Using a Vehicle Abroad
Many people who are enjoying a week in the sun at a resort in Europe are often tempted to hire a car or motorbike whilst they are over there so they can navigate themselves around the local area and discover new places. In most tourist resorts there are usually companies advertising a hire car service or alternatively many resorts offer the facility to hire motorbike or quad bikes. Many of these companies offer a daily or weekly rate meaning you can decide how long you wish to have use of the vehicle for. Before using any of these companies there are several things you should consider. Firstly, does the company have sufficient insurance to cover you should you have an accident? Most of these companies will have a multi car or multi bike insurance policy that cover will cover their range of vehicles and anyone who wishes to hire it; it is very important that you check they do have this, as if you are not covered and an accident happens then the responsibility will fall to you to meet any costs. You would also be liable for any costs relating to personal injury that you may cause another person in an accident.
Some people are very cautious about using hire companies as they may be worried that they will not be adequately covered or that the vehicles may be unsafe. If this is a concern to you then you are advised to use one of the larger rental firms that are part of a recognised chain as they are guaranteed to have valid multi bike insurance. These companies may be able to give you peace of mind as they are heavily regulated.
One of the biggest differences between driving in the UK and driving abroad is that most other European countries drive on the other side of the road from us. This can be very confusing when you initially arrive in that country, especially when using roundabouts. The best advice is to take your time with the vehicle to make sure you are comfortable with where all the controls are located and feel relaxed. You may like to spend some time sitting in the vehicle first so you can familiarise yourself with the dashboard and gain some confidence. When you begin your journey make sure that you follow the speed limit for all roads strictly; accidents are often caused by undue care and attention so be extra vigilant whilst you are travelling and take special care to be aware of other vehicles on the road. If you find you are tired during your journey then you are advised to get some rest before continuing on to your destination.