Things to Keep in Mind Before Going for an Overseas Road Trip

Although you would want to go on an overseas road trip as soon as your heart desires, it is not practically possible for everyone to do so. Going on a vacation abroad, especially a road trip, may require lots of money. You may have to plan every slightest detail of your trip in advance so that your trip remains hassle-free. That is important because any adversity during your trip may lead to financial losses that too in a foreign currency. The only thing you can do is to insure your trip under an international travel insurance policy.

However, there are other precautions that you must take before embarking on your road trip abroad. Read on to know about the things that you must ensure before going on an overseas road trip.

Things to Keep in Mind to Avoid Hassles During Your Overseas Road Trip

A road trip in India can bring a lot of uncertainties, let alone in a foreign country. No amount of advance planning can keep you fully protected against unforeseen emergencies that may crop up during your trip. But there are still ways to avoid any major financial losses resulting from such emergencies. Take a look at some of the things that you must keep in mind before hitting the road in a foreign country:

Get Familiar with Your Trip Route

The first thing to do is to familiarize yourself with the route of your travel. Check the map before hitting the road and go over the route before starting your journey. You must make a note of the fuel stations and food outlets in your route where you can make a pit stop. This will eliminate any element of surprise and you will be aware of when you should eat or fill your vehicle’s fuel time.

If you plan to stop for sightseeing during your journey, make sure to check the timings of the place in advance so that you can plan your travel accordingly.

Crosscheck the Validity of Your Driving License

If you are planning to go on an overseas road trip, either you or your fellow traveller buddies will take the wheel. In that case, it is essential to check the validity of your driving license in the country where you are planning to go on a road trip. The driving license issued by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of your city may not be accepted in every country. You need to cross-check if the country where you are travelling allows Indian tourists to drive with an Indian driving license. If not, then you will have to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in a foreign country. You can apply for the IDP by contacting your nearest RTO.

Know the Traffic/ Motor Rules & Regulations for the Foreign Country

Not every country follows the same motor laws as India. The motor laws or traffic rules may vary from one country to another and hence, it is important to know about such rules and regulations beforehand. For instance, you must check if the country where you plan to undertake a road trip follows a right-hand drive or left-hand drive like India. You must check the rules regarding honking, space between two cars, traffic lights or pedestrian crossing before getting behind the wheel to avoid getting a  challan/ticket.

Book Your Accommodations in Advance

When you are out on a road trip, you might be planning to cover multiple cities and towns during your trip. Doing so could take more than a day even if you drive non-stop. Besides, it is not practically possible to drive without making a stop for food, leisure and rest. Finding accommodation on the spot can be difficult and sometimes, you may not find one at all. Hence, you must plan your overnight stops beforehand and book your accommodations before commencing the trip.

Cover Your Trip Under International Travel Insurance

Even the most well-planned trips can fall apart if an unforeseen incident occurs during the trip. Imagine if your car is stolen or meets with an accident. Not only will it spoil your trip but will also lead to major monetary losses. You may lose the security deposit you paid to the car rental company or may get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Handling such adversities in a foreign country can be stressful and hence, it is wise to cover your journey under a trip insurance policy. Your international travel insurance will pay for any losses incurred during your trip due to unforeseen adversities, such as natural calamities, theft, accidents, etc. You will be fully capable to tackle such situations and will prevent you from incurring a major financial loss.

The best part about trip insurance is that the coverage can be customized as per your travel needs. You can buy the trip insurance as per the country you are travelling to and pick coverage for the adversities that you are more likely to face during your road trip. Besides, trip insurance is compulsory in the Schengen states, Dubai, etc.

Keep an Alternate Plan Ready

You can never rule out the possibility of something going wrong during your trip even if you plan it carefully. Emergencies can destroy even the best-laid plans and cause financial distress. You may have to stay the night at a place where you did not intend to or may have to cut short your trip due to a family emergency. Hence, you must keep an alternate plan ready in case your road trip falls apart. You must have a plan ready to tackle such situations. Moreover, don’t forget to carry enough cash to handle such emergencies situations.

Summing It Up

Going on a road trip in a foreign country is exciting and yet full of uncertainties. You cannot predict if something will go wrong during your trip or not. The only way thing you can do is to stay prepared to tackle any adversities during your journey with the help of a trip insurance policy. Moreover, you should also keep the above-mentioned things in mind before hitting the road.