Author: Sergiu S., Rentio · Updated on 18 October 2026
In short: to rent a car from Rentio, you show the originals of your valid driving licence, an ID document and a credit card for blocking the deposit. An international driving permit is mandatory if your licence is written in a non-Latin alphabet or was obtained in a country that drives on the left with right-hand-drive cars (for example the UK, India, Australia, Japan). At pickup you sign the rental agreement and the handover–return form.
If you are coming home for Christmas or in the summer and want a car in Satu Mare, Baia Mare or Zalău, the first question is simple: “Which documents do I need to bring?”. The answer is short, but a few details (the type of card, a licence issued abroad, an extra driver) matter at pickup. Below you will find exactly what the Rentio Terms and Conditions require, with no guesswork.
Which documents do you need when you pick up the car?
You need three things, in original: a valid driving licence, an ID document and a credit card. You show them when you sign the agreement, whether you booked online, by phone or by e-mail.
| Document | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Driving licence | National and/or international, valid, in original. |
| International driving permit | Mandatory for licences issued in countries using a script other than the Latin alphabet and for those obtained driving right-hand-drive cars (e.g. UK, India, Australia, Japan). |
| ID document | Shown in original, together with the licence. |
| Credit card | Mandatory for blocking the deposit. Prepaid cards and Diners Club cards are not accepted. |
The Terms and Conditions also say something important: for bookings made by phone, by e-mail or through partners, the booking may be cancelled if the person collecting the car does not meet the minimum requirements in the agreement. That is why it is worth checking your documents before you travel, not at the counter.
When do you need an international driving permit?
The international driving permit is mandatory in two situations: your licence is written in a non-Latin alphabet, or you obtained it in a country where cars are right-hand drive.
The examples given in the Terms and Conditions are the UK, India, Australia and Japan. This matters especially if you got your licence in Great Britain and fly home on the Wizz Air London Luton – Satu Mare flight (3 times a week, all year round). If this is your case, bring your international driving permit as well as your UK licence.
If your licence is Romanian or from a country that uses the Latin alphabet and left-hand-drive cars, your valid national licence is enough.
Why do you need a credit card, and why won’t just any card do?
The credit card is required for blocking the deposit (security). Prepaid and Diners Club cards are not accepted, and fintech cards (Revolut, Monese, N26 etc.) can only be used for payment, not for the deposit.
The difference between payment and deposit is essential:
- Paying for the rental can be done by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or in cash. Here you can also use Revolut, Monese or N26.
- The deposit is blocked on a credit card. With the STANDARD deposit, it is 200, 250, 300 or 400 €, depending on the car.
- The deposit is released within a maximum of 30 days from signing the return form.
If you do not want a deposit blocked, there is the SMART Insurance (Asigurare SMART) option, with a 0 € deposit. SMART Insurance is a daily fee (10, 15 or 20 €/day, depending on the car) that reduces the deposit to 0 €. It is not a third-party liability or comprehensive insurance policy, and certain costs remain the customer’s responsibility (see the Terms and Conditions, chapter 5). If you have a special situation regarding your card, call us before booking on +40 746 678 872 and we will clarify exactly what applies in your case.
How do you add an additional driver?
An additional driver is entered in the agreement and costs 10 € per person. Only persons authorised by Rentio and named in the agreement are allowed to drive the car.
Every driver named in the agreement accepts that they must meet the same rental conditions as you. In practice, they also need a valid licence (and an international driving permit, if one of the situations above applies) and an ID document. If you want to share the driving on a long trip, for example from Satu Mare to Baia Mare and back, say from the start how many drivers there will be.
What do you sign when you pick up the car?
You sign the rental agreement, which includes the Terms and Conditions, the handover–return form, the damage cost table and the annexes. Only after signing do you receive the keys and the car’s documents.
Here is what each document contains:
- The rental agreement: your details, the car, the period, the price and the options chosen (for example the SMART option or an additional driver).
- The Terms and Conditions: the rules for the whole rental period, from the 400 km/day limit (above it, 0.20 €/km) to taking the car abroad.
- The handover–return form: the condition of the car at departure and on return, including the fuel level and cleanliness, inside and out.
- The damage cost table: costs by car class, depending on the location and type of damage.
The rental is paid in full when you sign the agreement. Invoices are issued in lei, at the BNR (National Bank of Romania) selling rate on the day of signing. From Rentio you receive the registration certificate and the third-party liability (RCA) policy, in original or as a certified copy.
What should you check on the handover–return form?
Check that the form records any existing scratch or dent, the fuel level and the cleanliness. What is written there is the reference point on return.
- Fuel: the car is returned with the same amount of fuel. Otherwise a 50 € refuelling fee plus the missing fuel is charged.
- Cleanliness: if more than a standard wash is needed on return, a 100 € fee plus the car wash is charged.
- The return is complete when you and Rentio sign the return form.
Smoking in the car is forbidden, and pets may only travel in cages or closed carriers.
Which car can you choose once your documents are in order?
Any car in the fleet, with the same documents. Only the rate and the deposit differ. Rates include VAT.
| Car | 1–6 days | From 7 days | STANDARD deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Astra | 32 €/day | 28 €/day | 200 € |
| Dacia Logan | 35 €/day | 30 €/day | 200 € |
| Skoda Octavia automatic | 65 €/day | 55 €/day | 250 € |
The lowest rate is from 28 €/day for rentals of at least 7 days (Opel Astra or similar). The whole fleet is on the available cars page, and if you are taking the car across the border, read the conditions for driving a rental car abroad first.
See also: automatic car rental in Satu Mare, car rental Baia Mare and how much it costs to rent a car in Satu Mare.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car with just a debit card?
You can pay for the rental with a debit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), but the deposit is blocked on a credit card, according to the Terms and Conditions. For your specific situation, call +40 746 678 872.
Can I use Revolut or N26 for the deposit?
No. Fintech cards (Revolut, Monese, N26 etc.) can be used to pay for services, but not for blocking the deposit.
I have a UK driving licence. Do I need an international driving permit?
Yes. The Terms and Conditions require an international driving permit for licences obtained driving right-hand-drive cars, and the UK is given as an example.
How much does an additional driver cost?
10 € for each driver named in the agreement. They must also meet the same rental conditions.
Got your documents ready? Book online or call +40 746 678 872. You will find more answers on the frequently asked questions page and on the home page car rental Satu Mare.