Although Bucharest has got lots of public and private transportation options that are somewhat affordable, maybe you’ve settled on renting a car to be the best option for you. Renting a car comes with lots of advantages as it lets you stay independent and also hit the road on your schedule. There won’t be any need to be bothered about waiting for a bus or a train. This city’s public transport system is strong and trustworthy, but renting a car provides total freedom.
Though it may look all good renting a car in Bucharest, there are some things you need to consider. Ranging from the recommended age requirements to set road rules while driving, going on a road trip in Bucharest may not be the same as in your home country. So, without any further ado, let’s get to know the various tips for driving a rental car in Bucharest, Romania.
Tips For Driving a Rental Car in Bucharest, Romania
When planning on renting a car in Bucharest, Romania, you’ll have to be at least 21 years. However, age could be a bit higher depending on the rental vehicle. Aside from the age, you’ll need to have a license for at least one year. Mind you, if you’re under 25, you may be required to pay higher fees as a ‘young driver.’
In addition, manual cars are usually used in Romania, so renting an automatic car may come at a higher price. However, a great majority of cars available for rent are manual. If you’re not conversant with driving a manual car, you should try to learn before you hire or have a second thought about driving in Romania.
For Americans or Canadians seeking to drive in Romania, you’ll need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive legally. Have no clue about what the IDP entails? Guess it’s because most European countries are lenient about driving with an American or Canadian license. Romania, on the other hand, takes its documentation processes strictly.
Getting an IDP isn’t that stressful. If you reside in the US, two places have been legally authorized to issue an IDP. This include; AAA and American Automobile Touring Alliance(AATA). If you’re a recipient of the American Driver’s license, getting an IDP won’t take more than a sec. All the buzz about an IDP here is because an IDP helps translate the license you have. It’s a piece of paper you can carry while visiting Romania with your original license.
What are the Rules of the Road in Bucharest, Romania?
Driving a rental car in Bucharest seems similar to driving in other western countries. But it, however, looks and feels different from driving a rental car in the US or Canada due to the cars and roads being much smaller. In Bucharest, you drive on the right side of the road while putting on a seat belt at all times.
While driving with children under three years old or under 135cm in height, ensure you’re properly seated in the back seats.
How about drinking and driving? Well, in Bucharest, there’s no tolerance for buzz driving as the legal limit is 0.0% blood alcohol content (BAC).
Be cautious of the road as Romanians tend to drive aggressively. If you get easily intimidated by this form of driving, it would be best to desist from driving in bigger cities or avoid rush hour trips. With the high rate of speeders in this city, you should follow the pace of traffic but always stick to the speed limits. The recommended speed limits for highways are 130km/hr; for European and national roads, it’s 100km/hr for regional roads, while 50km/hr on town routes.
In addition, due to the high number of speed drivers in Bucharest, it’s a common practice for car drivers to flesh their headlights to greet other drivers or warn other drivers of speed traps ahead. Though it’s unnecessary to do this, always keep it in mind if someone gives you a headlight on the highway.
Car Rentals in Bucharest Romania
Guess you now have an idea about getting an international driving permit and the basic rules guiding the road, but how about renting a car to tour around the beautiful city of Bucharest? Bucharest has some major car rental companies like; Hertz, sixth, and Pricecarz, amongst others. These rental companies are highly reputable, providing great services with different cars for all occasions in this city.
Renting a car in Bucharest, Romania is the same as renting a car anywhere else. You’ll need to come along with a driver’s license for at least one year and a national passport/ID. In some cases, you’ll be required to leave a security deposit. In addition to the tips on renting a car in Bucharest, always ensure the rental car is insured- either by the car rental company or by your home car insurance company. You should also know the various conditions that apply to the rental car and any possible fees the car rental company may charge for certain incidents like a minor car scrape.
At Pricecarz auto rentals, additional features like a free additional driver, unlimited mileage, and a no-cancellation fee are provided to customers. If you want to rent a car in Bucharest with no hidden costs in a simple and fast process, then Pricecarz makes a perfect choice. With over 300 machines and 24/7 roadside assistance and towing services in any location, this auto rental company in Bucharest provides the best car for any occasion.
Aside from renting a car for short trips, Pricecarz also provides rental cars on a long term basis as you can choose to rent a car for up to 60 months with them.
As long you are patient, calm, and an experienced driver, driving in Bucharest will be much more fun than you think. Visit major museums in the city and have a trip to the palace of parliament with a rental car. The major benefits of using a rental car are freedom and the ability to set your preferred schedule.