See
the world in the comfort of your own car.
Advice on hiring, buying, routes to take
etc.
Driving outside your own country can be
a scary and harrowing experience with fast
drivers, narrow lanes, difficult parking,
expensive tolls and different rules or lack
of rules. You need steely nerves, to enjoy
adrenalin rushes and be able to coordinate
driving with one hand on the wheel and the
other on the horn or gesturing rudely at
other drivers.
After you have read the tips below you may
prefer to take the bus! However driving
does give you the freedom to make your own
schedule and to take you off the beaten
track to regions inaccessible by public
transport. And if you are dividing the cost
between a group it may not work out more
expensive. In some parts of the world you
may be able to afford a driver too. Always
consider the places you wish to visit before
you make a decision to hire a car. It can
be more convenient but in large cities parking
can be expensive and difficult to find and
if the public transport is efficient it
may be an easier option.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Each country has different kinds of roads
and each can be maintained differently with
different tolls attached. For example in
Italy there are autostrade (toll highways)
which are well maintained, interregional
highways or superstrade (expressways) which
are equally well-maintained, a raccordo
or ring road around a city, strade statali
(state highways denoted by S or SS numbers)
that may be single-lane roads and secondary
roads which are provincial and generally
single-lane and vary in maintenance. Learn
the road types and which ones have fees
attached.
TOP
RULES AND SPEED
LIMITS
If you get an international license there
is normally a booklet provided with road
rules. You get the same information when
you rent a car. It is worth studying this
before you set out for information about
how to overtake, rules about seatbelts,
using mobile phones while driving, speed
limits and alcohol restrictions. TOP
FUEL
Learn the local word for the fuel/gas/petrol.
In some countries they will check your tyres,
oil and water free of charge (you should
leave a tip and you do pay for top ups of
oil). In developed countries there is usually
an option to pay by an automated machine
if the station is closed.
DRIVING LICENSES
Depending on where you are travelling a
license may not be required to rent a vehicle,
motorbike or scooter. Your wallet size will
be the only restriction on your rights as
a driver. In other parts of the world you
can drive with your home license however
it is recommended that you do apply for
an International Driver’s Permit which
are available at your local motor controlling
body. For example in Australia it is RACQ,
RACV or the equivalent. In America, Canada
and the United Kingdom it is available from
the automobile association. A small fee
is required for the permit. Usually you
are required to be about 21 to rent a car,
in some countries it may be a little older.
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VALUABLES
Generally don't leave valuables inside your
car.
PARKING
Long term parking in large cities can be
expensive. Check if your hotel provides
free or good rate parking. For every day
parking spaces be careful in historic or
city centres which often have restricted
circulation zones and are mostly for residents
(keep an eye out for road signs). It is
best to park in the designated lots, usually
payment is by a time period and you will
receive a time slip on entrance through
an automated machine. Sometimes there is
metered parking where you put coins into
a machine for a stamped ticket to leave
on the dashboard.
TOLLS
A lot of countries require tolls on the
major freeways or motorways. But these can
be avoided through careful study of maps
to identify the kinds of roads. If you do
find yourself at a toll booth a ticket is
usually issued upon entering the motorway
and the toll is paid when you exit. Usually
you can pay in cash or by credit card. If
you are travelling a route regularly find
out if there is a special toll card available
(it may be sold at the toll booth, fuel
stations, some banks or tourist offices).
BUYING A CAR
This can be a good option if you are travelling
longterm and want best use of your money.
If you get a van you can also sleep in it.
For those travelling in Europe most people
will buy their car in the United Kingdom.
Look in Auto Trader, Exchange and Mart and
Loot which advertise second hand vehicles.
On Market Street in London (Caledonian Road
tube) there is an an informal traveller's
van and car market.
TOP
ADVICE ON CAR RENTAL
Usually you must be at least 21 years of
age to rent a car and may be asked to pay
by credit card. Check what the terms are
for hiring. Check for things like the maximum
number of kilometres specified as you pay
so much money per kilometre over. There
are always individual policy differences
about the fuel (i.e you return it full or
empty depending on what you arrange), and
vehicle insurance.
Always do some shopping around to compare
prices.
Backpackglobe.com sells car hire through
Auto
Europe which has worldwide car rental
services. We ask that you consider purchasing
your car hire through them as this revenue
goes back into improving this site.
Auto Europe also have scheduled air from
the USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four
star hotels, prestige and sports car rentals,
hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer
services, European and South Pacific Motorhome
Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.
Alamo (tel. 800/522-9696; 0181/759-6200
in the U.K.). Avis
(tel. 800/331-1084; 800/879-2847 in Canada;
02/9353-9000 in Australia; 09/525-1982 in
New Zealand).
Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; 0144/227-6266
in the U.K.).
Dollar (tel. 800/800-6000; 0181/897-0811
in the U.K., where it is known as Eurodollar;
02/9223-1444 in Australia). Hertz
(tel. 800/654-3001; 800/263-0600 in Canada;
0181/897-2072 in the U.K.; 02/9669-2444
in Australia; 03/358-6777 in New Zealand).
National (tel. 800/227-3876; 0345/222-525
in the U.K.).
Auto Clubs
Australian Automobile Association (tel.
02/6247-7311).
Canadian Automobile Association (CAA, tel.
613/247-0117).
New Zealand Automobile Association (tel.
09/377-4660).
Automobile Association (AA, tel. 0990/500-600).
Royal Automobile Club (RAC, tel. 0990/722-722
for membership; 0345/121-345 for insurance).
American Automobile Association (tel. 800/564-6222).
Emergency Services
When you rent your car they will provide
you with phone numbers for road side service.
Check your policy to see what cover you
get (i.e is accommodation included if you
have car difficulties etc). Check also to
see if the country has a 24-road service
available.
For example in Italy if you Dial 116 from
any phone, 24 hours a day, you can reach
an ACI dispatch operator.
