Question 1

What documents do I need to rent a car?

Accepted Answer

To rent a vehicle with 7M Rent a Car, you must present:
	•	A valid passport or national identification card.
	•	A valid driving licence that has been held for at least one full year at the moment of pickup.
	•	If your licence is not written using Roman characters (for example: Arabic, Russian, Chinese), we strongly recommend bringing an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to avoid misunderstandings during traffic inspections.

We also recommend ensuring that the name on your identification document matches exactly the name on the booking to avoid delays during the contract process.

Question 2

What is the minimum age to rent a car?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and you must have held a valid driving licence for at least one full year.
Drivers between 21 and 25 years old must pay a €40 young driver fee, which covers the entire duration of the rental (not per day). This fee reflects the additional risk associated with less experienced drivers, as recognised by insurance companies worldwide.

Question 3

Can someone else drive the car if I make and pay for the booking?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It is possible to reserve and pay for a vehicle even if someone else will pick it up and drive it. The person collecting the vehicle must present all required documents at the time of pick-up, including a valid driver’s licence and identification document.
Make sure all driver details are correct at the time of booking to avoid delays during pickup.

Question 4

What is the difference between Premium Insurance and CDW (Basic Insurance)?

Accepted Answer

At 7M Rent a Car, we offer two main insurance options:

Premium Insurance (Recommended)
This is the highest level of protection and is ideal for travellers who want maximum peace of mind. It covers all types of damages except in cases of:
	•	Clear negligence
	•	Misfuelling (putting the wrong fuel type)
	•	Improper or abusive use of the vehicle
	•	Intentional damage or reckless behaviour
	•	Loss of keys or vehicle documents

With Premium Insurance you only leave a €100 deposit, used as security for fuel discrepancies or fines. This deposit is fully refundable at the end of the rental if the vehicle is returned according to the contract. The €100 can be taken by credit or debit card.

CDW – Collision Damage Waiver (Basic Insurance)
CDW is the standard basic insurance used by many car rental companies. It requires a much higher deposit, usually between €1,000 and €3,000, depending on the vehicle category. This amount is blocked on a credit card (debit cards are not accepted for CDW).

The blocked amount may be used to cover:
	•	Any damage to the vehicle
	•	Negligence
	•	Traffic or parking fines
	•	Administrative fees related to incidents

CDW is more suitable for customers who prefer to keep a large deposit blocked instead of choosing the Premium Insurance.

Question 5

How long does it take for my deposit or pre-authorization to be released?

Accepted Answer

When you return the vehicle, our staff immediately cancels the pre-authorization or deposit and can provide a printed confirmation.
However, the time it takes for the money to become available again depends entirely on your bank or card provider. In most cases, it takes between 6 to 10 business days, but some international banks may take longer, especially during holiday periods.

Question 6

Are there tolls in Madeira?

Accepted Answer

No, there are no tolls anywhere on Madeira Island.
You can drive on highways, express roads, tunnels, mountain roads and coastal routes without paying any additional road fees. This makes Madeira one of the easiest and most enjoyable islands to explore by car.

Question 7

Are there mileage limits?

Accepted Answer

No. All rentals with 7M Rent a Car include unlimited mileage.
You are free to drive across the whole island — mountains, coastal roads, villages, viewpoints and scenic routes — without any restrictions or extra charges for distance.

Question 8

What is your fuel policy?

Accepted Answer

Vehicles must be returned with the same fuel level as at the time of pick-up.
If the vehicle is returned with less fuel, an additional refuelling fee will be applied. We always recommend checking the fuel level before returning the car to avoid extra costs.

Question 9

What fuel should I put in my vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Always check the fuel cap of the vehicle, where the correct fuel type is indicated.
Never refuel unless you are completely sure which fuel to use — if in doubt, please call us or ask a fuel station employee for assistance.

The most common fuel types are:
	•	Gasoline E5 – 95 Octane
	•	Gasoline E10 – 98 Octane
	•	Diesel – B7 Diesel

Using the wrong fuel can cause severe engine damage and may result in significant costs for the customer.

Question 10

Is smoking or bringing pets into the vehicle allowed?

Accepted Answer

No. Smoking and bringing pets inside the vehicle are not allowed.
Violating this rule may result in an additional cleaning fee and/or other penalties, depending on the condition in which the vehicle is returned.

Question 11

Do I need to wash the vehicle before returning it?

Accepted Answer

You are not required to wash the vehicle before returning it.
However, it must be returned in a condition consistent with normal use. Excessive dirt — such as a lot of sand, mud, difficult stains or a visibly neglected interior — may result in an additional cleaning fee, which covers the time and materials needed to prepare the car for the next customer.

Question 12

How do I find 7M Rent a Car at the airport?

Accepted Answer

Our airport service is designed to be simple, fast and comfortable.
When you land at Madeira Airport, please call +351 910 797 202. A 7M team member will be waiting for you inside the arrivals terminal and will guide you to our office, located just outside the airport structure.
The contract is completed at our office, and we hand over the vehicle fully cleaned, inspected and ready for your holiday.

Question 13

Do you offer pickup and drop-off outside opening hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but this service is exclusively available for airport rentals.
It is designed for customers with late-night or early-morning flights. For pickups or drop-offs at our local offices, all services must be performed during standard opening hours: 09:00 – 19:00.

Question 14

I want to cancel my booking. Will I be refunded?

Accepted Answer

Our refund policy is as follows:
	•	Up to 7 days before the reservation date: we refund 100% of the amount paid (minus fees).
	•	Up to 3 days before the reservation date: we refund 50% of the amount paid (minus fees).
	•	Less than 3 days before the reservation: no refund will be issued.

Returns via website regarding the withdrawal of reservations will be made according to the following rules:
	•	Up to 7 days before the reservation, we will refund 100% of the value (minus fees);
	•	Up to 3 days before booking, we will refund 50% of the amount (minus fees);
	•	Up to 3 days or less we do not refund the paid amount.

All bookings made in store will not be refundable.

Question 15

What happens if I cancel a reservation where no payment has been made?

Accepted Answer

If no payment has been made and you wish to cancel your reservation, simply send us an email or call our team. No further action is required. The cancellation will be processed promptly, and you will receive a confirmation email.

Question 16

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept credit or debit cards and bank transfers.
American Express, prepaid cards and virtual cards (for example, Revolut) cannot be used for deposits. To ensure your reservation is confirmed without issues, please use a standard bank card or a bank transfer. All payments are processed securely.

Question 17

I had an accident. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are involved in an accident during your rental, please follow these steps:
	1.	Gather information – Obtain the names, addresses and contact details of all persons involved, including any witnesses.
	2.	Avoid admitting responsibility – Do not make any statements that could imply you are at fault.
	3.	Protect the vehicle – Do not leave the vehicle unattended and take all necessary measures to safeguard it.
	4.	Notify the authorities – Contact the police immediately and report the accident.
	5.	Complete the Friendly Accident Declaration – Fill in the form with as much information as possible. Failure to do so may render the CDW and SCDW insurance options null and void.
	6.	Report to 7M Rent a Car – Inform 7M Rent a Car as soon as possible about any accident, loss, damage or theft.

Following these steps helps protect your safety and ensures compliance with the rental agreement and insurance conditions.

Question 18

What happens if I get a traffic fine during the rental?

Accepted Answer

If a traffic fine occurs during the rental period, you must notify us immediately and pay the fine on the spot or at one of our stations.
Each fine also carries a €25 administrative fee, payable at the counter at the time of processing.

Question 19

Promotional campaigns and discount codes

Accepted Answer

Apply exclusively to new reservations made during the official promotional period.

Reservations made before the start of any promotional campaign cannot be cancelled, modified, or rebooked for the purpose of obtaining promotional prices or conditions announced afterwards.

In such cases, the standard cancellation policy above remains fully applicable.

Frequently Asked

Trusted by many
travelers.

Frequently Asked

Trusted by manytravelers.

Trusted by many
travelers.