Driving overseas: What you need to know

Driving on home-soil can be stressful enough, let alone in alien surroundings. Manoeuvring on the wrong side of the road, reading foreign street signs, and steering through rough terrains can throw any traveller for a loop. Let’s face it, any new destination can be tough to navigate when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings but that shouldn’t stop you from hiring a car and seeing the sites. We’re here to clear the confusion when it comes to planning and organising your overseas road trip adventure. Keep reading for Baaaney’s top tips for driving overseas. Maaavelous!

Book ahead

Always book hire cars as soon as possible to get the best deals. When traveling overseas many airports have limited selections of hire car companies and cars. Booking ahead guarantees you find a car that suits your needs, that’s ready upon arrival saving you a lot of time, and money! 

Permits and licences

The first thing you should do is check what driving permits are needed at your chosen destination. Your Australian license will be valid overseas, but in many countries you will need an international driver’s license too. It’s a good idea to check with the relevant road association to find out about foreign license requirements way in advance of your trip.

Be prepared

Suppose you’re hiring a car for a road trip in the US. All you need to do is Google ‘driving in the US’, and you’ll find plenty of information on the rules of the road – like turning right on red lights, priority at four-way intersections where there are no traffic lights, car-pool lanes and much more. A bit of research can significantly reduce the stress of driving in a foreign country.

Tips for hire cars

Hire cars are treated pretty badly on the whole. They do lots of miles and get bumps, dinks and scrapes because people aren’t familiar with them (or just don’t care because it’s not their vehicle). So make sure you check your hire car thoroughly and agree on any current damages in writing before you set off. This way, you won’t get the blame – or the bill – when you return it!

Getting around

Navigating in foreign countries can be pretty stressful to say the least. Consider renting a GPS from your car rental company which will talk to you in the language you choose to select. Purchasing a road map as a backup can be essential for driving in areas with no GPS signal too.

Be attentive

On your first few days of driving abroad take things easy and use a high level of caution. This will allow you to observe the road rules and customs in that country and give you time to adjust and master the new roads.

Enjoy it

It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of busy cities or fast-flowing traffic and end up in a right state, miles from where you intended to be. Our advice is don’t panic, find somewhere safe to stop and compose yourself before setting off again. Remember as well the importance of taking regular breaks to re-fuel and rest whether you're driving at home or overseas. You’d be wooly mad not too!

Buy Car Hire Excess

Don’t forget, the excess reduction waiver upsold with your hire car can be a right rip-off.  Don’t get fleeced, get peace of mind with a cheap car hire excess quote from Baaaney today! 

Ready, set, drive!

Despite the occasional stressful moment, driving abroad is a great way to set the pace of your adventures and be flexible with your itinerary, so lucky ewe! And with the peace of mind that your car hire excess insurance has you covered for driving overseas, you’ll be fine and daaandy!