As Halloween approaches, we’d like to share with you some common driving abroad mistakes that can give travellers a fright on holiday! Make sure to avoid these common pitfalls and you’ll have a hassle-free time in your rental car!
Forgetting which side of the road to drive on | Not checking up on foreign road laws | Forgetting your documentation | Not getting a suitable rental car or extras | Be careful what road you drive down
Forgetting which side of the road to drive on
This may seem like an obvious thing to avoid, however, you’ll be surprised how often your muscle memory will try to swerve you onto the side of the road you drive on in your home country. Keep your wits, beware!
Not checking up on foreign road laws
Highway code – although most of Europe follows similar road laws, it’s worth brushing up on local road laws and speed limits to ensure you don’t accidentally break the law! This especially applies if you’re renting outside of Europe.
Road etiquette – different countries have different road etiquettes and common practices. For instance, flashing your lights or beeping your horn may convey something entirely different in another country.
Read up on our driving guides for more information on road laws and common practices.
Forgetting your documentation!
Bring your driving licence abroad – forgetting your driver’s licence will be a nightmare as you will be refused the rental car!
Apply for an International driving permit if needed – You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. An IDP translates your driving licence into a format that is internationally recognised.
Not getting a suitable rental car or extras
Prepare for the weather – be cautious if you’re renting in a country that’s due to have heavy snow! Get snow chains as an added local extra to stay safe in heavy snowfall.
Prepare for location – it may be worth renting a smaller car if you plan to drive to old cities and towns where parking spots are scarce and roads are slim. Alternatively, if you plan to drive long distances, we recommend you get a car that is more comfortable for a road trip.
Prepare for your passengers and luggage – make sure the car you’ve rented is big enough for you and your passengers! You wouldn’t want anyone left behind….
For more information on what car suits your holiday needs, check out our blog on rental car luggage capacities!
Be careful what road you drive down…
Toll roads – toll roads can catch you off guard! Make sure to arrange paying for your tolls within the rental process or take your chances avoiding them. If a toll transponder is needed, you can opt in for one during step 1 of the booking process.
Getting lost in busy cities – driving in busy cities at home can be overwhelming, let alone a busy city in another county! Driving through a city can be a terrific way to see the sights, we just recommend you have a route planned out first.
We take the fear and stress out of car rental!
You can have peace at mind when renting a car with Zest! We only work with trusted providers that we regularly monitor to prevent any common car hire malpractices from happening! Get our industry-leading Top-up insurance added to your rental for more protection on the rental vehicle.
For more Halloween content, read our blogs on the scariest car rental scams or 11 haunted holiday locations to visit.
