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CAR HIRE
The best way of getting out and about in Ibiza has to be renting a car if not for the whole of your holiday, just to have a couple of days out enjoying the rest of the island. Book early if you want a convertable, they book out quickly. If you are arriving in August, book well in advance.
You have to be over 21 years old to hire a car in Ibiza and have a photo card driving licence.
UK drivers note - The old green UK licence is (officially) not valid abroad, without a translation or International Driving Permit.
As you would everywhere, check your car inside and out before you leave the hire location and report any damage to the rental desk. Take out as much insurance as possible, it is not that the driving in Ibiza is much worse than anywhere else, but the parking habits of others can be quite an eye opener.
Hints and tips:
Whoever you book with, book before you go. Many companies sell out in high season (July/August) and you will not find a quality car at the last minute.
Internet discount companies demand that you pre-pay, and out of height season, you may well find a cheeper deal in the resorts. We discovered that pre-paid rental cars offer NO REFUND if you return the car early.
BEWEARE DRIVING AROUND ROUNDABOUTS! - Most seasoned local drivers will think nothing of using the wrong lane to drive right around the roundabout, and over-take at the same time. Rounderbouts are a new thing in Ibiza... BE AWARE it is very very annoying - but is keeping the body shops busy.
Being highly competitive, local suppliers do have great rates and can provide a greater range of cars that the multi nationals. Out of season there are some great offers, so if you are visiting to explore the island, avoid high season, and enjoy what is effectivly a free upgrade.
Take all the Collision Damage Waver (CDW) insurance you can afford, if staying/parking around Ibiza Town, or the club car parks, you are likely to pick up some bumps in the height of summer.
Avis have proven to be a little sharkish when returning a car with a chipped windscreen (charging twice the cost of a new screen) so keep away from buses and trucks on country lanes, as they have been known to break brances off, which will land on you.
DO NOT not assume that the multi-nationals are better at maintenance. It is just not true. I have had a car from AVIS (again), and the door set on fire when I switched on the ignition on. After a formal complaint, I eventually got a refund.
Drink driving limits are around two glasses of wine. It is best not to - designate a driver.
If you are in an accident, as you would anywhere else, take the driver and car details, of the other party, co-operate with the police, but ask for an official translation of anything that you may be asked to sign (like a statement).
Parking.
 Unfortunately, Ibiza Town Hall has woken up to the possibilities of raking in lots of cash from expired parkers (or expired parking tickets). This appears to have caused even more congestion around town (three official parking spaces, taking up the space of five unofficial spaces). It also has left many expecting to find a parking place, where they wouldn't have previously bothered.
A considerable number of parking places, in particular disabled places have been removed altogether by the pedestrianisation of the harbour area. So things are getting worse - as the town is so small, it is clogging up with people looking for a place.
The marked parking places seem to be well patrolled by the island's traffic wardens. They are marked in blue, with the word 'TICKET' and an arrow painted in the space, and take €1 coins. Fill up the machine, take a ticket and stick it in the window screen. Keep an eye on the time, if you over stay your paid period (usually 2 hours max), you will get a 'fine ticket' which you can within three hours cancel, by feeding it back into the parking ticket machine, with a three euro fine. - You may also be towed.
Between 2pm and 4pm and after 10pm you do not have to pay, but this varies from zone to zone - so check the ticket machine.
If you are hiring a car in Ibiza, and have a disabled badge, take it with you. You may not find any usable disabled spaces, but it could save you some parking tickets as parking on metered spaces is free.
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