Fuel Policy
The fuel policy is simply the agreement about petrol or diesel: how full the tank is when you take the car, how full it should be when you bring it back, and what happens if the two do not match. It sounds trivial, but the wrong policy can quietly add a lot to your bill.
The fairest and most common option is full-to-full: you get a full tank and return it full, paying only for the fuel you actually used. Top up at a station near the drop-off and keep the receipt.
The one to watch is full-to-empty (sometimes called prepaid fuel): you pay for a tank up front and return the car empty. You rarely manage to run it down to fumes, so you end up paying for fuel you leave behind — and often at a marked-up rate.
Before you drive off, photograph the fuel gauge and note the agreed policy on the contract. A two-second photo settles any dispute about the level at pickup.
Related terms
Full-to-Full
The fairest fuel policy: collect the car with a full tank and return it full, paying only for what you use.
Refuelling Fee
A charge applied when you return the car with less fuel than agreed — often the fuel plus a service fee.
Fuel Deposit
A pre-charge for a tank of fuel under a prepaid policy, refunded or not depending on how you return the car.