Hiring a car in Rwanda can surely be a lifesaver adding suitability, safety, and reliance to the traveler’s expedition. There are identifications a traveler must have or consider to have a marked self-drive car rental Rwanda experience. Below is the checklist that has to be at hand while finalizing self-drive car rental in Rwanda.
- Identifying the documents: when the traveler is hiring a car in Rwanda, he/she is requested to identify him/herself to easily keep track of him/ her in case of any problem. The hirer can present a national identification card or a passport both the original and the photocopy. This should be valid for about 6 months. So before getting to the car hire offices, ensure you have the identification at hand.
- The Driving license: This document authorizes you to drive a car that must be presented while hiring a self-drive rental in Uganda. There is no way a car rental company can hire you for a vehicle without proving that you are eligible and a credible driver. A driver’s license printed in English should be presented in case you do not get from your home country’s driving authorities to get you an international driving license. In Rwanda, foreign driving licenses are only valid for two months, and they are invalid.
- The electronic transfer money card or the Money: This is an understandable check since there is no commodity or service given to a person without any payment. Car rental companies have two modes of payment, i.e. electronic payment and cash payment modes. Many car rental companies are comfortable with major international currencies in Ugandan shillings, such as the US dollar, pound sterling, and Euros. If you are to make payments with another currency inform the company before you get to the counter.
- Rental car insurance: as you are hiring a rental car in Rwanda, make sure that it has comprehensive insurance that covers the damages that might be caused to the car. The insurance puts you in the position of being liable for the damages that may occur to the vehicle in case of any dilemma while driving in Uganda. You should ask the car company to inform you, under which circumstances you will be responsible for the damages caused to the vehicle and what to do when an accident occurs.
- Always inspect the rental very well: before taking off the car, always check for both internal and external damages on the car. In case any damages are found, make sure that you inform the company about them. You can also take pictures of the car and the damages found. You should also go the extra mile to drive a test of the rental car with the delivery boy to get familiar with the car and to check whether it operates well.
- Always seek driving tips in Rwanda: it’s best for a foreign traveler to always seek driving advice since different countries have got different driving rules and regulations. Know the side/hand at which you are supposed to drive, the speed limit, the climate and the nature of the road of the destination you are leading to, and the behavior of other road users.
- Always check for extra facilities: in case you asked for supplementary facilities to help you while on a self-drive trip in Rwanda like the GPS, travel maps, travel books, camping equipment, and also the baby seats in case traveling with infants then check whether they are brought along. These facilities are always in use while on self-drive adventures.
- The Fuel Tank: Many of travelers forget to check the fuel gauge of the car but upon returning the car, they get into arguments with the car providers about the fuel. In order to avoid all these arguments, it’s better to check the fuel tank before setting off for your journey so that you might know what amount of fuel you are supposed to return with the vehicle.
