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Driving in Europe
Page 2
Continued from page 1
ABOVE: The economical Peugeot 207 on a
European highway.
Residents of countries outside the U.S. can save money with
short-term tourist leases from Peugeot
and Renault.
Tips on renting a car
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Comparison shop. Check prices at European brokers
that specialize in leisure rentals and short-term leasing programs. (See
page 5.) Check each company's age restrictions
if you're under 25 or over 65, and see "Lease for longer trips" below.
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Plan carefully. Rent a car for only as
long as you'll need it, to avoid early-return penalties. If you're on a
budget, avoid drop-off charges by planning a circular itinerary.
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Book ahead. If you live outside
Europe, you're likely to get a better deal by making arrangements from
abroad.
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Lease for longer trips. A short-term
car
lease can save money on rentals of 21 days or more. Such "buy back" or
"purchase-repurchase" leases are
especially useful for students and senior citizens, since age restrictions
are minimal. For details
and companies that offer leasing programs, see page 5.
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Buy a pass. A Rail 'n Drive Pass
combines the speed and comfort of train travel with the convenience of a
vehicle for local excursions.
(See page 5.)
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Think small. Fuel is expensive in
Europe, streets are narrow in many cities, and small cars are easier to park
than large ones. Unless you need a large car or van, stick with a small to
midsize car.
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Shift for yourself. Cars with
automatic transmissions can be hard to find and expensive to rent in many
countries. They also use more fuel. (Exception: If you're uncomfortable with
the idea of shifting gears with your left hand, a car with automatic
transmission may be worth the extra cost in Britain and Ireland.)
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Important note: If you're picking up a
car outside the European Union, you may encounter
bureaucratic hassles if you later decide to drop the car off in an EU
country. To avoid potential problems, ask for a car that's regisftered in
the EU if you plan to drive there.
Tips on driving in Europe
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Prepare at home. European regulations, driving
customs, and road signs can be confusing to foreigners, so use the
information resources on page 3
and page 4 to learn
the basics ahead of time.
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Be alert. If you're from North
America, forget about turning on the cruise control and floating along in
the left lane while listening to Santana and slurping coffee from your
MegaMug. You could have a panic attack when a BMW comes tearing up behind
you, left flasher blinking, at 250 km/h (156 mph) or faster. And if you've
never had to enter or exit a traffic circle (a.k.a. rotary or roundabout) in
heavy traffic, get ready for a new experience--especially if local laws give
priority to traffic coming from the right.
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Carry an International Driving Permit.
This
passport-like document (sometimes called an International Driver's License)
is a translation of your home license. It's required in some countries and
optional in others, but it's well worth having to avoid problems if you're
stopped by the police in a foreign country. See my
International Driving
Permit article.
Next page:
General driving links
Photo copyright ©
Peugeot.
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From Europe for Cruisers:
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Durant
& Cheryl Imboden's
