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Phrasebook

English Phrases for Renting a Car

Renting a car abroad means contracts, insurance words and a quick damage check, often after a long flight. These phrases help you understand what you sign and handle problems on the road.

34 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Booking and pickup

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

I have a reservation under the name Yılmaz.

A2
Yılmaz adına rezervasyonum var.
  • Can I see your driver's license and a credit card?

I'd like to rent a car for three days.

A2

UK: "hire a car".

Üç günlüğüne araba kiralamak istiyorum.
  • What size car are you looking for?

Here's my driver's license and passport.

A2

UK: "driving licence".

Buyurun, ehliyetim ve pasaportum.
  • Thank you. Do you have an international driving permit?

Do I need an international driving permit?

B1

The rules depend on the country and the company. Check before you travel.

Uluslararası sürücü belgesine ihtiyacım var mı?
  • It depends on your license. Let me check.

Do you have any automatics?

B1

Manual cars are common in the UK and Europe. US: "stick shift". Book an automatic early if you need one.

Otomatik vitesli aracınız var mı?
  • Yes, but they cost a bit more.
  • We only have manuals left.

Can I add a second driver?

B1
İkinci bir sürücü ekleyebilir miyim?
  • Sure. I'll need their license too.

Is there a deposit?

A2
Depozito var mı?
  • Yes, we'll put a hold on your credit card.

Can I pick up the car at the airport?

A2
Arabayı havalimanından teslim alabilir miyim?
  • Yes, our desk is in the arrivals hall.

Insurance and the contract

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

What does the insurance cover?

B1
Sigorta neleri kapsıyor?
  • It covers damage to the car, but there's a deductible.

Is there a deductible?

B2

UK: "excess". It is the amount you pay yourself before the insurance pays.

Muafiyet var mı?
  • Yes, unless you take full coverage.

I'd like full coverage, please.

B1
Tam kapsamlı sigorta istiyorum, lütfen.
  • Okay, that reduces your deductible to zero.

I don't need extra insurance, thanks.

B1

Some credit cards include rental car coverage. Check yours before you decide.

Ek sigortaya ihtiyacım yok, teşekkürler.
  • Okay, please initial here.

Is the mileage unlimited?

B1
Kilometre sınırsız mı?
  • Yes, unlimited miles.
  • No, there's a daily limit.

What's the fuel policy?

B1
Yakıt politikası nedir?
  • Full to full. Bring it back with a full tank.

Are there any extra fees I should know about?

B1
Bilmem gereken ek ücretler var mı?
  • Only if you return it late.
  • There's a fee for a second driver.

Checking the car

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

There's a scratch on the back bumper.

A2
Arka tamponda bir çizik var.
  • Thanks, I'll mark it on the form.

Could you note this dent, please?

B1

Take photos of any damage before you drive away.

Bu göçüğü not eder misiniz, lütfen?
  • Sure, it's already on the report.

Does it take gas or diesel?

A2

UK: "petrol". Using the wrong fuel can damage the engine.

Benzinli mi, dizel mi?
  • Regular unleaded.
  • Diesel. It says so inside the fuel cap.

How do I open the gas cap?

A2

UK: "petrol cap" or "fuel cap".

Depo kapağını nasıl açıyorum?
  • There's a button by the driver's seat.

How do I connect my phone?

A2
Telefonumu nasıl bağlarım?
  • Just pair it with Bluetooth.
  • Plug it into the USB port.

Do you have a child seat?

A2
Çocuk koltuğunuz var mı?
  • Yes, we can add one for you.

On the road

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Where's the nearest gas station?

A1

UK: "petrol station".

En yakın benzin istasyonu nerede?
  • About two miles down the road.

Where can I park?

A1

US: "parking lot" or "parking garage". UK: "car park".

Nereye park edebilirim?
  • There's a parking garage around the corner.

Is this a toll road?

B1
Bu ücretli bir yol mu?
  • Yes, but the car has an electronic toll tag.

Fill it up, please.

A2

Most gas stations in the US and UK are self-service, so you often fill up yourself.

Depoyu doldurun, lütfen.
  • Regular or premium?

I got a parking ticket.

B1
Park cezası yedim.
  • You can pay it online, or we will charge your card plus a fee.

Problems and returning the car

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

The car broke down.

B1
Araba arızalandı.
  • Where are you? We'll send roadside assistance.

I have a flat tire.

B1

UK: "a flat tyre" and "the boot".

Lastiğim patladı.
  • There's a spare in the trunk.

The check engine light is on.

B1
Motor arıza lambası yandı.
  • Pull over when it's safe and call us.

I had a small accident.

B1
Küçük bir kaza yaptım.
  • Is everyone okay?
  • Did you get the other driver's details?

I'd like to return the car.

A2
Arabayı teslim etmek istiyorum.
  • Sure. Let me check it over.

Can I drop it off at a different location?

B1
Arabayı başka bir ofise bırakabilir miyim?
  • Yes, but there's a one-way fee.

I filled up the tank right before coming.

A2
Gelmeden hemen önce depoyu doldurdum.
  • Great, thanks.

Where do I leave the keys?

A2
Anahtarları nereye bırakıyorum?
  • You can drop them in the key box.

Sample dialogues

At the rental desk

Agent
Hi, how can I help you?
Merhaba, nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
Can
Hi, I have a reservation under the name Öztürk.
Merhaba, Öztürk adına rezervasyonum var.
Agent
Let me see. Yes, a compact car for four days. Can I see your driver's license and a credit card?
Bir bakayım. Evet, dört günlüğüne kompakt bir araç. Ehliyetinizi ve kredi kartınızı görebilir miyim?
Can
Here you go. Is it an automatic?
Buyurun. Otomatik mi?
Agent
Yes, it is. Would you like to add full coverage?
Evet. Tam kapsamlı sigorta eklemek ister misiniz?
Can
What happens if I don't?
Eklemezsem ne olur?
Agent
Then there's a deductible if the car is damaged. It's on the contract here.
O zaman araç hasar görürse muafiyet tutarını siz ödersiniz. Burada, sözleşmede yazıyor.
Can
Okay, I'll take full coverage. What's the fuel policy?
Tamam, tam kapsamlı sigortayı alayım. Yakıt politikası nedir?
Agent
Full to full. Here are your keys. It's in space twelve.
Dolu al, dolu getir. Anahtarlarınız burada. Araç on iki numaralı yerde.

Returning the car

Attendant
Hi, are you returning this car?
Merhaba, bu arabayı mı teslim ediyorsunuz?
Elif
Yes. I filled up the tank right before coming.
Evet. Gelmeden hemen önce depoyu doldurdum.
Attendant
Great. Any problems with the car?
Harika. Arabayla ilgili bir sorun oldu mu?
Elif
No, it was fine. There was a small scratch on the door, but it was already on the form.
Hayır, her şey yolundaydı. Kapıda küçük bir çizik vardı ama zaten formda yazılıydı.
Attendant
Yes, I see it here. Everything looks good.
Evet, burada görüyorum. Her şey yolunda görünüyor.
Elif
Will you email me the receipt?
Faturayı bana e-postayla gönderir misiniz?
Attendant
Yes, it'll be in your inbox in a few minutes.
Evet, birkaç dakika içinde gelen kutunuzda olur.
Elif
Perfect, thanks.
Harika, teşekkürler.

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

I want to rent a car to three days.

I'd like to rent a car for three days.

Turkish "üç günlüğüne" uses a suffix. English uses "for" with a length of time.

The car is broken.

The car broke down.

When a car stops working on the road, English uses the phrasal verb "break down". "Broken" sounds like a part is physically damaged.

I got a punishment for parking.

I got a parking ticket.

Turkish "ceza" is a "ticket" or "fine" for traffic and parking. "Punishment" is for crimes or children.

I want full kasko.

I'd like full coverage.

"Kasko" is not an English word. Say "full coverage" or "comprehensive insurance". In the UK, also "zero excess".

I did an accident.

I had an accident.

Turkish "kaza yapmak" uses "yapmak", but English says "have an accident" or "be in an accident".

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. What is the British way to say "rent a car"?

  2. 2. The amount you pay yourself before insurance pays is the:

  3. 3. "Full to full" is a:

  4. 4. Your car stops working on the highway. You say:

  5. 5. Complete: "I ___ a small accident yesterday."

  6. 6. What is the American word for "petrol"?

  7. 7. You see damage before driving away. What do you say?

  8. 8. "Can I drop it off at a different location?" asks about:

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. hire a car
  2. deductible
  3. fuel policy
  4. The car broke down.
  5. had
  6. gas
  7. There's a scratch on the door.
  8. a one-way rental

See what the B1 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

What is the difference between "rent" and "hire" a car?+

They mean the same thing. Americans say "rent a car" and "car rental". British speakers often say "hire a car" and "car hire", though "rent" is also understood.

What is a deductible in car rental?+

It is the part of a damage cost you pay yourself before the insurance pays the rest. British English calls it the "excess". Full coverage usually reduces it, sometimes to zero.

Do I need an international driving permit?+

It depends on the country you visit and the license you hold. Check the rules for your destination and ask the rental company before you travel.

What should I check before I drive away?+

Walk around the car, take photos of every scratch and dent, and make sure they are on the form. Also check the fuel level, the fuel type and how to turn on the lights.

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