Tips for Car Travelers
In many countries, driver's licenses issued outside of that country are not recognized as valid, but in such countries, a temporary driving permit is issued instead.
Car insurance policies issued in your home country are often invalid in foreign countries, so you will need to obtain temporary car insurance that will be valid in the country you are visiting.
It is also recommended to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules of the country you have chosen.
Check the Car
The most important thing on a road trip is the reliable operation of your vehicle. Before you set off on your journey, take your car to a service station to ensure it is in good working order. You should understand that flat tires, malfunctioning brake pads, or a weak battery increase the risk of an emergency on the road. Additionally, don’t forget to check if your insurance policy covers car repairs abroad.
Take Spare Parts on the Road
No one is immune to car breakdowns on the road, especially when traveling long distances. Not all routes have auto repair services, so it's better to bring along an emergency kit. Also, don’t forget to take: a flashlight, a first aid kit, blankets, charging cables, a seatbelt cutter, roadside flares, a spare tire, a tool kit, a phone charger, and apps designed for recording car accidents.
The packing list for a road trip differs from that needed for a flight. Even if you cross state and international borders by car, you can bring food and drinks with you. Having snacks during the trip is a big plus, as it reduces the number of stops and saves money. Experienced travelers recommend bringing non-perishable and high-calorie foods, such as peanut butter, almonds and cashews, edamame, dry cereals, and dried fruits.
Plan Your Route
Everyone has GPS on their phones now, but it's better to prepare for the trip in advance rather than relying on Google Maps. Be sure to plan where you will spend the night. Don’t let a modest budget deprive you of a good night's sleep. Almost every tourist route has roadside hotels, campsites, or rest stops. If you plan to sleep in the car, don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag and blankets.
How to Rent a Car Abroad?
When going on vacation abroad, tourists use various modes of transportation. There is a group of tourists who use rail or air transport. But there is also a significant group of tourists who use road transport during their travels. It is worth noting that car tourism has become very popular in recent years. This type of travel allows you to go on a trip with your family, and you can also travel in multiple cars with relatives or friends. Such trips can be very interesting and often allow you to reduce your vacation costs per person, which is important.
The tourism business is closely linked to large car rental companies that provide their services. Car rental companies have their branches in almost every country where tourism is well developed. In most cases, these companies specialize in servicing travel agencies and companies in capitals and major cities, where a large number of tourists usually arrive. However, alongside these companies, there are also national companies that have a smaller share in this business sector. These companies have a developed network of small offices throughout the country. Additionally, in every country, there are small firms and companies that provide services to tourists within the radius of one or two cities.
For tourists who do not have much experience dealing with such companies, it is essential to know that it is safest to sign rental agreements only with large firms. However, there is one aspect that does not always please travelers - rental prices in such companies are somewhat higher than in smaller firms. When signing contracts with smaller companies, you should pay close attention. If there is no vehicle insurance and no rental agreement is signed, you should seriously consider whether to use the services of such a company.
Before renting a car, you should be well aware of your travel route, the time of arrival at your accommodation, and most importantly - the date of returning the vehicle to the car rental company. Therefore, you should acquire a detailed guide to the area or hire an experienced guide to avoid unpleasant situations.
When choosing a rental car, you should first decide on the make of the vehicle. It is best to select a type of car that you are familiar with, with its control system, meaning a type of car that you are used to driving in your daily life. After all, the convenience of driving a rented car will significantly affect your health and even your life. Once you have chosen a car, you need to discuss the rental cost with the company manager and be sure to sign the contract.
What documents will you need to rent a car? First of all, you need a driver's license, a credit card, and a passport. Regarding the rental agreement, you should carefully review all the terms of the contract. In this agreement, you must provide your address and phone number. You should also familiarize yourself with the vehicle's technical passport, which lists all the technical specifications of the car, as well as a section where all defects of the vehicle are recorded. You should pay close attention to this document and check the technical condition of the vehicle you have chosen. After all, you do not want to break down in some remote area and wait a long time for necessary assistance.
To avoid various misunderstandings, we emphasize once again that it is essential to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the rental agreement. In most cases, all documents for renting vehicles are written in English. Therefore, if you are not very proficient in English, you should read such a contract with the help of an electronic dictionary. It would be best if you have a travel companion who is fluent in English to help you translate this document.
You should also be aware that the rules for drafting a car rental agreement may differ from the rules and regulations that apply in your place of residence. For example, in the United States, you will not be allowed on the road without car insurance, while in European countries, obtaining such insurance is not mandatory. Therefore, it is important to remember all these simple yet crucial rules, and we hope that during your travels, you will not encounter any problems, and that your journey will be interesting and enjoyable.