When you’re renting a car while traveling to another country, it’s super important to do it safely. This will help make your trip smooth and secure. Here are some easy tips to follow:

1. Check the Rental Company

• Reputation: Look up reviews on sites like Trustpilot or Google Reviews. This will help you find out if the company is reliable.
• Insurance Options: Make sure you know what insurance is included with your rental. Think about getting extra insurance, since many claims can get denied if you don’t have the right protection.

2. Learn Local Driving Rules

• Speed Limits: Find out what the speed limits are. They can be different in each country. For example, in the UK, the speed limit on country roads is usually 60 mph (97 km/h).
• Checkpoints: Some countries have random checkpoints. Knowing this can help you avoid getting fines.

3. Inspect the Car Carefully

• Pre-Rental Check: Before you drive away, look for any damage, check the tires, and make sure all the lights work. About 30% of rental customers notice damage after getting the car.
• Take Photos: Snap pictures of any existing damage to protect yourself.

4. Get GPS and Emergency Contact Info

• Navigation: Using GPS can help reduce accidents by 11%. This makes it easier to get around new places.
• Emergency Numbers: Know the local emergency numbers (like 112 in Europe). This is super important because help can take a while to arrive, often around 40 minutes.

5. Don’t Get Distracted While Driving

• Distractions: Texting while driving is really dangerous. It can make an accident happen 23 times more likely. Try to use your phone as little as possible while driving.

By following these safety tips, you can lower the risks that come with renting a car abroad. This will help you have a more enjoyable adventure!