Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Avax Rent a Car offers the option to rent without a credit card. You can use a debit card or pay in cash at selected locations. For example, many customers picking up at Split Airport successfully rent using only a Visa or Mastercard debit card. A security deposit may be required depending on the vehicle category and payment method — typically €150 for the Medium insurance tier, while choosing our Premium insurance package eliminates the deposit entirely. One thing to keep in mind: cash payments are only accepted at staffed counter locations, not for Meet & Greet deliveries. We recommend confirming your preferred payment method during the booking process so everything is ready when you arrive.

A security deposit is pre-authorized on your payment card at pickup. The amount depends on the vehicle category and insurance package chosen — for instance, the Medium insurance tier typically requires a €150 hold, while the Premium (Full Coverage) package requires zero deposit. The pre-authorization temporarily reduces your available card balance but is not an actual charge. The deposit is fully released upon vehicle return if there are no damages or violations, usually within 5-10 business days depending on your bank. If you are renting with a debit card, be aware the hold may take slightly longer to clear. To speed up the process, always return the vehicle on time and with a full tank of fuel.

Cancellation is free at any time before the scheduled pickup — there is no 48-hour cutoff. You can cancel right up to your pickup time at no cost. Only no-shows — where the renter does not arrive and does not cancel — are charged the full rental amount. To cancel or modify, simply use the "Manage Booking" link in your confirmation email or contact our support team directly. We recommend keeping your booking confirmation handy.

Yes, you can modify your reservation through the "Manage Booking" section on our website. Changes to dates, locations, or vehicle category are subject to availability and may affect the price. For example, extending your rental by a few days during peak summer season is usually possible if you request it at least 24 hours in advance. One exception to note: if you originally booked a promotional rate, modifying the dates may cause that rate to adjust to the current standard pricing. Upgrades to a larger vehicle category can often be arranged even on the day of pickup if stock permits. For the smoothest experience, make any changes as early as possible and check the updated price summary before confirming the modification.

We recommend booking at least 1-2 weeks in advance, especially during peak summer season (June-September). Early booking often secures better prices and wider vehicle selection — for instance, convertibles and SUVs at our Split and Dubrovnik airport locations frequently sell out by May for July and August pickups. During the off-season (October-May), booking a few days ahead is usually sufficient, and you will often find lower rates and greater availability. One exception: holiday weekends such as Easter or New Year can create short spikes in demand even outside summer. You can also set up price alerts on our website to be notified when rates drop. As a general tip, booking early and choosing free cancellation gives you the best of both worlds — a locked-in rate with full flexibility.

Most of the rental fleet in Croatia, including our economy and compact categories, is manual transmission — this is standard across the country, not specific to Avax. Automatic cars are available but in limited supply and cost more per day, so if you need an automatic we strongly recommend booking well in advance, especially for the June-September peak season when they sell out first. The transmission type of every vehicle is clearly shown in the booking flow before you confirm, so you always know exactly what you are reserving. If driving a manual on Croatia's hilly coastal roads is a concern, reserve an automatic early rather than hoping for one at the counter.

You need: (1) A valid driving license held for at least 2 years, (2) A valid ID card or passport, (3) A payment card (credit or debit) in the driver's name. EU driving licenses are accepted directly without any additional documentation. Non-EU licenses may require an International Driving Permit (IDP) — this is mandatory for licenses printed in non-Latin script such as Arabic, Chinese, or Japanese, and strongly recommended for licenses from the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. For example, a US visitor should obtain an IDP from AAA before travelling to Croatia, as it costs only about $20 and is valid for one year. All documents must be originals; photocopies or digital images on a phone are not accepted. Make sure to bring everything to the pickup counter to avoid delays.

The standard minimum age is 22, and you must hold a full driving licence for at least 2 years. Drivers aged 18 to 21 can still rent, but a Young Driver Fee of €10 per day applies (capped at €87.50 per rental) and Premium insurance is mandatory for that age group. For example, on a 10-day trip the young-driver surcharge is capped at €87.50 rather than €100. There is no maximum age limit, but drivers aged 71 to 80 pay an equivalent senior surcharge of €10 per day, also capped at €87.50. If you are travelling as a group, having a driver aged 22 or over (licence held 2+ years) as the primary renter avoids the young-driver surcharge and the mandatory-Premium requirement entirely.

EU/EEA driving licenses are accepted without an IDP. For licenses issued outside the EU (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia), an IDP is strongly recommended alongside your national license. Licenses in non-Latin script (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Japanese) legally require an IDP — without one, we cannot release the vehicle. For example, a visitor from Japan must carry both their Japanese license and an IDP issued by the Japan Automobile Federation. American, British, Canadian, and Australian drivers are not strictly required by Croatian law to have an IDP, but we strongly recommend one because it serves as a certified translation and can be essential if you are stopped by police or involved in an incident. An IDP is inexpensive, typically around $15-$20, and can be obtained before your trip from your national automobile association. Always carry the IDP together with your original license, as the IDP alone is not valid.

Yes, additional drivers can be added to your rental agreement. The first additional driver is included free; each further driver is €2 per day. Every additional driver must meet the same requirements — at least 22 years old with a full licence held for at least 2 years — and must be present at the pickup counter with their original documents. For example, a couple sharing driving duties on a road trip from Dubrovnik to Zagreb would both need to be registered on the agreement, at no extra cost for the second driver. One important exception: only registered additional drivers are covered by insurance. If an unregistered person drives the vehicle and an incident occurs, all insurance coverage is void. We recommend adding all potential drivers at pickup to stay fully protected throughout your trip.

We offer several insurance packages: (1) Basic — included in every rental with CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and TP (Theft Protection) with a standard excess, (2) Medium — reduced excess amount with a deposit of approximately €150, (3) Premium (Full Coverage) — zero excess and zero deposit with comprehensive protection including tires, glass, undercarriage, and roof damage. For example, if you choose Premium and scrape the undercarriage on a gravel road, you pay nothing at all. The Basic package is suitable for cautious drivers on familiar routes, while Premium is our most popular choice for tourists exploring Croatia's coastal roads for the first time. You can select your preferred package during the booking process and upgrade at pickup if you change your mind. We recommend reviewing each tier's coverage details on our insurance page before deciding.

If the vehicle is damaged during your rental, you should: (1) Report it immediately by calling our 24/7 support line, (2) File a police report if another vehicle is involved, (3) Complete an accident report form at the rental station. Your financial liability depends on the insurance package chosen — with Full Coverage (Premium), you pay nothing regardless of the type of damage. With the Basic package, you are liable up to the excess amount stated in your agreement. For example, a minor parking lot scratch on a Basic plan would be charged up to the excess, whereas the same scratch under Premium costs you zero. One critical rule: never leave the scene of an accident without filing a report, as this can void your insurance entirely. Take photos of any damage and save the police report number. Our 24/7 roadside assistance team will guide you through the process step by step.

Yes, 24/7 roadside assistance is included with every rental at no extra charge. In case of a breakdown, flat tire, or any mechanical issue, call our support number provided in your rental documents and we will arrange assistance. For example, if you get a flat tire while driving along the Adriatic coast, a technician will be dispatched to your location to help. Response times vary by location but are typically under 60 minutes in urban areas and along major highways. One important distinction: roadside assistance covers mechanical failures and breakdowns at no cost, but if the issue results from driver negligence — such as putting the wrong fuel type in the tank — a service charge may apply. Save our support number in your phone at the start of your rental so you can reach us immediately if anything goes wrong.

We operate a "full-to-full" fuel policy. You receive the car with a full tank and should return it with a full tank. If the car is returned with less fuel, a refueling charge will be applied based on the missing fuel plus a service fee of approximately €2.50-€3.00 per litre above the current pump price. For example, returning a car half-empty on a 50-litre tank could cost you significantly more than filling up yourself at a nearby station. There are petrol stations within 1-2 km of all our airport locations in Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Zadar, so topping off before return is easy. One exception: if you pre-pay for a full tank at booking, you can return the car at any fuel level without penalty. We recommend keeping your fuel receipt as proof of the final fill-up in case of any discrepancy.

Cross-border travel is allowed to most neighbouring countries including Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Italy, Austria, and others. You must inform us in advance and a cross-border fee may apply — typically €30-€50 for shorter rentals. However, for rentals of 3 days or longer, cross-border travel to Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia is included free of charge. For example, a week-long rental from Dubrovnik with a day trip to Kotor, Montenegro would incur no extra cross-border fee. Travel to some non-EU countries outside the approved list may require special permission and may not be covered by standard insurance. Always declare your intended travel countries during booking so we can ensure proper documentation and insurance coverage. Keep your rental agreement in the vehicle at all times when crossing borders, as it may be requested at checkpoints.

Traffic fines are the renter's responsibility. If a fine is issued during your rental period, it will be forwarded to you along with an administrative fee. Croatian authorities typically issue fines for speeding, parking violations, and unpaid motorway tolls. For example, an unpaid toll on the A1 motorway between Zagreb and Split can result in a fine plus our administrative processing fee being charged to your card on file. We recommend paying tolls through the ENC electronic system or in cash at toll booths to avoid additional charges. Speed cameras are common on major highways, and the general speed limit is 130 km/h on motorways, 90 km/h on open roads, and 50 km/h in urban areas. If you receive a fine notice after returning the vehicle, respond promptly — delayed payment often increases the penalty. Keep all toll receipts during your rental as proof of payment.

Yes, one-way rentals are available between most of our locations in Croatia. A one-way fee applies and varies depending on the pickup and return locations. For example, picking up at Split Airport (SPU) and dropping off at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is one of our most popular one-way routes, and the fee is displayed transparently during the booking process before you confirm. One-way rentals are also available between our four main airport stations — Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, and Zadar — as well as selected city locations. One exception: during peak summer months, certain drop-off locations may have limited one-way availability due to high demand, so we recommend booking early. The one-way fee is a flat charge added to your rental total and does not affect the daily rate. Check the booking summary to see the exact amount before confirming your reservation.

Croatia does not use a motorway vignette. On the tolled motorways — the A1 (Zagreb-Split-Ploče), A3, A6 and others — you collect a ticket when you enter and pay on exit, with the price based on the distance driven. You can pay by card, in cash, or with an ENC electronic device. The Pelješac Bridge and most coastal and secondary roads are toll-free. Tolls incurred during the rental are the renter's responsibility — always pay at the booth, because an unpaid toll results in a fine plus our administrative processing fee charged to your card. Keep toll receipts as proof of payment.

No. Dubrovnik's walled Old Town and the core of Split's Diocletian's Palace are pedestrian-only zones — cars cannot drive inside the walls. Park in the secure garages and car parks just outside: in Dubrovnik near the Pile or Ploče gates or in the Gruž/Lapad area, and in Split in the garages around the centre and harbour. These fill up and become expensive at the height of summer, so arrive early. Street parking in town centres is paid zone parking with strict time limits, paid by meter or app — always read the signs, as fines and towing are common in the tourist season.

Yes — infant, toddler and booster seats can be added during booking or requested at pickup. Stock is limited, so reserve the seat in advance, especially in summer. Croatian law requires children under 150 cm and under 12 years to use an appropriate child restraint suited to their height and weight, and children under 2 generally may not travel in the front seat. Fit and check the seat before you drive off — using no seat or the wrong size is both unsafe and subject to police fines, which would be the renter's responsibility.

We have rental stations at all four major Croatian airports — Split (SPU), Dubrovnik (DBV), Zagreb (ZAG), and Zadar (ZAD) — as well as city locations across Croatia. Airport counters are conveniently located inside or adjacent to the arrivals terminal, so you can collect your vehicle within minutes of landing. You can also arrange a Meet & Greet delivery service where our agent brings the car directly to your hotel, Airbnb, ferry port, or any address for added convenience. For example, many customers visiting the islands have the car delivered to the Split ferry terminal so they can drive straight to Trogir or Makarska upon return. Meet & Greet is available at a small additional fee and should be requested at the time of booking. We recommend specifying your exact pickup address and providing a phone number so our agent can coordinate arrival smoothly.

We monitor flight arrivals at all airport locations. If your flight is delayed, we will adjust your pickup time accordingly at no extra charge — whether your delay is 30 minutes or several hours. For example, if your flight into Dubrovnik is diverted or delayed due to weather, our team will track the updated arrival time and have your car ready when you land. Please provide your flight number when booking so we can track your arrival automatically through live flight data. One edge case to be aware of: if your flight is cancelled entirely and you are rebooked to a different airport (for instance, Zagreb instead of Split), contact us as soon as possible and we will do our best to arrange pickup at the alternative location. Our 24/7 support line is available for exactly these situations, so you are never left stranded.

After-hours service is available at airport locations. For city locations, after-hours pickup and return can be arranged in advance with our team. An out-of-hours fee may apply depending on the time and location. For example, a late-night pickup at Split Airport after a 23:00 arrival is straightforward — our airport desks accommodate flights landing around the clock. Key drop-off boxes are available at select locations for convenient returns when our office is closed; simply park the car in the designated area, lock it, and drop the keys in the secure box. One thing to note: if you use the key drop-off option, the vehicle inspection will be completed the next business morning, and you will be notified of the final status by email. To ensure the smoothest after-hours experience, confirm the arrangement at least 24 hours before your pickup or return time by contacting our support team.