Self-Drive Cars have become quite the rage today. It’s a safe, convenient & cost-effective way of traveling and makes for many fun road trips! And with so many self-drive car rentals available at your fingertips, you are spoilt for choice.
With Great Road Trips, Comes Great Responsibility
While a quick ‘self-drive cars near me’ search can get you the car you need in a matter of minutes, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before renting a car. Take a look at these few pointers before confirming a car booking:
1. Rent Car From A Recognized Self Drive Car Service:
Do some research before heading out on the road to ensure that you book a rental car from an authorized service. Go online and check that the car service is legit by checking out their website, reading reviews of previous customers and checking the options available for self-drive cars. And choose a self-drive car service which offers a good service over choosing a ‘cheap and best’ rental car. This can save you a lot of time, money and worry when you’re out on the road.
2. Choose the Right Car:
Choose a rental car based on your choice of road trip; whether you’re planning a weekend getaway to the beach or going off-roading on hilly roads or taking a leisurely intracity trip. The rates vary for different types and models of self-drive cars and it can greatly impact your budget. Thus, diesel cars for long journeys is a sensible choice while a comfy hatchback or even a luxurious sedan can help you out in traffic during intra city travel.
3. Look for ‘Hidden’ or ‘Other’ Costs:
When you make a car booking, there are few things like insurance, security deposit, damages etc. which can raise the basic rent. It is important to read all the terms & conditions, check liabilities in case of an accident and compare rates and tariffs to confirm that you’re being charged the right rental price.
If you’re not careful, you may end up paying a lot more than planned and in case of over-speeding or breaking suddenly (many self-drive cars have smart tech sensors for that now), you can also lose your security deposit.
4. Check For Damages Prior To Booking:
Don’t be in a hurry to drive off into the sunset! Check the self-drive rental car thoroughly for any damages & dents, both from the inside and the outside. Click pictures of the car from various angles on your phone to keep as evidence and if there are any visible damages, make sure the car service notes it down before closing the car booking. Ask details like oil level, mileage, age, availability of roadside assistance etc and check the fuel level before taking over the car. Check the parts like brake, engine, lights and confirm that a spare tyre and stepney jack are there in the car. Take these measures to guarantee that you’re driving in a safe and reliable vehicle.
5. Have All Documents/Papers In Place:
This is a checklist of all the documents you will need before starting your trip:
● A valid Driver’s Licence
● Registration Certificate (RC)
● Tax Receipt
● Fitness Certificate
● Authorization Letter From RTO
● Valid Insurance
● Rent A cab License Copy.
● Aadhar Card/PAN card
● Rental Agreement- Signed and Dated
● Insurance- Third-party (minimum), accident coverage etc.
● Current PUC
Most of these documents (RC, insurance, permits etc.) are provided by the rental service at the time of booking and you only need your Aadhaar Card and valid Driving License to make a booking.
Make sure to read the car rental agreement carefully before signing it and travel with the aforementioned documents at all times. This will ensure accountability from both you and the self-drive car rental service.
The time for a self-drive road trip is here and now. Book a rental self-drive car and get on the road today!
