If your driving record is poor, you may find it next to impossible to rent a car. In an industry where profit margins are tight and overheads high, companies are simply not willing to take unnecessary risks. For those lucky enough to be able to rent, rates and terms can be confusing – and expensive, so you should have a clear idea of what you are looking for and what to expect from rental companies before proceeding.

Go through our checklist, below, to help you make the right decisions about your rental. Before you even make contact with a rental firm, think about what kind of model you want. This will help you to avoid hasty decisions and unnecessary expense. The terms "compact," "mid-size," and "luxury" may vary from company to company. Be prepared for that, or fix your terms and ask for a model which corresponds to them.

The majority of people are interested in car rentals when they're on vacation. But what many travels may not realize is that car rental in the United States, or North America in general, is different than car rentals in other countries like Europe.

Car rental in the United States is usually very simple to do. The better known, and perhaps safest, car rental agencies can easily be found in a phone book like your local White or Yellow Pages. It's even possible to find car rental agencies on the Internet. If you're looking for a car rental in the United States, all you need to do is take the phone numbers you find in the phone book or online, and call each car rental agency. Ask for the agency's location, car availability and partnerships with any airlines or hotels. Don't forget to ask about any special deals or rates, like group rates.

Many people who visit Ireland will admit that budget is still something of a concern for them. A vacation these days does not have to be costly, so people who are watching their pennies will be pleasantly surprised to find that a trip to the Emerald Isle is still quite affordable for them. With such options as last-minute deals on airfare, off-season rates for hotels and discount packages to attractions and restaurants, many travellers are delighted to find that Ireland is more accessible and affordable than ever before.