As Romania becomes an increasingly popular destination for tourists who want to see the beauty of Transylvania, the wonderful medieval architecture and the many quaint towns and villages, car hire becoming an evermore logical option for travellers. Known as the crossroads of Central Europe, Romania has a long history of seeing travellers pass through its borders and hinterland. If you decide to hire a car however there are certain aspects of driving in Romania that you should be aware of to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable trip.
The first issue to discuss when you are going to hire a car in Romania are the speed limits on the various roads. In the cities there is a general speed limit of 31 mph whilst in rural areas this is increased to 55m mph. In terms of the highways and special roads the limit is around 80 mph. However, these limits are subject to change so it worth keeping your eyes open for road signs. In addition there are variances depending on what type of car you are driving, your car hire company should be able to advise you thoroughly before you head off however.
If you are travelling with your children in the hire car, unlike much of Europe it is not essential to have a child seat for them. Despite this however, child safety is taken seriously, children are not allowed to sit in the front and safety belts must be worn at all times when driving outside of urban areas. If you fail to adhere to these rules there is a chance that local police will issue you with a ticket. It is vital that if a fine issued that you ensue the officer has identification and can provide you with an official ticket; there have been cases in the past of officers and even members of the public charging visitors so be careful to find out exactly who is giving you the fine; officials will not actually ask for the fee there and then, all payments are made at police stations rather than on the roadside.
In Romania the cars drive on the right and you must always give the right of way to those entering roundabouts. If you would like to overtake this is predominantly done on the left except if overtaking a tram (common in built up areas), when you can overtake on the right. Care must be taken whenever driving in Romania, apart from you hire car their will be many diverse forms of transport on the roads, the horse and cart is still used extensively, especially in rural areas. Accidents are common with horse drawn vehicles so having your wits about you at all times is essential.
Drink driving is strictly prohibited in Romania, something that your car hire company should make you acutely aware of. Unlike much of Europe the Romanian officials operate a zero tolerance policy on drink driving and as such even if you only have one drink you will be deemed unsuitable to drive. In addition to this, many will advise that driving at night is worth avoiding. This is mainly due to the large number of horse drawn carts on the roads that do not have lights.
By following this advice your Romanian driving holiday should be a complete success. Ultimately, when you have acquired your hire car it is essential to be careful at all times. Driving in Romania is usually safe but it is not like driving in Western Europe, there are considerable issues you should be constantly aware of. If you drive with a sense of care, your trip around Romania should be both enjoyable and safe.
Cost of course is factor when considering car hire, often however the cheapest price rarely collates to the best deal. Considering what type of car you need and what facilities it should include is vital, for instance if it is going to be hot and humid, a car with air conditioning is essential. Also if you happen to drive an automatic car, there is little point in receiving a manual transmission from the car hire company.
Looking for the best deal must include a multi faceted approach. While the initial outlay may be small and could be considered a bargain; find out about a car hire company's charges for mileage prices and late return fines that may be a factor. If you are stickler for price, it is often worth finding a car hire office away from built up areas and airports as often a surcharge is applicable at busier destinations.
When at the car hire desk, consider who will be using the car besides yourself. What is the reason for your trip, for instance a business trip will require a different car than a family holiday. The amount of luggage as well as the number of people in your party should also be a major consideration.
If travelling with small children, your hire car package should include a booster seat; especially across Europe that now has legislation on this issue with all children under one and a half metres being required to have a child seat by law. Local legal requirements should always be understood fully before embarking on any trip.
When at the car hire desk you will be offered all manner of insurance packages for your journey. These include collision, loss and liability insurance at a premium on top of the price already paid. At this point it is worth checking if your credit card contains any of the coverage as it may be a cost that can be avoided.
When picking up your hire car it is understandable that you just want to pick up the keys and head off, especially after a long flight. There are however certain things that should be checked over before you drive away. Carefully check all around the car for small dents or scratches, if you do find some alert a representative of the car hire company. If you do not, you may find yourself liable on your return.
Ensure you open the trunk and check for a spare tyre, jack and all the other accoutrements that are needed in case of a break down. It can be a nightmare not being able to replace a flat tyre if you need to get where you are going in a hurry. Also ask the car hire company for an extra key, most will supply one and for those of us that are somewhat forgetful, it can be a lifesaver.
Make sure to return the hire car on time, charges for being late can be expensive. Also it is vital to fill the car with fuel before you return it to the company as the charges for fuel once the car has been returned can be extortionate. Here your checks you made before embarkation will stand you in good stead if the company attempt to charge you for any scratches that you did not cause.
If you follow this advice there is no reason that your hire car experience will not be trouble free. Of course there will always be lots of paperwork before you can pick up the keys, but preparation is essential. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation and you should be on your way in no time.
Thomas Pretty has sinced written about articles on various topics from Formula One, Debts Loans and Interior Design. Travel expert Thomas Pretty looks into how travellers can make the most of their experience by giving details of the motoring laws and. Thomas Pretty's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.