Dual Carriageway Dirt Track at San Juan, Lanzarote
With Winter temperatures plummeting below zero, there’s never been a better time for some winter sun, Suzanne Keane offers some advice on car hire and driving abroad.
With the dreary weather and the dark evenings worsening it’s a good time of year to be planning a holiday but it’s not all about the sun and sand – The best way to really experience a foreign country is to get out and about with a rental car and a map to discover some of the hidden treasures that are off the beaten path but apparently 15% of motorists and 25% of women would be too nervous to try driving abroad.
Practise makes perfect – If you can drive in Ireland you can drive anywhere! Rules of the road can vary but with a little research before you leave home you can be well prepared.
Renting a Car –
- How much fuel is in the car when you get the keys?
- Is it Diesel or Petrol?
- Have a thorough look around the outside and inside of the car, take photos of any damage.
- Do you know where you have to bring the car back to? Where to leave the keys? What to do if you break down?
- If you’re nervous about changing gears with your right hand, get an automatic.
- Before you leave the airport make sure you know what road signs you need to look out for and have your route worked out.
Driving on the right –
- If it’s your first time, do a practise run around the car park
- When pulling out at junctions always remind yourself which side you need to be on
- Roundabouts always catch me out – remember to look left rather than right for oncoming traffic
- Do NOT overtake until you’re 100% comfortable with your driving
View from “Lagomar”, Nazaret, Lanzarote
Suzanne Keane
10th December,2012
