Tips for Driving Overseas

Some travelers prefer the autonomy of driving overseas. But, it can also be quite stressful getting behind the wheel in a foreign country. Follow these tips to ensure a smooth ride.

Get a Car You’re Used To

If you drive a compact back home, don’t splurge on the giant SUV. Renting a car you’re familiar with will reduce the number of variables that can lead to an accident. Even if you drive a stick, consider the automatic so you can pay attention to the roads.

Learn the Left Lane

Many aspects of driving become instinctual, until everything is flipped in a country where they drive on the left side of the road. If you’re visiting such a place, you’ll have to reorient yourself to know where to look for lights, signs and pedestrians.

Learn the Rules of the Road Beforehand

This goes beyond just sticking to the left lane. Horns, signals and signs change even from city to city. Learn the local driving customs to prevent any confusion and risk of accident. Planning ahead also means getting your documents in order and making sure you’re covered by your travel insurance policy (or credit card benefit).

Utilize Both GPS and Paper Maps

More and more corners of the world are getting documented on GPS software, making them more accessible than before. That said, even GPS directions back home can get confusing. Having paper maps can be useful on a stressful drive, plus they don’t run out of battery like your smartphone.

Practice Defensive Driving

This means staying in the slow lane and not rushing to keep up with your itinerary. You might piss off some of the locals, but it’s better than taking a trip to the emergency room.

Don’t Bother

Some countries like India and Thailand are just too crazy for foreigners to drive. The customs and traffic patterns are too complex for a visitor to understand in one day, plus public transportation in countries like these tends to be cheap.