Fes Car Rental: How to Avoid Rim Charges in Tight Streets

Rim charges are one of the most frustrating “small damage” surprises travelers face in Fes. You can return the car clean, on time, with a full tank, then get flagged for a scuffed wheel or a scratched alloy rim that happened during a single tight parking moment near the medina edges. Fes has narrow streets, uneven curbs, and busy traffic patterns that make wheel damage more likely than in wide-grid cities.

The good news is that most rim charges are preventable. In 2026, the best protection is a mix of smart car choice, calm driving habits, and simple documentation at pickup and return. This guide explains how rim damage happens in Fes, what to do in tight streets, and how to build “proof” that keeps disputes from becoming charges. If you want to compare vehicles as you read, start with Car Rental Fez and narrow your options based on how much city-edge driving you expect. Many travelers reduce risk by choosing an easy-to-park option from cheap car rental, while others prefer comfort in higher categories like luxury car hire Fez and simply drive more cautiously around curbs.

1) Why rim damage is common in Fes (and why tourists get blamed)

Fes is not a city where you “just pull in” everywhere. Around medina access points, you’ll see narrow lanes, tight turns, and parking areas where curbs are high or irregular. Wheel damage often happens at low speed: you turn a little too early, clip a curb while parallel parking, or roll the rim against a stone edge when you’re trying to avoid a scooter. Because it’s low-speed, drivers often don’t even notice it. Then at return, the mark is obvious under bright inspection light.

Rentals also make this more sensitive because many cars use alloy rims that show scratches clearly. Some cars have low-profile tires, which provide less “rubber cushion” between the rim and the curb. Add nighttime visibility changes, unfamiliar street layouts, and the pressure of finding parking quickly, and rim marks become one of the most likely outcomes for visitors who drive near the old city.

The key idea is that rim damage is rarely about aggressive driving. It’s about tight geometry and rushed decisions. Your best defense is to slow down and remove the rush.

2) Choose the right car if your priority is “no rim drama”

The simplest way to reduce rim risk is to choose a car that is forgiving. In practice, that usually means a smaller car with a bit more tire sidewall. Smaller cars are easier to position in narrow streets and easier to correct if your angle is slightly wrong. Tires with more sidewall (not ultra-thin low-profile tires) tend to absorb small curb touches better than sporty setups.

If most of your time will be around the city edges and you want low-stress parking, browsing cheap car rental options often reveals practical compact cars that are easier in tight areas. If you prefer a premium feel, that’s fine, but remember that some premium cars have bigger rims and thinner tires, which increases the chance of cosmetic marks. If you’re choosing comfort through luxury car hire Fez, plan to park more carefully and use wider, simpler parking spots even if it means a short walk.

One more underrated factor is visibility. A car with good mirrors and a comfortable seating position makes it easier to judge curb distance. You don’t need a big car; you need a car you feel confident placing precisely.

3) The curb approach that prevents 80% of rim scratches

Rim damage happens when your wheel meets the curb at the wrong angle. The goal is to avoid “sideways rubbing.” When parking, keep your speed extremely low and approach slowly enough that you can stop instantly. If you’re parallel parking, don’t “swing” into the spot fast, use small corrections. Many drivers cause rim scratches when they do one big steering move instead of two or three gentle adjustments.

If you feel uncertain about the curb height or distance, stop and reset. There is no prize for finishing the maneuver quickly. A slow reset is cheaper than a rim charge. If you have a passenger, use them as a spotter for the last 30 centimeters. In tight Fes streets, a spotter is not embarrassing, it’s smart.

Another practical tactic is to choose “easy parking” over “perfect parking.” If a spot looks tight, skip it. Park in a wider area and walk. The walk is part of the Fes experience anyway, and it’s often faster than forcing a tight spot.

4) Tight-street driving: positioning habits that keep wheels safe

In narrow streets, most tourists hug the curb because they fear oncoming traffic. That’s when rims get scraped. The safer strategy is to keep a centered position whenever possible and only move closer to the edge when you’re sure the curb is smooth and the shoulder is safe. If a scooter or pedestrian appears, avoid snapping your steering toward the curb, slow down instead. Slowing down gives you time to choose a safer line.

Be especially careful near medina gates and popular drop-off zones where movement is chaotic. These areas are full of sudden stops and tight turns. Your wheel risk is highest here because you’re distracted by navigation, crowds, and finding a place to pull over. If you can, choose a drop-off point slightly away from the tightest area. A 2–3 minute walk is often worth it.

At night, double your caution. Lighting changes how curbs look, and shadows can hide the true curb edge. If you don’t like the look of a street at night, don’t force it, park earlier and finish on foot.

5) The pickup inspection that protects you from “existing rim marks”

Some rim charges are not caused by you. They come from existing marks that were not documented clearly at pickup. That’s why rim photos are one of the most valuable things you can do in the first five minutes.

At pickup, take:

• A clear photo of each wheel/rim (front left, front right, rear left, rear right)
• A short video walkaround that includes the wheels close-up
• A photo of the odometer and fuel gauge

Make sure the wheel photos show the rim edge clearly. If you see an existing scratch, take one close-up and one wider shot so it’s obvious which wheel it is. This is the simplest way to prevent being blamed for old damage.

6) Tire pressure and why it matters for rim protection

Tire pressure sounds unrelated to rim charges, but it plays a role. Underinflated tires can make the tire sidewall flex more, which can reduce stability and make curb contact more damaging. Overinflated tires can make the ride harsher and reduce the tire’s “give.” You don’t need to obsess, just confirm the tires look healthy and not visibly low.

If a tire looks underinflated at pickup, mention it immediately. Driving on a soft tire increases the risk of wheel and tire damage, especially in a city with irregular curbs and occasional rough patches.

7) Return day: how to avoid a rim dispute

Return day is where documentation pays off. Before you arrive at the return point, stop in good light if possible and take quick wheel photos again. If the return happens at night, use your phone flashlight and take clear images. Then do a slow walkaround video that includes the rims. This gives you “before handover” proof.

If staff inspect the car, stay present and calm. If they point to a mark, you can check your pickup photos immediately. Often, the conversation becomes easy when you can show that the mark existed before. Even when the mark is new, clear documentation helps keep the discussion factual rather than emotional.

The biggest mistake is rushing the return. Give yourself time so you’re not pressured to sign quickly. A five-minute buffer can save a lot of money and stress.

Quick answers

Why do rental companies charge for rims? Because alloy rims are easy to scratch and costly to refurbish, especially when multiple marks add up. How can I avoid rim charges in Fes? Choose a manageable car, park slowly with small corrections, avoid tight curb spots, and take wheel photos at pickup and return.

Are rim scratches always obvious when they happen? Not always. Many scratches happen at very low speed and drivers don’t notice until inspection. That’s why careful parking and documentation are your best protection.

Avoiding rim charges in Fes is mostly about slowing down and documenting smartly. Choose a car you can place confidently, skip tight parking spots, use small steering corrections, and photograph all four rims at pickup and return. To browse vehicle options that fit your trip style, start with Car Rental Fez, compare practical city-friendly choices in cheap car rental, or choose comfort through luxury car hire Fez and drive with extra curb awareness in tight streets.