Geneva car rental - driving to France
 

On local news this AM the some customers have experienced problems renting cars on the Swiss side, but driving to France for the majority of their stay. No indication that customers who have done so are experiencing problems, but apparently some of the car agents are refusing to rent if they know this is the purpose. The problem is that taxes are collected in CH when product used mostly in the EU. Also, according to FR law, cars used for this purpose need to be imported and duties and fees charged.

There is no issue with cars rented on the French side of the airport and driven to either CH or FR. This can often be cheaper!

Although it is a little complicated going from international arrivals to the French sector (and vv) it can be done.

A list of agencies on both sides, and detailed instructions of how to get from one to the other, can be found here.

This is a strange little anomaly but why do European car rental agencies make a fuss about this kind of thing? It's surely quite obvious that a large number of people renting a car in Europe, especially at airports close, or actually on international borders will at some point take that car outside the country it was rented in. Surely they could just include any charges relating these kind of tax issues in the price if the customer states they are or the agency have reason to believe the customer will be taking the car outside or into the EU? Perhaps they could just use numberplate recognition which is found at many of the schengen border crossings and relay the charge back to those who take the car abroad?

I often wonder why there isn't some Pan European rental car registration system, making it easier for people to rent in one country and drop off in another avoid quirks like the one you mention.

edi_local If you start asking for closer integration in Europe, you'll have this thread in JB by midnight ... http://cdn.pprune.org/images/smilies/icon25.gif

edi_local

This likely unique to Swiss registered cars driven to neighbouring EU countries. It wouldn't apply between FR and BE, or between DE and NL, etc. All EU countries and freedom of movement of goods and services would preclude that. And it isn't for cars taken outside of the country of rental for a few hours, or even a few days. It's for cars rented in CH that spend less than an hour total in CH and used primarily in the neighbouring country.

For years the French just ignored it. But they need taxes now, and are looking for every centime they can get.

As I noted you likely can get a cheaper car from the French side (and still be on the motorway in less than 5 minutes).

So what is going to happen with all the winter car reservations, including mine for 2017, where the car is booked in CH and driven to a French ski-resort? I've never had to declare where I will go because the list of included/allowed countries is very extensive. Is this a new thing and can I expect some problems in 2017 for a booking already made? Indeed, how will they know if you declare you shall be 'touring' in & out of CH? Are they going to introduce date stamps at the borders? The delays would be humungous.
I have been irritated when renting in other EU countries and having to pay a charge to cross a border to another EU country. e.g. Romania - Bulgaria. Spain - Portugal, Italy - Austria. Is that restriction allowed or is it a stealth tax under a disguise?

As I understand things currently, during the winter, the cars on the Swiss side will have winter tyres fitted, and therefore be legal in CH, D and A. French cars do not have to be fitted with winter tyres, so there is the possibility that a car hired on the French side will be illegal if you cross back into CH.

Well, Caveat Emptor ... (And blame the frogs)

As a Geneva resident i have heard this being a problem for us swiss residents, as we are exporting a service. I've heard stories of people being stopped at customs.
But i was never aware it was a problem for visitors.

I've booked a car in GVA.CH for March 2017. I've just received this from BA.

Dear Customer,

I am contacting you with further information regarding your Avis car hire reservation in Switzerland.

A new EU Directive means that any customer wishing to drive into another country must advise Avis at time of pick up. EU residents can only drive a vehicle with an EU license plate out of Switzerland therefore all customers will be asked to sign a document when collecting the car to advise of their plans. Avis endeavour to provide all EU customers wanting to drive out of the country an EU plate car. If you are given a non-EU plate car and you drive out of the country you could be liable for a charge at the border (10% of the value of the car). This charge is made at the border therefore it is imperative you sign the document at the depot so that Avis can give you the correct vehicle for your plans.

As part of our commitment to customer service, we like to ensure that our customers are made aware of such information prior to travel. This email is for clarification purposes and I trust this will not affect your stay or enjoyment in any way.

In closing, I would like to thank you for booking with British Airways Holidays, and wish you an enjoyable trip.

Make sure you ask (insist) for Winter Tyres!

Anyone have an idea what 'new EU Directive' is to blame? My understanding it was the French deciding to enforce existing French law, not something coming from the EU.

It's very easy to blame the EU for everything.

The relevant text is in Article 215 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2446
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-conte...5R2446&from=EN

That link is for a 557 page .pdf !

I did say it was an EU regulation. Why are you surprised?

Does this apply in the opposite direction? I intend to hire a car at Malpensa and drive to Switzerland and thence in and out of both countries during my stay.

Akro

As I understand it - 2015/2446 makes it illegal for an EU citizen to drive a car with non-EU registration inside the EU. If you aren't an EU citizen I don't think it applies to you. Some Swiss hire car firms are laying in stocks of German registered cars so that you can drive them into the EU, but you need to make sure you've asked for one in advance.

Of course many hire car firms charge higher fees if you want to take the car out of the country, with some justification as it can affect insurance risks, required equipment (like making sure it has high-viz jackets, spare bulbs and pocket breathalysers if you're going into france) and potential hassle if you have an accident in another country. Some hire car firms siimply refuse to permit taking their cars out of the country to avoid hassles (as they are entitled to do).

I'm fairly sure I've seen similar situations sometimes when hiring cars in the USA for going either out of the state or into Canada/Mexico - the bigger hire firms are happy with it but the smaller ones aren't.

PDR

PDR1 - the law on breathalysers was never put into effect by the French. Technically still on the books but never enforced. I don't even think you can buy them anymore. I had some but they were years beyond the 'use-by' date before I binned them.

If you are coming to Switzerland and take the car into EU for a day I don't think this rule applies. For example if your in the West and want to drive to Ticino, the quickest route is through Italy.

As I understand it - 2015/2446 makes it illegal for an EU citizen to drive a car with non-EU registration inside the EU.

Is this really true? An ex-pat Brit is based in Switzerland for a few years. He doesn't have a green card and retains his UK passport. he needs a car and buys a CH reg car as is required by local laws for a 'resident'. He now wants to go on holiday to France/Italy/Austria/Spain. According to this law he would be illegal in his CH car. How can this be sensible or practical?
CH has a trade agreement with EU; it is in Schengen; residents from EU & CH can work in each-others country. How can this law be enforceable?
What happens to ex-pats in Andorra, Liechtenstein, Albania, San Marino, and any others in countries neighbouring eastern EU? Daft.
How does this law benefit the EU? What costs does it save? Was there a problem?

RAT5, I believe it is an EU resident, regardless of nationality. Lots of EU nationals live in CH and drive CH registered cars.

Resident makes more sense than citizen: not a lot when you consider what the rule is trying to achieve and what it will achieve.

Cousin visiting, rented a car from the French Sector without hassle (but also without CHF40 motorway vignette). Car came with French plates and was about 40% cheaper than Swiss side after the vignette included in price. Besides pickup/dropoff will be 100% in CH