RIYADH: Rented cars can be returned to the leasing office before the end of the term requested by the user, and there is no need to make payment for the remaining period.

The Ministry of Transport made this announcement on its official Twitter account, saying: "The lessee may return the rented car to the lease office before the end of the contracted term without having to pay the costs of the remaining period."

Speaking to Arab News on Tuesday, Yusuf Imam, a senior executive at Budget, the American car rental company operating here, said: "Yes, it is true that the customer need not pay for the remaining days, in case of returning the rented car before the agreed time.”

He said that charges are levied on a daily as well as on a monthly basis. "So, if a person rents a car for a month and returns it before that, he will pay per day, not for the entire month.”

In case an extension of the lease is needed, the lessee has to renew it every month, he said.

"This is really good. If, due to circumstances, you choose to return it before the end of the lease, you need not worry about paying for the remaining term," said Waleed Jameed, a sales executive here who had rented a car for 20 days and returned it on 17th, getting money back for the remaining three days.

He told Arab News that the ministry’s clarification is welcome as it makes clear to all how the system works. Cars are frequently rented in the Kingdom, especially by newcomers who cannot afford to buy a car.