One of the best ways to enjoy a trip is by having a rental car. It allows you to explore all the places you want to and saves you from the frustrations that come with choosing the best tour offers.
Proper preparation is necessary for anyone that wants to get a rental car abroad as it can turn out to be expensive. The tips below will ensure that you save your money and get the best car rentals.
Make sure that your driving license is valid before you start the trip. Do some research to find out the paperwork needed for the trip, depending on the location you plan to visit. You will most likely need to share your driving history with the rental company so that they can verify that you are fit to drive. Some places require an International Driving Permit, so find out if this is the case.
Make sure you have your credit card because you will almost likely need it for the deposit when you rent the car. You should also find out what items you need to have inside the car when driving at the location, then confirm that these items are in the car when you’re renting it. Failure to do this could mean that you will get fined if you do not have the requirements.
You should note down the emergency number for the car rental company because it will be useful in case of breakdown. You can call them and have them give you a different car if the breakdown cannot be remedied immediately.
Doing some research on the traffic rules of the location that you will be visiting is best, as that will ensure you do not break the traffic rules and get expensive tickets/fines.
Find out what the car runs on (petrol or diesel) and how to know what fuel to get for the car. You should also compare various fuel prices and preferably shop in local supermarkets as they will most likely have lower prices than motorway stations.
Find out the correct side of the road to drive in for the country you are visiting, as well as the common road signs available. Be aware of any signs that are in a different language.
It is best to have excess insurance for the car hire because it will prevent you from paying hefty costs in case you get into an accident or if the vehicle is stolen while in your ownership. If you take a few trips every year, then annual car hire excess insurance will often pay for itself.
