Hiring a car?

Do you have a hire car horror story? For those of us who are planning to drive abroad this year, it’s worth spending a few minutes planning to avoid the most obvious pitfalls.

Standards of road safety in some European countries make the UK look like a relatively safe haven – and that is partially down to the maintenance and condition of the cars on the road.

If you hire a car on holiday, make sure you inspect for damage before you sign for it. Are the tyres OK? Does it have adequate oil and water? Likewise at the end of the hire period, make sure the hire car company checks and signs it “clear” for you. Spend a minute or so familiarising yourself with the layout: it’s a strange car and everything is the wrong way around for starters.

Make sure you are comfortable with the brakes and steering: don’t feel pressured to throw the case in the boot and be on the road in 30 seconds.

Find the knobs and buttons and make sure they are working. And pop the boot to check that the spare wheel is where it should be. Find out what to do if you break down, get a puncture or discover a fault while driving. Is there an emergency breakdown service you can call, provided with the car?

Before you set off, remember to check the rules about returning it with a full or empty fuel tank. And – yes, it happens on holiday too – make sure you know if the car is petrol or diesel to avoid refueling problems.

Road safety experts at the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) have described air conditioning in warm climates as more than a luxury – it’s a safety feature if you are driving on holiday.

And is the car the right size for you and your family? And your family’s luggage?
If you are planning to do any long journeys, make sure that you have booked a car with room for everyone without them being cramped. It helps reduce tension and stress for everyone, which in turn makes for a safer journey.

Finally, before you set off, check what items are needed in the country you are going to.