Rental car, Turo, and equipment rentals: photos to take at pickup and return

Do this before you drive away, even if you're in a hurry and even if an agent already marked the damage sheet. Your own dated photos are the ones you control.

At pickup

• All four sides, plus the front and rear bumpers, standing far enough back to fit the whole car
• Close-ups of every scratch, dent, and scuff, with a wider shot showing where it is
• Windshield and windows: chips and cracks
• Wheels and rims: curb scrapes are a common charge
• Seats, floor, and trunk: stains, tears, burns
• The dashboard with the car on: mileage, fuel or charge level, and any warning lights

At return

• The same angles, in the return lot, before you hand over the keys
• Mileage and fuel or charge level again
• Anything you'd like noted, and a photo of the return receipt or check-in screen

Renting tools, cameras, or machines?

Same idea: capture every side, the model and serial number label, all accessories laid out together, and any existing wear. A short video showing it runs is worth taking too.

Rental companies and car-sharing platforms have their own photo and damage rules. Check them, and report damage through the official process. This is general information, not legal advice.