What must a car hand-over and return report contain?

Q&A • Car rental

What must a car hand-over and return report contain?

The hand-over and return report is the proof of the car's condition on the day it leaves and the day it comes back. Without it, a discussion about a scratch cannot be settled.

Short answer

  1. Note the parties, the date and the time of hand-over.
  2. Identify the car: registration number and chassis number (VIN).
  3. Record the mileage and the fuel level.
  4. Describe the condition of the bodywork and interior, with photos, and the list of accessories handed over.
  5. Collect the signatures of both parties, at hand-over and at return.

The checklist

  • Registration number, VIN, make and model.
  • Mileage and fuel level, at hand-over and at return.
  • Existing scratches, dents or defects, marked and photographed.
  • Documents and accessories: papers, spare wheel, kit, cables.
  • The name and signature of both parties.

A legal note

The exact content and legal effects of the document depend on the rental contract. You agree the text of the contract and the report with your legal adviser.

How SoftAuto helps

  • The report is filled in on the booking, with mileage, fuel and notes.
  • The differences between hand-over and return stay recorded on the same booking.

See also