Gear up to avoid pitfalls of driving on international roads

ARRIVING in a foreign country and discovering that you will be required to navigate narrow, pedestrian-filled roads in a hired car on the wrong side of the road is bad enough without adding the risk of being arrested for driving illegally.

The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has compiled a list of things that everyone driving internationally should be aware of before the trip to ensure their holiday remains stress-free:

 Establish whether an international driving permit (IDP) is required for the particular country you will be visiting.

 The AA is the only place in South Africa where you can be issued an IDP. You can apply at your nearest AA Accredited Sales Agent store – find the list of AA stores at http://www.aa.co.za/contact-us/retail/

 Although IDPs are issued immediately, never leave inquiries until the day before departure in case there are unforeseen issues. For example, if your South African driver's licence has expired.

 It is important to note that an international driving permit is compulsory in most international countries for car hire.

 Before visiting the store, ensure that you have the payment, two ID or passport photographs (which can also be taken in the store), a valid South African driver's licence, as well as a valid South African ID or passport.

 Travel insurance is vital to protect yourself against the risks that accompany all your travels, including lost baggage, medical emergencies, supplier defaults and cancelled trips.

 When selecting travel insurance, there are ranges of cost options available to suit all needs, but make sure you read the fine print as there are often exclusions.

 Renting a car internationally can be fraught with difficultly, particularly with regards to language barriers. As such, it is recommended that the process be done beforehand and online wherever possible.

 Check that the kind of car you wish to hire is suitable for the type of terrain you expect to pass.

 Never sign a contract in a foreign language – always ask for an English copy.

 Always check the type of fuel the car takes; it is easy to assume that most take unleaded, however, a number of international cars use diesel.

 Document all scratches and dents before driving the hired car and ensure these are all photographed.