Traveling abroad is full of logistical hurdles and decisions. Where to stay, what to see, even trying to sort through the local restaurants and decide where to eat dinner. One of the biggest decisions when starting to plan a trip is to figure out your best mode of transportation in country.
Booking drivers can be great, but they can also influence the timelines of getting to places or take away your ability to be in the moment with decisions to stop. Public transit is a great option and easy in most countries but can add time to trips as you may have to connect several service lines to get to your destination. Group travel or tours can be a great way to learn about where you are visiting with a guide but may stick you on a set timeline with a carload of strangers for the day.
Personally, we do a mix of all of it when traveling but have found that when we can, we enjoy renting a car and self driving. We have found that it adds a level of freedom to explore on a whim or change plans if something we cannot miss is suggested. There is no set itinerary from the tour operator or any need to decide earlier in the day if we want to go out to dinner with our driver. We have also found that it often leads to chance encounters with locals whether we are looking for a snack or a restroom that would not often exist if on a tour or with a hired driver who often have specific stops and known gas stations, restaurants etc. they will stop at and recommend. When we are driving we figure it out on the fly. Sometimes we find a hidden gem, others we grow a bit through the added stress of things not being quite as smooth as we had hoped.
When deciding whether to self drive, some basic research about the country is in order. What side of the road do they drive on, what is the general level of road conditions and maintenance, is it recommended for foreigners to drive there? There are many countries in which it may not be a good idea due to the chaos and high levels of traffic that is so foreign to those of us in American and Europe. In most countries self driving is just fine to do but will undoubtedly still be an adjustment for most drivers.
First thing to consider is that for a vast majority of the world they drive on the left side of the road. The car configuration is also oriented with the driver generally sitting on the right side of the car. It may feel a bit unnatural and you will have to fight your habit, especially when turning, to swing to the wrong side of the road.
The second challenge is that in most countries manual stick shift cars are the standard. Even when automatic cars are booked and confirmed on the rental agreement we have been given a manual car with no option for an automatic. I would highly recommend anyone who wants and plans to drive abroad to learn to drive a manual. Ask a friend or family member who has one to teach you or look into local driving school as many of them will offer the ability to learn. If you are unable to drive a manual car at all I would be hesitant to self drive in non first world countries unless you can verify with absolute certainty that you will be in an automatic car. Keep in mind that most of the time it is quite a bit cheaper to rent a manual car to save some money on your trip.
The next thing to keep in mind is that depending on where you are going there may be certain requirements. A lot of countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP) which is translated into other languages so that it can be interpreted while traveling. These are generally easy to obtain through both online services as well as through AAA in the US.
In certain cases there may be additional requirements, as on our last trip to Sri Lanka we were required to obtain a government validated IDP. It had to be obtained by going to the DMV in Colombo with your rental agreement and drivers license. They require this at the rental companies before they will allow you to take the car off the rental lot.
We did however find that Sixt Colombo Airport will assist in this process and you can email them a copy of your license, money and passport and they will obtain it on your behalf before you arrive. This saves you the hassle of having to make time to go and do it yourself. Sixt was the only car rental company that we found that offered this service.
Car insurance will be the other thing that may have to be done. Some places will allow you to use your personal insurance, however, make sure that your policy covers you both internationally as well as covering hired/rented autos. Many policies do not cover these and you do not want to find out after an accident that you are not covered by your policy and will be stuck with the damages out of pocket. Most companies require you to have an IDP as well in order to have coverage abroad.
Some rental car companies and countries will require that you purchase their insurance for you rental with no choice to use your own regardless of your coverages. A great thing to keep in mind is that many travel credit cards do offer coverage for the car itself if the rental is booked on it. This generally only covers the rental car and not liability in an accident. This means if you back into a pole or curb check a tire, the damage can be covered, however, if you rear end another car, the card will not cover the accident.
Make sure you check and know what your specific coverages are and how you use them if needed. Once you figure out all the specifics and pick up your car you are all set to go. Keep in mind that many other countries do still have similar speed limit enforcement to the US. I would be lying if I said we have not been pulled over more than once abroad and had to deal with police or tickets. In these situations remember you are the visitor! Being polite and receptive to the officers and their questions is essential.
In many of these countries you do not have many rights as a tourist and really are there on their allowance. It is not the time to pull the American card as you often see travelers do in situations or to believe that you will be afforded any special treatment as a foreigner. Looking up the country’s signs and regulations is a great idea before arriving as many of them may be different and unfamiliar as a visitor. Also, keep in mind that oversees most places you are unable to pump your own gas. Stations will have attendants who will pump your gas for you, be sure to tell them if you want it
filled or if you would a specific amount of gas put in. It is customary to give a small tip to the attendant as a thank you.
Pro Tip: All cars will tell you on your dash what side of the car your gas tank fill is on. If
you look at your gas gauge there is a small triangle symbol next to the gas symbol. The side point of the triangle will point to the side of the care the tank is on. No need to get out and look for it.
Don’t be afraid to get out and drive when traveling, but be prepared. Unlike traveling in the US, showing up at the airport and just grabbing a rental car is not also so simple and may not be an option without some prior planning, whether you are self driving or not. If your up for the adventure, self driving can add a lot of freedom to your travels. It lets you be more spontaneous and also can add some growth challenges dealing with poor map directions or bad cell service. It can be more daunting but is fully worth the experience! Get out there and enjoy the world.
MC Exploring 