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Guide: Make Your Rental Car Ride Safer!
Based on personal experience of the Author, this thread is created to help both Indian and International Consumers. You are invited to share your own experience ….
The concept of renting cars for road trips is slowly picking up momentum in India.
If you have made up your mind to rent a car for the next vacation, or when It becomes necessary to proceed as planned in case of break down of our own vehicle unexpectedly just before the tour, then this thread is just for you.![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
Explore:
What type of driving licence you posses? Indian with Indian DL or a Foreigner with International DL?
To drive in India, you must either be a legal resident with an Indian driver’s license or have an International Driving Permit, preferably in English. Ensure the driver’s driving license is in force, not expired.
Whether you are aware of India Motor Vehicle Act / Laws?
Renting a car or providing a car that is registered for private uses is not allowed in India as per the Motor Vehicles Act section 76. The cars on rent – any form should be commercially registered.
The driver should be at least 18 years old (in some states, the minimum age limit is 20 years) , should have completed 8th standard & must be conversant with traffic regulations and rules.
Whether you know the Indian road conditions?
Foreign Drivers to remember: Driving in India is an art. You’ll drive on the left, Traffic is notorious, few drivers stick to the rules of the road and parking can be extremely difficult, mostly you will feel no 'one way' & experience off road adventures in interior areas. The interior city roads are shared / occupied by pedestrians, animals, cyclist, three wheelers, heavy vehicles, buses, bullock carts, two wheelers apart from you & four wheelers.![[lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif "Laugh [lol]")
Don’t depend on ‘Google Map’ fully as the scenes are always changing in Indian Roads due to infra structure improvements. Discuss alternate routes before the journey.
Foreigners better consider keeping an Indian friend as co passenger (preferably one who knows the local language and also knows driving as well.)
Are you going to self-drive or renting a car with a driver?
If you are skillful, comfortable & enjoy driving, it will be a better experience driving yourself. But, It has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages: You get an extra seat, it gives privacy, self-drive works out cheaper than regular cab rental- particularly for long drives & Intercity highways are pretty good-one can enjoy driving.
Automatic cars are also available, if you're not comfortable with Manual transmission.
Risk associated with cab drivers like overstressed, rash and negligent attitudes could be avoided. Disadvantage: Any unexpected incident viz., breakdown or accident can ruin all the fun.
If you prefer to hire a driver, you can be relaxed but expensive as you need to take care of him towards food, accommodation, daily Bata/Tips. While your driver will be happy to get you to each destination and answer general questions, but we can't expect him as a personal tour guide.
If we hire a car with driver, If anything goes wrong we’ll not be responsible viz., vehicle break down, flat tyre, accidents, road blocks etc., In a chauffeur driven rental, we can enjoy the ride while the driver will be responsible for both driving and overall taking care of the vehicle. If the vehicle breaks down, we can leave the driver and his vehicle and continue journey in another vehicle.
NOTE: If you need to rent a vehicle for months, better to buy a second hand car, use it for few months and sell it off . It will work out cheaper.![[cheers]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
How to ensure you get a Hassle free, Right Rental Car?
CHECK THE CAR:
1.Choose a right @ reputed rental company. Personal, reliable experience of others and online genuine feedback of consumers will give an idea about the company and car used as well.
2. Choose a familiar car that you are well-versed and comfortable. Understand the age / mileage run. Avoid a brand new vehicle if you need to climb steep hill areas. Insist on a relatively new vehicle which is less than 2-3 years old and that vehicle should have relatively newer tyres.
3. Inspect the car in person while receiving it and document it. Especially about the fuel level, worn out seats and dents /damages if found.
4. Just make a test run to know wheel alignment stability, odd sounds, brake conditions, state of AC, head lights and indicators, head unit, keyless fob battery condition.
5. Check tyre conditions, vehicle documents, spare tyre and tools and puncture kit.
6. Interiors must at least be clean and odorless. Poorly maintained cabin filters will make the journey unpleasant.
7. Take a vehicle with high ground clearance. Most of the Indian roads will be in bad condition and may have unscientifically designed road humps.
8. Note, Rental companies have their own norms of consumer age for renting out, maximum running cap say 300 kms per day.
9. Have a thorough look at your rental car insurance policies. Only Comprehensive Insurance Policy (OD &TP) is provided against theft, accidents and major damages. However, renter will have to compensate the car company in case of minor damages (dents, scratches etc.) which can’t be claimed under insurance.
10. Book early — especially avoid peak travel season save money. Always make sure that you book your rental in advance to avoid any last moment surcharge.
CHECK THE TERMS & CONDITIONS:
TAKE EXTRA CARE NEEDED:
Is there any one-way outstation taxi as you need to get only dropped?
Yes. The perfect way to get through your destination by paying only one way fare. Why should we pay for ' to and fro' when we need to get dropped at outstation. DROP TAXI facilities are available now a days at reasonable fare/cost, anywhere within the state. Check online.
Whom to contact if your grievance unresolved?
Though we can file a case in a consumer court anywhere in India, let it be a last resort.
The simplest way to approach by sitting at home and providing evidence for our genuine grievance is by approaching the ONLINE CONSUMER REDRESSAL FORUMS of Government of India and NGOs who help us to get it resolved. LINK HERE:
NATIONAL CONSUMER HELPLINE
ONLINE LEGAL INDIA
Enjoy your Day.![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
READ MORE:
MY THREAD: ABOUT ROAD TRIP PREPARATION:
MY THREAD: ABOUT INDIA MOTOR INSURANCE COVERAGES:
.
Based on personal experience of the Author, this thread is created to help both Indian and International Consumers. You are invited to share your own experience ….
The concept of renting cars for road trips is slowly picking up momentum in India.
If you have made up your mind to rent a car for the next vacation, or when It becomes necessary to proceed as planned in case of break down of our own vehicle unexpectedly just before the tour, then this thread is just for you.
Explore:
- What type of driving licence you posses? Indian with Indian DL or a Foreigner with International DL?
- Whether you are aware of India Motor vehicle Act / Laws?
- Whether you know the Indian road conditions?
- Are you going to self-drive or renting a car with a driver?
- How to ensure you get a hassle free, right rental car?
- Is there any one-way outstation taxi as you need to get only dropped?
- Whom to contact if your grievance unresolved?
What type of driving licence you posses? Indian with Indian DL or a Foreigner with International DL?
To drive in India, you must either be a legal resident with an Indian driver’s license or have an International Driving Permit, preferably in English. Ensure the driver’s driving license is in force, not expired.
Whether you are aware of India Motor Vehicle Act / Laws?
Renting a car or providing a car that is registered for private uses is not allowed in India as per the Motor Vehicles Act section 76. The cars on rent – any form should be commercially registered.
The driver should be at least 18 years old (in some states, the minimum age limit is 20 years) , should have completed 8th standard & must be conversant with traffic regulations and rules.
Whether you know the Indian road conditions?
Foreign Drivers to remember: Driving in India is an art. You’ll drive on the left, Traffic is notorious, few drivers stick to the rules of the road and parking can be extremely difficult, mostly you will feel no 'one way' & experience off road adventures in interior areas. The interior city roads are shared / occupied by pedestrians, animals, cyclist, three wheelers, heavy vehicles, buses, bullock carts, two wheelers apart from you & four wheelers.
Don’t depend on ‘Google Map’ fully as the scenes are always changing in Indian Roads due to infra structure improvements. Discuss alternate routes before the journey.
Foreigners better consider keeping an Indian friend as co passenger (preferably one who knows the local language and also knows driving as well.)
Are you going to self-drive or renting a car with a driver?
If you are skillful, comfortable & enjoy driving, it will be a better experience driving yourself. But, It has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages: You get an extra seat, it gives privacy, self-drive works out cheaper than regular cab rental- particularly for long drives & Intercity highways are pretty good-one can enjoy driving.
Automatic cars are also available, if you're not comfortable with Manual transmission.
Risk associated with cab drivers like overstressed, rash and negligent attitudes could be avoided. Disadvantage: Any unexpected incident viz., breakdown or accident can ruin all the fun.
If you prefer to hire a driver, you can be relaxed but expensive as you need to take care of him towards food, accommodation, daily Bata/Tips. While your driver will be happy to get you to each destination and answer general questions, but we can't expect him as a personal tour guide.
If we hire a car with driver, If anything goes wrong we’ll not be responsible viz., vehicle break down, flat tyre, accidents, road blocks etc., In a chauffeur driven rental, we can enjoy the ride while the driver will be responsible for both driving and overall taking care of the vehicle. If the vehicle breaks down, we can leave the driver and his vehicle and continue journey in another vehicle.
NOTE: If you need to rent a vehicle for months, better to buy a second hand car, use it for few months and sell it off . It will work out cheaper.
How to ensure you get a Hassle free, Right Rental Car?
CHECK THE CAR:
1.Choose a right @ reputed rental company. Personal, reliable experience of others and online genuine feedback of consumers will give an idea about the company and car used as well.
2. Choose a familiar car that you are well-versed and comfortable. Understand the age / mileage run. Avoid a brand new vehicle if you need to climb steep hill areas. Insist on a relatively new vehicle which is less than 2-3 years old and that vehicle should have relatively newer tyres.
3. Inspect the car in person while receiving it and document it. Especially about the fuel level, worn out seats and dents /damages if found.
4. Just make a test run to know wheel alignment stability, odd sounds, brake conditions, state of AC, head lights and indicators, head unit, keyless fob battery condition.
5. Check tyre conditions, vehicle documents, spare tyre and tools and puncture kit.
6. Interiors must at least be clean and odorless. Poorly maintained cabin filters will make the journey unpleasant.
7. Take a vehicle with high ground clearance. Most of the Indian roads will be in bad condition and may have unscientifically designed road humps.
8. Note, Rental companies have their own norms of consumer age for renting out, maximum running cap say 300 kms per day.
9. Have a thorough look at your rental car insurance policies. Only Comprehensive Insurance Policy (OD &TP) is provided against theft, accidents and major damages. However, renter will have to compensate the car company in case of minor damages (dents, scratches etc.) which can’t be claimed under insurance.
10. Book early — especially avoid peak travel season save money. Always make sure that you book your rental in advance to avoid any last moment surcharge.
CHECK THE TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- Understand how the rental company will deal with any unexpected mechanical breakdown, say in case of starting problem, worn out clutch plate or poor braking on the way. Whether road assistance available or reimbursement of repair expenses guaranteed.
- Check Fuel options - whether the prices always include the fuel and, if we are refueling during the trip can get reimbursed on submission of receipt by maintaining the same Fuel level before returning the car.
- Without fuel option is cheaper per km, but still comes with same usage limit and excess km.
- Avoid Rental companies demanding hefty deposit, as in the event of any damage, the deposit will be forfeited.
- Be punctual while returning the car, will help you save some extra charges against delay.
- Beware of the cancellation fees if pre-paying - Understand how much you need to lose in case of cancellations.
TAKE EXTRA CARE NEEDED:
- Always keep a tyre puncture kit and portable inflator if not provided.
- Treat a rental vehicle as your own, do not litter and damage both interiors and exteriors.
- Foreigners better prefer to pay in the local currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees.
- Bring your own child car seat if required.
- In India we cannot transfer our own car's insurance policy to a rental car. Though the comprehensive insurance policy of the rental car will take care of major accidents, it is better to check with local insurance companies for our personal liability towards rental cars on short period basis to avoid any unexpected personal loss.
Is there any one-way outstation taxi as you need to get only dropped?
Yes. The perfect way to get through your destination by paying only one way fare. Why should we pay for ' to and fro' when we need to get dropped at outstation. DROP TAXI facilities are available now a days at reasonable fare/cost, anywhere within the state. Check online.
Whom to contact if your grievance unresolved?
Though we can file a case in a consumer court anywhere in India, let it be a last resort.
The simplest way to approach by sitting at home and providing evidence for our genuine grievance is by approaching the ONLINE CONSUMER REDRESSAL FORUMS of Government of India and NGOs who help us to get it resolved. LINK HERE:
NATIONAL CONSUMER HELPLINE
ONLINE LEGAL INDIA
Enjoy your Day.
READ MORE:
MY THREAD: ABOUT ROAD TRIP PREPARATION:
MY THREAD: ABOUT INDIA MOTOR INSURANCE COVERAGES:
.
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