GoodCars Self-Service Car Pickup & Return Guide | Step-by-Step with Photos

Last updated: April 2026
First time using GoodCars and not sure how self-service pickup works? This complete guide walks you through every step — from placing your order and uploading documents, to picking up and returning your vehicle. We cover fees, what to do in common situations, and answer the questions we hear most. GoodCars operates staffed service branches and 24-hour self-service stations (car park pickup and return) across 12 cities in Taiwan, so whether you're picking up at a branch during the day or grabbing your keys at midnight, this guide has you covered.
📋 What's in This Guide
- 📝 Before Pickup (order, document upload, payment, e-contract)
- 🚗 Pickup Process (Staffed Branch vs. Self-Service Station)
- 🔄 Return Process (fuel card, mileage fee, ETC, key handback)
- 💰 Fee Breakdown (mileage, overtime, ETC, parking)
- ⚠️ Common Situations & How to Handle Them
- ❓ FAQ — 7 Most-Asked Questions
📝 Before Pickup | Complete These Steps First
Whether you're picking up at a staffed branch or a self-service station, complete these three steps before you arrive:
Step 1 — Book Online
Visit goodcars.tw to select your pickup date, location, and vehicle. The system calculates your total in real time. You can also book through Klook or Trip.com.
📌 Tip: Popular vehicles and public holiday periods book out fast — reserve at least 3–7 days in advance.
Step 2 — Upload Your Documents
After your booking is confirmed, upload the following via the system link:
- Taiwan residents: National ID (front & back) + valid driver's license
- Foreign visitors: Passport + home country driver's license + International Driving Permit (IDP); Japanese visitors bring their Japanese license + an official Chinese translation instead (Taiwan–Japan reciprocity; a Japan-issued IDP is not accepted)
💡 The GoodCars team reviews your documents after upload. If anything is missing or unclear, we'll reach out to you directly.
Step 3 — Pay the Balance & Sign Your E-Contract
2–3 days before pickup, GoodCars will contact you to complete:
- 💳 Balance payment — credit card, processed online
- 📄 E-contract signing — completed digitally, no paper needed
- 💳 Credit card — a credit card in your own name (required for foreign visitors)
🚗 Pickup Process | Staffed Branch vs. Self-Service Station
GoodCars offers two pickup methods. Here's how each works:
🧑💼 Option A — Staffed Branch Pickup
GoodCars has 10 staffed branches across Taiwan with on-site staff to assist you face-to-face:
- ① Arrive at the branch and present your ID and booking confirmation
- ② A staff member walks you through the vehicle condition and how everything works
- ③ Review your contract, confirm details, and receive your keys
- ④ Take photos of the vehicle exterior on all sides (recommended for your records)
- ⑤ Drive away!
✅ Best for: First-time renters, anyone who wants to ask about insurance and the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan in person
🤖 Option B — Self-Service Station (24 Hours)
In 10 of our 12 cities (all except Hualien and Taitung) there are self-service stations (car park pickup and return) you can book online for any time from 00:00 to 23:55; Hualien and Taitung stations can be booked for 09:00–21:00, and for other hours call the branch in advance and we'll arrange it:
- ① Receive your vehicle location and parking bay number from GoodCars (including full vehicle photos for condition verification)
- ② Head to the designated car park (near the terminal or agreed location)
- ③ Find your bay — keys are inside the glove compartment on the passenger side
- ④ Cash for the car park exit fee is also in the glove compartment
- ⑤ Take photos of all four sides of the vehicle, then you're ready to go
✅ Best for: Late-night or early-morning arrivals, efficiency-focused travelers familiar with car rental

🔄 Return Process | 5 Simple Steps
🔄 Return Step by Step
- Step 1 — Check the Odometer: Check the odometer before returning — the mileage fee is (return odometer − pickup odometer) × the per-km rate. Whenever you need fuel along the way, ask the station attendant to fill up and pay with the dedicated fuel card inside the car (the card may not work at self-service pumps); you do not need to fill up before returning.
- Step 2 — Park in the Designated Spot: Return the vehicle to the agreed location and parking bay
- Step 3 — Return the Keys: Leave the key in the car (back in the passenger-side glove compartment) and close all doors — our staff lock the car remotely
- Step 4 — Fee Settlement: Mileage fee charged to your credit card based on distance driven; ETC highway tolls (NT$1.2 per km for rental cars) settled when you return the car
- Step 5 — Vehicle Inspection: The GoodCars team inspects the vehicle after return. If any issues are found, we'll contact you directly

💰 Fee Breakdown | What You'll Actually Pay
GoodCars pricing is transparent. Here's what makes up your total:
💰 Fee Items at a Glance
- 🔹 Vehicle Rental: Calculated by vehicle type and rental period. See live prices on the booking page. View all vehicle rates
- 🔹 Mileage Fee: per-km rate for your car type × actual distance driven, charged to your credit card at return; see the latest rates on the mileage fee page
- 🔹 ETC Highway Tolls: NT$1.2 per km for rental cars (every car has ETC), settled when you return the car
- 🔹 Overtime Fee: Late returns are charged according to the rental agreement; if your plans change, contact your pickup branch first
- 🔹 Credit Card: Foreign visitors need a credit card in their own name at pickup
- 🔹 Insurance: Basic Type-A coverage included in rental fee (third-party liability + vehicle damage; excess and coverage as published on the official website). The optional GO Worry-Free Protection Plan can be added to reduce your liability. View insurance details
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- Book on the official GoodCars website for current offers — the actual discount is shown on the booking page
- Weekday rentals are cheaper than weekends; avoid public holiday peaks for the best rates
- For short city trips, choose an economy car to keep your mileage fee low
- Use the dedicated fuel card for fuel along the way (ask the attendant to fill up and hand over the card) — you don't pay for fuel yourself and don't need to fill up before returning
🚗 Ready to Book Your Rental?
Get an instant quote, choose your vehicle, and pick your branch — all online in minutes.
Book Now⚠️ Common Situations & What to Do
🔧 Issues at Pickup
- Vehicle has damage or a fault → Contact your pickup branch first and follow their instructions
- Car is dirty or low on fuel → Contact customer service — we'll arrange a clean or vehicle exchange
- Can't find the vehicle → Double-check the bay number, or call customer service for real-time directions
🚨 Incidents During Your Rental
- Traffic accident → ① Call the police immediately ② Do NOT settle privately with the other party ③ Contact your pickup branch and follow their instructions
- Breakdown / vehicle won't start → Contact your pickup branch first and follow their instructions
- Police check → Vehicle registration and insurance card are in the glove compartment — have them ready to present
⏰ Return-Related Situations
- Returning late → Late returns are charged according to the rental agreement. If your plans change, contact your pickup branch first.
- Forgot to use the fuel card → If you paid for fuel yourself, keep the receipt — it can be credited in full against your mileage fee.
- Lost the fuel card → A replacement fee will be charged. Keep the card in a safe place throughout your rental.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What documents do I need to pick up the car?
Taiwan residents need their National ID and a valid driver's license. Foreign visitors need their passport, home country driver's license, and an International Driving Permit (IDP) (Japanese visitors: Japanese license + official Chinese translation instead), plus a credit card in their own name. All documents must be uploaded and approved after booking — don't leave this to the last minute.
Q2: What's the difference between a staffed branch and a self-service station?
At staffed branches, on-site staff handle your pickup and return in person, walk you through the vehicle, and can explain the insurance and the GO Worry-Free Protection Plan face-to-face. Self-service stations can be booked for any time from 00:00 to 23:55 — once all your pre-arrival steps are complete, you go directly to the car park, find your vehicle, and keys are waiting in the glove compartment. First-time renters should choose a staffed branch; once familiar with the process, the self-service option saves time.
Q3: How is the mileage fee calculated?
The mileage fee is the per-km rate for your car type × the actual distance driven (return odometer minus pickup odometer); see the latest rates on the mileage fee page. This is charged to your credit card at return. Fuel is paid using the dedicated fuel card inside the car — you don't need to cover it separately.
Q4: How are overtime fees charged?
Late returns are charged according to the rental agreement. If your plans change, contact your pickup branch first, and plan your return with a buffer.
Q5: How do I pay the ETC highway tolls?
Every GoodCars car has ETC. Highway tolls are charged at NT$1.2 per km for rental cars and settled when you return the car.
Q6: What do I do if I have a traffic accident?
Call the police immediately and do not reach a private settlement with the other party. Then contact your pickup branch and follow their instructions for insurance claims and vehicle handling. The vehicle registration and insurance card are in the glove compartment; present these to police or the other driver as needed.
Q7: Can I pick up in one city and return in another?
Yes! GoodCars supports one-way rentals (pick up in one location, return in another) — for example, picking up at Taoyuan Airport and returning at Kaohsiung Airport. The fee differs by pickup and return location — see the live quote on our website. Simply select different pickup and return locations when booking, or contact our online support team to confirm. View all branch locations
✨ That's All There Is to It
The GoodCars self-service process is designed to be intuitive: book online → upload documents → pay and sign → pick up your car → return the car. Five stages, and you're done. Whether you choose a staffed branch with face-to-face support or a 24-hour self-service station, the entire process is guided with clear instructions and real-time customer support available throughout.
Spend 5 minutes reading this before your trip, and once you're on the road, all that's left is enjoying Taiwan.
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