5 Tips for Staying Safe When Renting Cars Abroad

Whether visiting another country by plane, cruise ship, or train, you might want to rent a vehicle for self-directed exploration. 

When renting a car, you must take certain steps to ensure you don’t face nasty surprises such as extra charges on your bill that you never anticipated. Consider these five tips for staying safe when renting cars abroad so that you remember your vacation for all the right reasons.

1. Research Local Driving Laws

One of the first things to do when considering a car rental in another country is to research the driving laws in place. Don’t assume that everything is the same as it is at home. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse, so you can’t expect the police to give you a reminder rather than a fine.

So, learn about local driving rules, see if there are traffic signs you might be unfamiliar with, and check the speed limits on roads and highways so you don’t get pulled over and ticketed on vacation.

2. Book Far in Advance

It’s also important to book well in advance. The last thing you want is to wait until the last moment and find you can’t book a vehicle–any vehicle.

So, to avoid disappointment and to steer clear of having to pay more than would be the case if you had booked sooner, book early. You’ll get more competitive pricing, more vehicle options, and more easily secure extras like GPS units or child seats. 

3. Consider Car Insurance Options

Depending on where you’re headed, you may or may not need additional vehicle insurance coverage. But don’t just assume either way. Speak with your car insurance provider, let them know your travel plans, and ask whether you’ll need extra coverage for car rentals in other countries.

If your car rental vehicle is damaged in an accident, you should ensure you’re covered. Buy additional coverage if you need it. 

Accidents, whether at home or abroad, are always a possibility. If you’re enjoying your host nation in a car rental and get into an accident with someone driving anything from a small car to a commercial truck, you’ll need help. In addition to being banged up by the accident, you may suffer injuries that cut your trip short and leave you with bad memories of your trip. That’s when you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer to help you file a claim for compensation. Avoiding accidents is best. But knowing what to do should the worst occur will give you peace of mind.

4. Obtain an International Driving Permit

Depending on the country you’re visiting, an international driving permit might be required. Look into whether or not you’ll need one. It’s often a must if the information on your license is not in the local language.

Obtaining one is usually easy. But look into the requirements and, if you need one, get one as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

5. Inspect the Car Thoroughly Before Leaving

You must inspect the vehicle thoroughly before driving it off the rental lot. Ensure any damage to the car is listed on the rental agreement. Otherwise, the rental company might assume any damage was caused by you. So, inspect the vehicle for scratches, dents, chips, and other other damage, whether significant or seemingly insignificant.

While inspecting the vehicle, look at the tires. It’s unfortunately not unheard of for the tires of rental vehicles to be underinflated. You’ll want everything to be in good order before driving off the lot.

Traveling to another country for a vacation can provide opportunities for new experiences. And renting a car can give you some independence to go where you want whenever you want.

But if the plan is to be your own tour guide and get around and explore the area, you’ll want to know how to go about renting a car in a foreign nation.