Euro-MPs driving change in car hire

4.18.19pm GMT Thu 7th Sep 2006

Baroness Sarah Ludford is supporting a European Parliament declaration (similar to a Westminster early day motion) calling on Europe's car hire industry to either shape up or face EU consumer protection regulation.

Millions of European citizens rent cars every year. However, the car hire industry remains essentially unregulated. Euro-MPs are calling for new measures including the development of a Europe-wide standard car rental agreement that is clear, concise, and available in different languages.

Baroness Ludford said:

"At present, people run the gauntlet of cowboy operators when they rent a car, especially abroad. Reports of over-charging on credit cards, excess charges for essentials such as child seats, inflated fuel costs and other mysterious extra expenses are all too common."

"There is also a real risk when hiring abroad that much of the important detail gets lost in translation."

"This is an important initiative from Euro-MPs to help stop holidaymakers and business travellers getting ripped off. It is time the car hire industry put the brake on these kinds of dodgy practices!"