Hiring a car and a local guide/driver for a day or two is good value for a family and allows you to see the new country, to stop wherever and whenever you want, and to talk to a local informant who will help you understand the local culture - or at least entertainingly misinform you.

Driving Documentation

Police can demand to see your ID on the spot in many countries. In some countries you may also be required to carry an International Driving Permit.

Booking

Although booking ahead may not be the cheapest option, if you are travelling with children it's better than having the bother of finding a vehicle once you arrive.

Ask about any special offers applicable, family rates, child discounts, discount vouchers (although bear in mind if you would actually buy the 'discounted' item under normal circumstances). At weekends if you are travelling near to business centres ask about 'leisure' rather than 'business rates' - as the vast majority of businessmen/women have gone home for the weekend - remember, if you don't ask you don't get -. Check that the rates quoted include all extras such as collision damage waiver, local taxes, insurance etc.

If it's going to fit in with your itinerary it may be worth using whatever transfer options are available from the airport and then either collecting your vehicle or organising it to be dropped off at your accommodation the next day.

A drop off charge will be payable but will work out cheaper than a day's rental you don't use and if you choose to hire away from the actual airport rates tend to be lower. Also it will avoid hanging around an airport when you and the children are tired, especially following a long haul flight, and is, therefore, the easiest and safest option.

Many hire car accidents occur on the roads leaving airports ! If you have chosen a 'drop off', be sure to get directions as to exactly where to return the car to, how long the paperwork will take to complete, how far it is from the departures terminal and whether trolleys are available for your luggage. It may be worthwhile to let one adult take the car back whilst the other waits in the departures lounge with the children and luggage.

Specify when booking that you want a vehicle without any of the hire company's advertising and with local number plates. See Crime Prevention below for further tips. Remember to pack [LINK to protect your child from strong sunlight and minimise motion sickness and to book a car with air conditioning if your destination is going to be hot.

In most countries it is law that any child under five must travel in a child or infant seat. This varies from country to country, and can be anything up to six years. In Australia it's illegal for babies to travel in cars without a bolted in car seat. Infant/child seats are not usually available for one-way rentals.

You will nearly always have to pay extra for a car seat/s, if travelling outside the UK and US, we always request a well known brand of padded seat, i.e. Britax, Concorde, etc, otherwise you may end up with a very basic uncomfortable seat. Tell them your child's weight rather than age. Often it is Stage 1 seats and booster seats for older children that are harder to come by rather than the Stage 2 and 3 seats for children up to approximately 4 years.

Taking your own Car Child Seat/Booster Seat

If you decide to take your own car seat, make sure it fits into the model of the car you are hiring; some car seats don't fit some cars. For more information on taking a car seat on board an aircraft Check out In the skies- Car seats on board

If a child has grown out of his seat, but is still too small to wear an adult belt comfortably, use a booster cushion designed for the purpose to raise him to a more suitable height. Economising by using an ordinary household-style cushion is false and dangerously economy. In an accident it could slide forward allowing your child to slip out from under the seat belt. Booster seats can be checked with your other luggage and stowed in the hold as any damage to these seats is not as elementary to the safety it provides.

Stage 1 seats, however, are usually constructed of hard plastic and, therefore, are at risk of invisible damage caused by less than careful baggage handlers. If you want to take your Stage 1 seat with you but the airline does not permit it's use in the cabin, we suggest that you take it in it's original box and most importantly, it's original polystyrene internal packing to protect it throughout it's journey. This means a bit of hassle when you reach the airport car park and you will need a roll of strong packing tape and as many 'FRAGILE' stickers as you can muster. If you've thrown the old packaging away, ask at your local car seat shop, if they have a spare box, they will more than likely be able to help as there will be a surplus of boxes for their display model.

Vehicle Airbags

Never allow a baby in a rearward-facing infant seat to ride in the front passenger seat if there is an active airbag. Some cars allow you to deactivate the passenger air bag - if you do so, check before every journey that it is still disconnected.

Multi Purpose Vehicles MPV's

If you are a family of three or more children requiring car seats then book an MPV that way you will have a vehicle with three rows of seats and, therefore, more shoulder straps for fitting more car seats.

Campervans

Campervans usually only have storage space for soft holdalls; large suitcases will generally get in the way.

Finally ask for confirmation in writing of all details of your car hire booking.

At The Rental Office

Before leaving the rental location, look your vehicle over, inside and out, for any signs of damage. If you find anything, point it out to the personnel at the rental desk and either make sure it is noted on your contract, or ask for a different vehicle. After you have returned your rental vehicle, keep a copy of the check-in form signed by the agent to prove that you have returned it undamaged.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with the vehicles safety equipment, seat belt, door locks, hazard lights, windscreen wipers, spare tyre, child locks and ensure that you have been given a copy of the manufacturers instructions for fitting the child's car seat.

The seat should have been thoroughly cleaned, treated with disinfectant, checked for proper functioning and delivered to you in a perforated plastic bag. In the past rental staff have tried to fob us off with car seats where the harness release catch was broken, where seats didn't fit in the make of car we'd hired and others that were threadbare and smelt disgusting. If you're not happy with any safety aspect ask now!

Car rental representatives are normally only allowed to instruct you how to install the seat. If someone else has fitted the car seat for you, please check, following the instructions that it has been fitted correctly.

Before you leave the rental area always check maps and ask for directions so you know exactly where you are going. Trying to read a map whilst driving is dangerous and indicates that you are unfamiliar with an area.

Ask what local emergency vehicle's signals look and sound like, and do not stop for flashing white headlights alone.

Make sure that the vehicle is full of fuel and you know which type of fuel it takes.

Crime Prevention

The safety of you and your children is most important. Remember that personal safety is your responsibility, do what you think is best under the circumstances and above all stay alert and be cautious.

If your car malfunctions on a major road, lock the doors, turn on the hazard warning lights and wait for the police to arrive. If someone offers help, have him or her call the police for you.

Don't pull over to assist what may appear to be a disabled car, even if someone tries to flag you down. If you have a mobile phone, call the police for them.

Drive to a service station or store if you need directions or information. Casual street-corner directions are the easiest way to get completely lost. Don't leave your guidebook on the seat of the car or in your hand.

Don't stop if a passing motorist tells you that something is wrong with your vehicle or if someone bumps you from behind. Pull into the nearest service station or well lit public area and call the police.

At traffic lights, leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you in case you must pull away quickly. Always keep doors locked and windows rolled up when driving or when parked. Keep valuables out of sight in the boot or glove compartment.

Don't pick up hitchhikers under any circumstances. Always be aware of the pedestrian traffic around your vehicle. Always park in well-lit areas. Have your keys in hand and check in and around the car before entering.