Before you land at the Johannesburg, there are some things you need to know about driving that may differ from driving in your home country. The best way to get around is in a car and you should make arrangements with a reputable Johannesburg car hire company well in advance of your arrival. This will ensure you get the vehicle you need for safe and comfortable transportation to the areas you plan to visit. These tips will help you prepare for your travel once you secure your car hire.
- In Johannesburg, you will drive on the left hand side of the road, something that can take some getting used to when you normally drive on the opposite side. This can be especially challenging since there are no real effective ways to practice other than driving in a parking lot. Start out by staying on busy roads that allow you to follow another vehicle until you become adjusted to the change.
- As soon as you get the car at the car hire facility, sit down behind the wheel and familiarize yourself with the features so you aren’t under pressure when you need them! Windshield wipers and lights may be in opposite places than you are used to, making it difficult to recover when a shower hits or it starts to get dark.
- Speed limits are posted in km/h instead of miles. If you are used to driving by feel, you should realize that the speed limits are not what you are used to. For instance, a 60km speed limit on an urban road is approximately equivalent to 37 mph.
- Minibus taxis are known for their over-enthusiastic maneuvers. Keep your distance from them.
- If you come to a traffic light that isn’t working, think of it as a four-way stop. The first vehicle to reach it is the first to go through the intersection.
- On roads where there are roundabouts, vehicles on the right always have the right-of-way. However, it isn’t unusual for drivers in Johannesburg to follow the same pattern that they observe at a four-way stop.
- There are still attendants who provide old-fashioned service at the fuel stations. Make sure you give them an appropriate tip and enjoy the service.
- If you plan to drive outside of Johannesburg, check with the car hire company to make sure you are insured if you drive outside of South Africa.
The time for shopping around for your rental vehicle is before you leave home. You can go online and compare a number of rental sites to get the best price and find out the requirements for renting a car. It is a good idea to stick with top names like Avis, Hertz, Budget, and Europcar to get a top quality vehicle. You can use an online car hire service to get quotes from the top rental companies to get the best price without sacrificing quality. Make your reservation online and your car will be available to pick up once you arrive in Johannesburg.