Essential Road Safety Tips for Driving a Rental Car

When you’re used to your car, the roads in your town and the laws in your area, it can be hard to feel comfortable behind the wheel of a rental car. Whether you’re driving for the majority of your trip or just need to get to and from the airport, here are some tips to help you get familiar with your destination, local laws and the rental vehicle itself before hitting the road.

Take the time to get to know the vehicle before leaving the parking lot. You should check the pressure on every tire, make sure all the lights on the car are working and check the gas gauge, fluid levels and milage since the car is your responsibility once you leave the lot. For international drivers, you should check if the vehicle’s speedometer reads miles per hour (MPH) or kilometers per hour (KPH) as it varies from country to country. Vehicles with digital speedometers may allow you to adjust the reading from KPH to MPH, just be sure to read the car manual. Speaking of the manual, read it thoroughly before taking off to know what to expect from safety features like anti-lock brakes, blind spot detection, brake assist and a driver attention monitor.

Driving laws will depend on the location you plan to visit. Knowing them ahead of time can save you a headache on your trip. You can visit the embassy website for your destination to learn about car rental laws, speed limits, road signs, intersections and alcohol limits. It’s also a good idea to visit blogs and forums to see what other travelers say about local drivers and driving etiquette, like when to pass or move over, what lanes to use and where to park.

Do your best to avoid getting lost by downloading a map of the areas you plan to visit in case you lose service. You can use a traditional GPS instead of your phone since a traditional GPS will have stronger and more frequent connections, which is more convenient in remote areas. As a backup, take traditional tools like a map and compass – just make sure to practice reading them ahead of time!

Many accidents that occur while driving are preventable to an extent, which makes defensive driving an essential skill to have on your trip. You can practice defensive driving before your trip if you limit distractions, follow the three-second rule to set a safe distance from other drivers and lower your speed.

Make a list of items to keep in your rental car to prepare for different emergency situations like severe weather, a dead car battery or running out of gas. The car rental company may have essential items you can borrow like:

• Shovel and snow brush
• Road salt
• Jumper cables or a portable jump charger
• Anti-freeze
• A five-gallon gas container

You can also pack personal emergency items like a portable phone charger or first aid kit in your carry-on luggage. Finally, consider getting a rental vehicle travel insurance plan to provide coverage for certain damages that occur to your rental vehicle. 

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