The best way to visit a foreign country is in your car or one you’ve rented. It’s more comfortable that way and it allows you to create your own itinerary. However, doing so requires a bit of preparation.
These are important since it can be challenging to drive on unfamiliar roads and with traffic regulations, you aren’t used to. Taking the time to prepare and learn about the country you’re visiting will pay off by making your trip safer and more comfortable.
Make Sure You Have the Right Documents
In order to legally drive abroad, you’ll need an international driving permit. This document needs to be produced together with a national permit and proof of identification when you get stopped by the traffic cops. You can find an international driving permit provider online and obtain the document within a week.
You’ll need to pay a small fee and provide photos to generate the document. It’s an inexpensive license that will allow you to drive in more than 150 countries for at least a year. There are penalties for not having the permit with you, so make sure you’re set up before the trip.
Take The Time to Experience The Car
Once you’ve rented the vehicle for your trip, take the time to learn a bit about it and to get familiar with how it drives. This will make you more confident and safer on the road and allow you to engage in traffic as you would with your own car.
Drive slowly at first and don’t hesitate to drive a few times around a parking lot or in a street that doesn’t have too much traffic. This is especially true if the country you’re visiting has different rules than your own – such as driving on the wrong side.
Take Breaks When Ever You Can
Taking breaks is essential for your safety during a long road trip. It’s best not to drive more than four hours without a break and if you’re an inexperienced driver it too can be too long. These breaks can be used as an excuse to get to know the locals and experience the country you’re visiting first hand.
Obviously, there are no rules as to when you need to take a break, and if you’re feeling tired there’s nothing wrong with stopping more often.
Make Use of The GPS
Most accidents happen because you’re not familiar with the local roads. This can easily be avoided by using GPS to navigate your ride. Depending on where you are, this can be done with a vehicle device or with maps on your phone. In most cases, maps on your phone will get you covered in urban and more populated parts of the world.
However, if you plan long road trips away from the urban centers it’s best to get a GPS with your car. It costs a bit more to do so and it usually comes with insurance of its own, but it’s worth it.
