Anyone can make a car go forward – it’s road sense that you really need. None more so than when you’re driving on foreign roads, as you never know what might hit you – literally! Almost every country in the world is different when it comes to motoring, varying wildly from anything to the side of the road they drive on, to the condition of the tarmac, to whether or not the locals have actually passed a recognized driving test!
And generally speaking, the less developed a country is, the more you’re going to have your work cut out for you in staying safe on the highways and byways. Lucky for you, we’ve put together some tips for keeping yourself and your vehicle intact when you’re driving in an alien land! Do remember to get a proper license first!
Driving Documents
Since we’re on the subject of licenses, please make sure you have one! It might seem like an obvious point to make, but you’d be surprised how many people drive without actually having completed a driving test. And don’t get us started on the rules and regulations for passing a test around the world! In Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia for example, many locals simply BUY their license. This might explain why they’re so bad at driving! And they’re not alone – just because your country might have a legitimate system for passing the required test, doesn’t mean the country you’re going to visit does! Always protect yourself and make sure you have a full driving license.
Check to see if you need any further documentation too – sometimes you’ll need an international driving permit to be allowed to use the roads.
The Rules of the Road
The number one rule here is – make sure you know which side you’re meant to be driving on! Again this might seem simple enough, but accidents do happen. A friend of ours once drove a hire car for quite a few kilometers on the wrong side of the road while driving in France! What was the wrong side t