8 Things To Consider When Renting A Car For A Business Trip

When renting a car for your business trip, always consider the traffic conditions you will encounter at your destination. Although some cities might not be too crowded, some can have a higher ratio of cars per capital. That’s why you should research and rent a smaller car, which can make it easier to both find a parking spot and navigate around the city.

2. The car space you need for your trip

Depending on your line of work, you might carry a briefcase for your business trip or need to bring certain materials to showcase in meetings. Take note of all the equipment and gear you might need and rent a car accordingly. From bigger trunks to cars with four doors, if you are traveling with other colleagues, attention to such details can make the difference between a difficult or a successful business trip.

3. Road and parking policies

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 can’t 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, because you know they have a lot of experience and have encountered questions from renters.

4. Tolls and vignettes

Road taxes are something drivers are very familiar with. When renting a car for work, remember to save all the receipts from toll booths and any other additional expenses for future reimbursement.

Usually, the vignette is the most important one to get. Either in the form of a sticker you put on your windshield or digital, a vignette is a road tax that applies for a certain period of time, instead of a toll for a certain distance of the road. Vignettes can be found at the rental office or gas stations.

5. Sustainability when renting a business car

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 to keep in mind when renting an electric vehicle for business purposes, such as the number of charging stations in a given city.

Some great countries for renting electric vehicles are Norway, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany.

6. Weather conditions

Chances are you have already checked the forecast before an important business trip, but it’s 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 tires, especially when heading to a climate you aren’t familiar with.

Most car rental websites have the option of selecting a car with air conditioning or not, so use that toggle wisely.

7. Install navigation apps beforehand

When traveling in unfamiliar territory, there are a lot of apps that can help with navigation. It’s advisable to download them from a trusted Wi-Fi connection and use them wisely while driving.

Here’s a list of apps drivers should download:

• Waze – for navigation purposes
• Smart Dash Cam – an app that can be useful in case of a road incident
• Petrol Prices – helpful for finding reasonably-priced gas stations
• Just Park – makes it easier to find parking spots

Some of these apps might not work in certain countries, so check if they are universal and, if not, what other options are available.

8. Consider your company’s travel policy

Business car rentals can be perfect for reinforcing the image of your company. Depending on what plays a bigger role for your business, you can choose what car best exemplifies this image and which would comply with the existing travel policy of your company.

For example, 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 4×4.

Having a successful business trip doesn’t just mean renting the perfect business car. Elements like the accommodations and flights you opt for also make or break a trip.