Taking your hire car abroad
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Even in the current economic climate - and with unfavourable exchange rates - this is still the time of year when people are most inclined to travel abroad either for business or pleasure.
When company vehicles are taken abroad, it's the responsibility of the fleet operator - and driver - to ensure that equipment legally required in countries being visited is carried. Correct documentation, insurance and recovery cover are essential. The driver must also know the relevant traffic laws - and abide by them.
Tim Bowden, Operations Manager, Hitachi Capital Vehicle Solutions, gives us his top three tips for taking your hire car abroad.
- 1. Documentation - "One of the most important considerations for drivers when taking a company car abroad is to provide the leasing company with as much notice as possible. The authorities will only accept original documentation so it is crucial that drivers allow for sufficient processing and postage time. They should also remember to include all potential drivers on their request, assuming they are insured for driving abroad by the employer.
"Your leasing provider will supply you with a VE103B or "on-hire" certificate. This is eligible for 12 months providing that the driver details, vehicle details and countries being visited remain the same."
- 2. Roadside cover/insurance - "Drivers should always check the level of overseas roadside assistance cover and vehicle repatriation (if any) that form part of the employer's or leasing company's policy cover. It could prove very costly and inconvenient if this is not looked into before a trip, but a leasing company may be able to assist in this.
"Drivers may not be fully aware that a leasing company's overseas cover will not normally provide personal insurance elements, so additional personal cover (e.g. AA 5* cover) may need to be sought."
- 3. Equipment - "Ensuring that drivers purchase the necessary travel accessories required by law in the countries they are visiting is also essential. Required accessories typically include items such as headlamp beam deflectors, warning triangles and hi-visibility jackets.
"More specifically, if drivers intend to use the Channel Tunnel, there are certain items that they are not meant to carry. For example, a fire extinguisher may be required for a vehicle driven in Belgium, but Channel Tunnel authorities may insist that certain types are not permitted for transit on their trains. Again, these details should be checked prior to the date of travel to avoid unnecessary stress during an overseas journey."
For more information about the equipment required in your travel destination, call our Overseas Travel Team on 01635 589721. We can supply travel packs tailored to your destination.
