Traveling abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. It’s also rather stressful to organize and you should do what you can to make it more comfortable and easy on you. You Travel by Car-
One of the ways to do so is to travel by car and set your own schedule with as many stops as you need to. You’ll need a few documents in order to drive abroad legally. Luckily, all of these are easy to obtain and are valid for a long time.
The Documents Needed for You Travel by Car
If you plan to drive abroad with international driving permit, you’ll also need a national license and proof of identification. The permit itself is issued based on the national license and only works if the permit is still valid. It’s issued without the need for any additional tests and exams.
An international permit is valid for a year and a national permit lasts about five. The first one is easily renewed but the latter often can’t be renewed once you’re abroad so you’re stuck if it gets outdated. The permit comes in a few languages and can cover your needs in most countries.
Make Sure You Know the Roads
Traveling on foreign roads you’re not familiar with is a bit dangerous and can get you in trouble if you’re not careful. To avoid any issues, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the route beforehand.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a GPS especially if you plan to drive far from cities where your phone GPS can do the trick for you. These devices often come with their own insurance policy so be prepared for the additional cost.
Take Plenty of Stops
It’s essential to be well-rested while driving abroad. Make sure to include plenty of stops in your plans. These will help you rest after a long drive and allow you to experience the country with the locals. This is often more rewarding than going the traditional tourist route.
It’s best to make a stop every two hours for at least 15 minutes. This will help you stay focused and mitigate the risk of accidents. It’s also useful to take turns when driving if you have more than one driving per vehicle. That way you can cover more ground and get to your destination faster without getting too tired.
Should You Do It?
There are many benefits of taking a road trip with your own or rented vehicle while abroad. The decision to do so is still up to the driver since there are risks and downsides as well. If you’re not familiar enough with the roads and you don’t feel safe or you find the drive too tiring – you should skip the road trip.
However, with the right planning and the proper documents with you, the road trip can be a great adventure you’ll take about for years after your holiday. It can also make the trip far less stressful and constraining.