Tips from Pinellas Park Area Kia for Driving Abroad

Jul 21, 2013

If you are planning a trip abroad and are going to rent a car to drive during the trip, you will want to take some time to learn about driving in another country, insurance and car rental contracts. Things are not always exactly the same in a foreign country as they are at home! Here are some tips from Pinellas Park area Kia for driving abroad:

Check License Requirements

Some countries allow any driver with a US driver’s license to drive in their country while others require an International Driving Permit. You can get an International Driving Permit from the National Auto Club if you are at least 18 years old, but make sure to check legal driving ages in whichever country you visit.

Car Insurance Considerations When Traveling Abroad

You will want to check your insurance policy before you go to make sure it covers international driving. Not all insurance companies will cover drivers in another country. If you rent a car from a car rental organization, you can choose coverage through their insurance, or perhaps the credit card you use to rent the car will include car rental coverage.

If you are traveling between countries, such as when traveling in Europe, make sure whatever you choose for your insurance coverage will cover you as you cross each border into another country.

Preparing for Driving Abroad

Road rules and signs are different in other countries. Many cars in foreign countries have steering wheels on the opposite side of the car, and may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. This can be difficult to remember and can create problems when entering and exiting intersections – be alert!

Another tip for driving in a foreign country is to rent an international GPS unit to help you navigate. You won’t want to use your smartphone’s GPS (if it even works in another country!) because you will pay higher data roaming charges.

Learn How to Drive a Manual Transmission

If you are used to driving an automatic car, you may want to learn how to drive a manual transmission before you travel and drive abroad. Many car rental companies abroad only rent manual transmission vehicles – or if they have automatic transmissions available – they will generally charge extra for them.