You need to make sure that all of your legal documents are up to date and on your person. You need to have a valid driver's license in order to drive in Europe. Many of the western countries in Europe will accept an American driver's license but many in the rest of Europe will not. Check ahead to see what the country you will be visiting insists on. You may be required to get an international driver's permit before driving in the country of your choice. Factoring in adequate time for this before your departure is essential.
Calling the car rental place or contacting them on-line ahead of time is a must. Do this as soon as you book your trip. This way you can ensure that, you will have a car waiting for you when you arrive in Europe. By planning, you can choose the type of car you would like and the exact date that you need it for rather than having to accept whatever is available. Book your car reservation early so that you get exactly what you want.
It is wise to remember that driving is quite different in Europe. You must drive on the left hand side of the road and many of the vehicles there are stick shift. You will need to be confident and comfortable driving a car with manual transmission. Many people are not, which could pose a potential problem. When you call to reserve your rental car, make sure to specify the location that you wish to pick it up at. This could be an airport or a standalone rental agency. You can look up all of the locations on-line to determine where you want to pick up your car. In most cases, you can return the car to any rental location of the same name.
Get acquainted with the traffic laws and speed limits before driving in Europe. You could ruin a good time by running into a speeding ticket or worse, having an accident. Drive carefully and always is respectful on the road. Your trip is about having a good time so take the necessary steps to doing so.
