With recent changes in the fuel policies for almost all car rental companies, you will no doubt find yourself with what’s known as a Full-To-Full fuel policy next time you rent a car. Gone are the days of having to pay for a tank of fuel regardless of how many miles you may or may not be driving.

What Is A Full To Full Fuel Policy?

Full To Full means exactly what it says, when you collect the rental vehicle it will have a full tank of fuel. The rental company will require a deposit for the amount of this fuel which is generally between £60-£100 depending on the size of the vehicles fuel tank.

You can then drive away safe in the knowledge that you will not have to try and find the closest petrol station and fill up before you continue your journey, this is particularly helpful when arriving on a late flight or with your family in tow, all who just want to get to your destination and start their holiday.

The requirement on you is to return the vehicle at the end of your rental full of fuel, do this and your deposit will be returned in full. If you do not return it with a full tank, they will charge you for the missing fuel and a refuelling charge (admin charge). The simplest way of ensuring you can return the vehicle full, is to do a little research.

Where Is My Nearest Petrol Station?

A simple online search ‘nearest fuel station’ or ‘petrol stations near Heathrow‘ for example, will provide you with a list.

In my experience, there is usually a petrol station within a couple of miles of any airport. Obviously you will need to make sure it’s open at the time you intend to return your rental car but they tend to be open 24hrs, especially in built up areas close to the airport.

Researching petrol stations near to your location may also help, however you will need to consider the distance from your nearest fuel station back to the airport. If that journey is more than just a few miles then by the time you get back to the rental office, the tank will no longer be full.

What Are The Cost Implications?

When researching the nearest petrol station, the information that it won’t give you is the cost of the fuel. For those like me who are price conscious then this is an important part of the research. Services close to airports tend to cost more per litre than the inner city filling stations. There are websites like confused.com that will give you a good idea of the cost per litre at various outlets, it’s surprising how much it can vary. But, it’s down to you to weigh up the benefits of saving at the pump and driving further to return the car and potentially being charged by the supplier, or filling up close to the airport at a higher cost but ensuring there will be no charges for not having a full tank.

I Filled The Car Up But it’s Not Showing Full

The majority of suppliers know that it is not always possible to pull into the airport with a brimming fuel tank. This can work both ways, sometimes you will fill up, drive 50 miles to return the car and it still shows full. Other times, you may fill up a mile away from the airport and the fuel gauge isn’t playing ball that day. A general rule of thumb is, fill the car up within 10 miles (15km) of their location and show them a receipt for this and all will be well.

If you have any questions regarding fuel policies or charges involved then please get in touch. Our reservations team is on hand to help with anything car hire related. We may even be able to help find the Nearest Petrol Station for you. Contact us by phone on 0113 88 00 748, email us on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk or chat with us online.

When arriving in a foreign country there a lot of important factors to consider before getting behind the wheel. Driving on the wrong side of the car is a challenge for some, Speed limits in kilometres and not miles per hour and rules of the road are all important ones. But, first and foremost you should know which side of the road to drive on.

Growing up in the UK means I have driven on the left-hand side for much of my driving life, it’s nations that were once British colonies that make up the large proportion of countries that drive on the left. These include Australia, India and South Africa.

More than two thirds of the countries in the world drive on the right-hand side, including China and the USA. Canadians used to drive on the left but changed to the right in the 1920’s to make travel between Canada and the USA easier.

Why Do We Drive on Different Sides?

For a very long time, it didn’t really matter which side of the road was used. There weren’t that many people travelling and the roads they used weren’t paved and didn’t use any kind of traffic signals. The public were free to travel around however they pleased.

It’s said that a preference of driving sides goes back to horse riding when most societies preferred left-hand (riding) driving. This offered certain advantages for a right-handed rider. Riding on the left allowed for a weapon to be held in their dominant hand as they pass a potential enemy. They also mount the horse from the left meaning they would be mounting from the path side rather than going into the road.

In 1773, the British Government created the General Highways Act, which advised the public to drive on the left. The Highways Act some 60 or so years later in 1835 later reinforced this, making it the law. Britain went on to introduce the left-hand side driving convention in all colonised countries.

So Why Do the Majority Drive on The Right?

At the turn on the 20th century, the majority of countries around the world still had no rules or laws in place for what the preferred riding/driving side was. Until Henry Ford mass-produced his Model T. An automobile with left hand drive, helped make the idea of right side driving popular. As automobiles became more and more popular worldwide, more and more nations began to adopt official laws about driving. The most popular combination being on the right-hand side of the road in a left-hand drive car.

It has been said many times that we should all drive on the same side, the only answer to this is practicality. Much like the Americans choosing to stick with imperial over metric, changing a city like London to drive on the other side would be a mammoth task and cause everyone involved a lot of upheaval.

Which Countries Drive On the Left?

Below is a list we have compiled of which countries drive on the left hand side and which countries drive on the right hand side. This is not an exhaustive list, but includes countries popular with our customers.

[table id=297 /]

If you haven’t had the best summer weather, or are just yearning to extend those precious weeks of warmth into the Fall, we’ve got some great suggestions for where you can go to chase the sun this October.

1. The Amalfi Coast (Italy)

The average daily temperature is still in the low twenties, and you can bask along the Gulf of Salerno in a UNESCO World Heritage Site while sipping the local limoncello in peace. Perfect.

2. Paphos, (Cyprus)

Stroll the beautiful beaches on the west coast of the Mediterranean’s third largest island and explore an ancient land that has been inhabited (and coveted) for over 12,000 years. The temperature is in the high twenties during the day, and wonderfully cool at night.

3. Zanzibar (Tanzania)

Relax on this East African archipelago and gaze into the gorgeous blues of the Indian Ocean. The sand is soft, the birds plentiful, and the dolphins exceptionally friendly.

4. Dubai (United Arab Emirates)

Summer in Dubai is not for the faint of heart nor fair of skin, but is ideal for a sun holiday in October. Plenty to keep you entertained after a day at the beach, and famous for its luxurious accommodations.

5. Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

Anywhere in the Canaries is lovely at this time of year, but staying in Lanzarote provides a unique opportunity to explore the volcanic surrounds of the Timanfaya National Park. Temperature in the mid-twenties and sunshine galore.

6. Marrakech (Morocco)

Lose yourself in the famed markets, take a camel ride at sunset, and revel in the warm days and cool nights of this intriguing part of the Moroccan kingdom.

7. The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Explore the world’s most engagaing ecological wonder during the best time of the year to see its unique wildlife and aquatic animals. The weather is in the mid-twenties and the water temperature isn’t very far behind, making visiting during the off-season all the more appealing.

8. Alacati (Turkey)

This picturesque seaside town on Turkey’s west coast is filled with stunning architecture, cobbled streets, stone houses, and charming restaurants. For a sun holiday in October, there’s absolutely nothing to compare with a little wind or kitesurfing on the Aegean followed by a glass of the famed local wine.

9. Las Vegas (U.S.A.)

If you’ve always wanted to go, this is the time to visit sin city. The oppressive heat of summer is over, and while the evenings can be cool, the days are still hotter than most of the slot machines.

10. Perugia (Italy)

For something completely different, try Perugia in the third week of October. The temperature will likely be slightly below twenty degrees, but you’ll be enjoying the Eurochocolate festival so really, you won’t be too worried if you need a light jacket.

All of these October Sun Holidays are accessible by car hire – and there’s nothing like a convertible to squeeze out every drop of “extra summer”.

Taking a road trip is one of the most enjoyable ways of going on a summer holiday. If you plan to drive, safety comes first. To come in your help, our experts put together: Eight Tips for Safe Driving During the Summer Holiday. This will help you enjoy your much anticipated and much needed time off.

Eight Tips for Safe Driving During the Summer Holiday

1. Plan your departure time
Either start early or later than what most drivers do. When you leave very early in the morning, you can avoid the rush hour traffic. The same is true when you wait for the evening traffic to get lighter before you depart for your destination.

2. Find an alternate route.
The volume of traffic increases around 20% during long weekends, so it is ideal to take the “scenic” routes. These could be the secondary roads or country roads. You will not find much traffic on the country roads. Even if it is not a direct route and you are unable to drive fast as per the limits, you might be able to get to your destination earlier than when you decide to drive on a 400 series highway.

3. Inspect your vehicle thoroughly before departing.
This is very important, especially if it is an old car. You would not want to experience any trouble on the way, so check everything, including the engine, fluids, brakes, tires, lights, etc.

4. Make sure that you are ready for a roadside emergency.
You can never be sure what can happen on the road, so be prepared with a flashlight, flare, booster cable, washer fluid, and first aid kit. If it is winter, you should drive more cautiously.

5. Program your GPS before setting out to drive.
Regardless of the route that you choose to take – an alternate route or a direct path, using the GPS will help you to slow down or turn around before you reach a bottleneck.

6. Food & water.
Pack enough food, water and do not forget about some music or any other forms of entertainment. In case you happen to be stuck in heavy traffic, you and your passengers will have something to eat and drink.

7. Pack your car the right way.
Place your baggage in their right places so they are not covering your vision. Remember you are driving for a long journey, so avoid the blind spots on your car.

8. Break tour journey.
Last of the eight tips for safe driving during the summer is to take breaks. Driving is tiring. Taking a break will allow you to stretch your legs, freshen up, have some snacks, and re-adjust your vision.

You can follow the above eight tips for safe driving during the summer holiday for any of your travel journeys not just summer travel.

If, while you’re on holiday, you are looking to hire a vehicle, please contact us over the phone on +44 (0)113 880 0748 or via email on sales@thealternativeagency.co.uk