Author: Sergiu S., Rentio · Updated on 18 October 2026
In short: at pickup, photograph the car from every angle, make sure scratches, the fuel level and the mileage are recorded on the handover form and keep your contract. On return, bring the car back with the same fuel level (otherwise €50 + fuel), clean and to the agreed place, then sign the return form. That way you avoid disputes and extra charges.
Most misunderstandings when renting a car don't come from major damage but from details nobody wrote down: a small scratch, a half-empty tank, an unrecorded mileage reading. Below is a practical list for the two key moments, pickup and return, whether you collect the car in Satu Mare or at the airport, or head off towards Baia Mare or Zalău. The rules with figures come from the Rentio Terms and Conditions; the rest is common-sense advice that protects you.
What should you prepare before arriving for pickup?
Bring your valid driving licence, your identity document and the credit card for the deposit, and arrive at the agreed time. If you are more than 3 hours late without letting us know, the booking may be cancelled (art. 2.2).
- Documents: the full list, including when you need an international driving permit, is in the guide documents you need to rent a car.
- Location: you can pick up the car at the pickup point on Drumul Odoreului 47, Satu Mare, or directly at Satu Mare International Airport.
- Delays: if your flight is delayed or you are stuck in traffic, let us know on +40 746 678 872 (phone or WhatsApp). A short message is enough so you don't lose your booking.
- Deposit: decide in advance whether you go for the STANDARD deposit or SMART Insurance (Asigurare SMART). The differences are explained in the article STANDARD deposit or SMART Insurance.
What should you check on the car when you pick it up?
Check the bodywork, windows, tyres, lights and interior, then make sure everything you noticed appears on the handover form before you sign.
The handover form describes the condition of the car when you leave. On return it is the point of comparison, so it is worth five minutes of attention.
Pickup checklist
- Bodywork: walk around the car and look at the bumpers, doors, wings, mirrors and sills. Existing scratches and dents must be noted on the form.
- Windows and windscreen: look for chips or cracks, especially around the wipers.
- Tyres and wheels: check visually that the tyres look normally inflated and whether the wheels have scratches. Wheels and tyres are among the exclusions of SMART Insurance, so it matters that their condition is recorded.
- Lights: headlights, indicators, brake lights. You can check them in two minutes with the engine running.
- Interior: upholstery, dashboard, boot. Look for stains, burns or missing items.
- Dashboard: start the engine and check that no warning lights come on.
- Fuel and mileage: the fuel level and the odometer reading must match what is written on the form.
- Vehicle documents: you receive the registration certificate and the RCA (third-party liability) policy, in original or as certified copies. Check they are in the car before you leave.
Why take photos at pickup?
Your photos, with the date and time from your phone, are simple proof of the car's condition when you left. Photograph the car from all four corners, then each defect up close, the dashboard with the odometer and fuel gauge, plus the interior. Keep them until you get your deposit back.
Which rules should you remember while using the car?
There is a limit of 400 km/day, smoking is not allowed, pets travel only in cages or closed carriers, and you must announce an extension at least 24 hours in advance.
- Mileage: above the 400 km/day limit you pay €0.20/km (art. 3.13). On a Satu Mare – Baia Mare – Zalău trip you are usually well under the limit, but on long journeys it is worth keeping count.
- Smoking: not allowed in the car. If detected, the charge is €100 plus the car wash (art. 3.17).
- Pets: only in cages or closed carriers (art. 2.9).
- Extension: announce it at least 24 hours in advance (art. 8.2).
- Contract: keep the contract and the handover form within reach, for example in the glovebox or photographed on your phone.
What should you do if damage happens on the road?
Notify Rentio immediately on +40 746 678 872. If the damage was caused by an unknown party (for example, the car was hit in a car park), a police report is required, in accordance with chapter 7 of the Terms and Conditions.
Take photos at the scene and don't repair anything yourself before speaking to Rentio. If you chose SMART Insurance, remember that it is a daily fee that reduces the deposit to €0, not a third-party liability or comprehensive insurance policy (RCA/CASCO), and certain costs remain your responsibility (chapter 5): fuel, keys and documents, cleaning, the underside of the car, wheels and tyres, wrong fuel and smoking.
What should you check when you return the rental car?
Check the fuel level, cleanliness and your personal belongings, return the car to the place agreed in the contract and sign the return form together with Rentio.
Return checklist
- Fuel: the car must be returned with the same level as at pickup. Otherwise you pay a €50 refuelling fee plus the missing fuel (art. 3.9). Fill up close to the return point and keep the receipt.
- Cleaning: remove rubbish and sand. If the car needs more than a standard wash, €100 plus the car wash applies (art. 3.10).
- Personal belongings: check the glovebox, door pockets, under the seats and the boot. Don't forget charging cables and the child seat, if it is yours.
- Return location: returning to a different location is only possible by agreement, for a fee of €30 to €350. Without notice, the fee is €500 (art. 3.3–3.4).
- Final photos: take the same photos as at pickup, including the dashboard with the odometer and fuel gauge.
- Return form: read it before signing. The return becomes effective when you and Rentio sign the form.
- Documents and keys: hand back the keys, the registration certificate and the RCA policy you received at pickup.
What happens to the deposit after return?
If you left a STANDARD deposit, it is refunded within a maximum of 30 days of returning the car (art. 6.9). With SMART Insurance, the deposit is €0.
Until you get your deposit back, keep the contract, the handover form, your photos and the receipt from your last refuel. If you return the car earlier than agreed, the advance payment is refunded as a voucher valid for 12 months (art. 6.8).
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
What happens if I return the car with less fuel?
You pay a €50 refuelling fee plus the missing fuel. To avoid it, fill up to the level at pickup, as noted on the handover form.
Can I return the car in a different city from where I picked it up?
Only with Rentio's agreement, for a fee of €30 to €350. If you return it to another location without notice, the fee is €500.
What should I do if I find a scratch that is not on the form?
Say so before you leave, so it gets recorded on the handover form, and photograph it. Anything not noted at pickup is hard to clarify on return.
What happens if I am late for pickup?
If you are more than 3 hours late without letting us know, the booking may be cancelled. Call or message us on WhatsApp on +40 746 678 872 as soon as you know you will be late.
How long until I get my deposit back?
Within a maximum of 30 days of returning the car, according to the Terms and Conditions.
Got your list ready? Choose your car on the available cars page and book online, or call +40 746 678 872. You will find more answers in the FAQ, and if you don't want a deposit blocked on your card, see car rental without deposit.