Here are 8 things to consider when renting a car for business use.
When travelling for business, renting a car can be a great option. Not only does it offer the independence and freedom to make your own schedule and save on car sharing services, but it adds a note of professionalism to your overall image.
But there are a lot of things to consider when renting a car, with policies and regulations differing greatly between countries.
So here are 8 things to consider when renting a car for business use.
When renting a car for your business trip, you need to always consider the traffic conditions you will encounter at your destination. Although some cities might not be congested, some can have a higher ratio of cars per capita – cities like Virginia Beach, Colorado Springs, Los Angeles, Istanbul and Bucharest.
That’s why you should research and rent a smaller car, for which it can be easier to find a parking spot and help you navigate easier around the city.
Depending on your line of work, you might carry a briefcase for your business trip or might need to bring certain materials to showcase during the meeting.
Take note of all the equipment and gear you might need and rent a car appropriately. From bigger trunks to cars specifically with four doors – in case you will need to travel with other colleagues, this attention to detail would be the key between a difficult or a successful business trip.
Although driving legislation is the same in all countries (don’t drink and drive, don’t use your phone while driving etc.), each country has different road and parking policies. You cannot keep up with all of them, especially if you have a lot of business trips. That’s why, when you rent a car for work, it’s better to go to a rental company with a big fleet, as you know they have a lot of experience and encountered a lot of questions from the renters.
We collaborate with companies that are trustworthy in the market, like Europcar, Goldcar, Hertz and Sixt, that not only know what you will need, but can explain, for instance, how parking timers work or if you risk a fine if passengers in the backseat don’t wear their seatbelts. Cars rented from peak car insurance companies will have all you need inside the rented car – from car parking timers to all the necessary insurances you need for the road.
We all want to play our part in protecting the environment and taking care of our planet, but driving electric cars isn’t as easy as you might think. There are multiple elements you need to keep in mind when renting an electric vehicle for business purposes, such as the number of charging stations in a given city.
Some of the countries that are great for renting electrical vehicles are Norway, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, or Germany.
Road taxes are something drivers are very familiar with. When renting a car for work, be mindful to save all the receipts from the toll booths and any other additional expenses, for future reimbursement.
Usually, the vignette is the most important one to get. Either virtual or in the form of a sticker you put on your windshield, a vignette is a road tax that is applied for a certain period of time, instead of a tax toll that is there for a certain distance of the road. Vignettes can be found at the renting facility or at gas stations.
Chances are you already checked the weather forecast before taking an important business trip, but they’re more useful than you think. It’s important to know if you need to rent a corporate car with proper climate control or with winter tyres, especially when heading to a climate you are not familiar with.
Most car rental websites have the option of selecting if you want a car with air conditioning or not, so use that toggle wisely.
When travelling in unfamiliar territory, there are a lot of apps that can help with your navigation. Of course, it would be advisable to download them from a trusted wifi and use them wisely while driving.
A list of apps a driver must have downloaded are:
Some of these apps might not work in certain countries, so check if these apps are universal and, if they’re not, what other options are there?
Business car rentals can be perfect to reinforce the vision of your company. Depending on what plays a bigger role for your business, you can choose what car would personify this image and which would comply with the existing travel policy of your company.
For instance, if sustainability plays a key role in your mission, consider renting an electric vehicle. If power or force are more representative, you can opt for a 4x4.
Having a successful business trip doesn’t just mean to rent the perfect business car. Elements like the accommodation you opt for and the flight are also elements that might make or break a trip.
Booking.com for Business offers all the elements for a connected trip. Via our platform, you can find not only great accommodations for a travelling professional, but also plane tickets and a reliable business car rental programme.
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