Collecting and driving your rental car at night may be necessary if your flight arrives late. If you’re planning long trips or visiting a country with short daylight hours, you’ll need to drive in the dark. The tips below will help make picking up your car and driving at night less stressful.
You can easily rent a car with Bookcars.com, world’s leading car rental platform, where you can find many different brands and models.
Tips for Safe Driving After Dark with a Rental Car
Collecting at night
When booking, it’s a good idea to compare suppliers’ fees for collecting your rental car outside of regular hours. Many suppliers don’t operate 24/7, so picking up a car in the middle of the night might incur an additional fee. These charges vary, so check each supplier’s rental conditions.
Sometimes, waiting 30 minutes for regular hours to begin might be better than paying the out-of-hours fee. If your pickup is delayed, inform the supplier. Some suppliers don’t track flight delays, so it’s your responsibility to notify them of any changes. Even if a supplier operates 24/7, they might close early if there are no upcoming bookings.
If your delayed pickup extends past regular hours, you may still have to pay the out-of-hours fee. Keep in mind, the out-of-hours fee helps cover the supplier’s costs for having staff available to assist with late-night collections.
Collection instructions
Before booking, decide how you want to pick up your vehicle. Suppliers may offer different options depending on the location. You might collect the car from the airport parking lot or take a shuttle bus to the car hire depot.
Consider which option is more convenient and safe for you. Familiarize yourself with these instructions beforehand. They will be displayed on the website before booking and included in the rental conditions on your pre-paid car hire voucher.
Surveying the vehicle whenever you pick up your rental car, take the time to thoroughly survey it. Ensure that the supplier’s representative notes any existing damage. If they are hesitant, remember you can call a 24/7 emergency support line, and get help resolving the issue with the supplier.
Feel free to take photos of any pre-existing damage with your smartphone or camera. Make sure the photos are clear and show the extent of the damage. Use the flash if needed.
If you will be collecting the vehicle at night, bring a small torch to help with the inspection and to highlight damage in photos. If you don’t have a torch, consider downloading a flashlight app on your smartphone. The torch can also be useful if you experience a breakdown at night.
Check Your Lights
One of the most important aspects of driving at night is making sure your vehicle’s lights are working properly. Check the fuel level, tire pressure, and that all lights (headlights, brake lights, turn signals) are working.
Dim or faulty lights can greatly reduce your visibility and increase the risk of accidents. Regularly clean your headlights to remove dirt and grime, which can limit their brightness and effectiveness.
Adjust Your Headlights
The brightness of your headlights depends on the bulb and the cleanliness of the plastic cover. The angle of the lamp also matters. If you have trouble seeing the road at night, consider cleaning or replacing the lamp assembly. Some cars let you adjust the angle with a switch inside, but if yours doesn’t, you might need a mechanic’s help.
Check Your Vision
Dark conditions make it hard for our eyes to perceive depth and notice changes accurately. Regular eye check-ups are important because various eye conditions can reduce night vision, making night driving more dangerous.
Watch for Wildlife
Nocturnal animals of various sizes can pose a hazard at night. To avoid accidents with wildlife, watch for small, bright reflections on the road ahead. If you see a large animal, slow down quickly but stay in your lane and don’t drive off the road.
Animals are most active around dusk and a few hours after. Be extra cautious when driving through forested areas and fields.
Check Your Mobile phone
Make sure your mobile phone works abroad. Bring a charger and keep the battery full, especially when driving at night or on long trips.
Plan Your Journey
Get familiar with your route before driving at night. Consider using a SatNav to help you see the way in the dark instead of struggling with a paper map. Ensure the app is updated to provide accurate directions and traffic information.
Before you start driving, input your destination into your GPS or app and review the route. That will help you to familiarize yourself with key turns, exits, and landmarks.
Finally Contact Details
For either category above, it would be worthwhile storing our contact details and those of the supplier on your mobile phone or tablet device. The backlight will allow you to read the car rental voucher easily, without any readability issues. Consider storing the contact numbers in your mobile’s contacts list for easy access.
Add comment