(What to look out for? – What to prepare with?)
Summer is here, the good weather has arrived, which means we can start getting ready for our summer getaway. If you have a destination nearby and you are planning a road trip, you need to prepare not only yourself but also your car for the long journey. Here are the most important things to do before you start your trip.
Checking the necessary papers and equipment
Before you go, it's essential to check what documents you need for your trip and how long they are valid for. It is important to have an international insurance card to prove that your car is covered by insurance abroad. You should also check the validity of your car's mehcanical inspection. Especially now, as the moratorium on vehicle inspections introduced during the covid epidemic will end on 1 July, so if your car's MOT has expired in the last two years, make sure you have it renewed. Also it is important to check the validity of the driver(s)' driving licence.
Not only documents, but also various tools and equipment need to be checked before a major trip. The presence of a first aid kit (for which it is also important to check the expiry date) and a hazard warning triangle are mandatory. It is also advisable to have in the car: a reflective visibility vest and a spare wheel or puncture repair kit.
If you are going abroad, you should check the conditions of departure (what documents are required). Also, for cars rented/leased from us, there are some countries where prior authorisation is required for travel. If your destination is Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey or Ukraine, contact our colleagues for more information and the necessary declarations.
Checking the car's condition
It's always a good idea to check the condition of your car before a long journey. It's not enough to have a valid technical inspection, there are elements that you should still check before you travel. Prior to driving hundreds of kilometres, it is worth taking a look at the condition of the tyres, it is also advisable to check the tyre pressure, and as mentioned above, it may be a good idea to get a puncture repair kit to avoid problems. In addition to tyres, if you find stone chips on your car windscreen, it is also worth repairing them, as they can be a potential hazard on a long journey. In addition to the external conditions, it is recommended to check the level of the window washer fluid and top it up if necessary. Also, if you know you'll be driving for several hours in the heat, you may want to test the air conditioning.
Planning the route
Before you start your trip, it's a good idea to check the possible routes, potential road renovations and diversions and plan the most suitable one for you. Once you have an exact plan, it is also useful to find out about the different motorway tolls. Where possible, it's worth buying the necessary toll stickers in advance, so that you don't accidentally drive onto the toll road without paying. Also, when travelling abroad, it is not only worth finding out about motorway tolls ahead of time, but in the current virus situation it is also necessary to check in advance the border crossing and health rules and regulations for the destination country.
+ Tip: When you're travelling long distances by car and trying to be cost-effective, it's worth paying attention to what you pack and how many suitcases you plan to take. Try to select out the unnecessary stuff, as the more luggage you have, the more weight you carry, which can lead to higher consumption.
+ Tip: Long car journey lasting several hours are not the most exciting program, so it's a good idea to prepare in advance with music playlists and podcasts. It may also be useful to pack a separate bag for the trip, with a variety of foods, snacks and, most importantly in summer, plenty to drink.
With the tips mentioned above, we hope to contribute to safer and more pleasant driving. If you want to rent a car from us or you have any questions / comments about our long-term rental cars, please write to our colleagues at flottakezeles@budget.hu.