How to rent a car in Algeria safely

Renting in Algeria is done directly: you pick the car, call the owner or agency, and agree the price, the duration and where to collect it. There is no booking through Ekriha and no payment on the site — we publish the listing and stop there. Before you call, settle three things: the duration in days, whether you need a driver, and whether you are leaving the wilaya. Those three move the price more than anything else, and asking on the first call saves you two more. Ask about the deposit plainly: how much, in what form, and when it comes back. Also ask about any mileage limit, who pays for fuel, and what happens if the car breaks down on the road. Expect to show your ID card and a valid driving licence. Some agencies require a licence older than two or three years: that is their condition, not the law — ask early. A proof of residence may also be requested. In return, you are entitled to ask for: the vehicle registration document, a valid insurance certificate, and a handover record noting the car’s condition and mileage. A serious agency will not object to any of these. At handover, photograph the car on all four sides and inside before you drive off, in front of the owner. Those photos are your only evidence if you later disagree about a scratch. Two minutes that prevent an entire dispute. If the car comes from a verified agency on Ekriha, that means we checked its official documents — nothing more. The vehicle’s condition, the price and honouring the agreement remain the agency’s responsibility, and verifying remains yours.