Do you want to know how to plan a car road trip in India? If yes, find out this list of Top 10 tips for planning a car road trip across India.
Taking a road trip is no joke, maybe movies have convinced you otherwise. But taking a road trip needs careful planning and look around some best tips for travelers from experts. Romancing with the idea of an impromptu road trip is fine as long as you are just heading out within a 100km radius.
Otherwise, it would be best if you stacked up on a few essentials. Longer road trips that could last a few days requires adequate planning. Here are the top 10 things to keep in handy when planning your next road trip across India.
Top 10 Tips for Planning a Car Road Trip across India
10. Water Cans and Bottles
Keeping hydrated yourself is absolutely essential lest you want to be taking a trip to the nearest hospital rather than your dream destination. And drinking safe and clean water cannot be stressed enough. It’s best to stock up on enough water bottles or a large water can. Replenish whenever possible. No water is too much water. So, this is one of the most important considerations while you are planning a car road trip across India.
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9. Portable Chargers
When you’re outside especially on a long journey, your phone becomes your best friend and lifeline. Moreover, your phone will be juggling the roles of being the DJ, the GPS Navigator, your lifeline to home, etc. The mounting pressure can take a toll on the battery of your phone. Hence always have portable charging devices and USB cables on the backup. Besides that, make sure your phone has the following best-traveling apps that make travel easier. Never ever forget while you are going on any long car road trip.
8. Hand Sanitisers, Mask & Gloves
COVID-19 has made sanitizer, mask, & glove a norm. It is one of the go-to products that you must never step out of your home with. It will also help you in icky situations where you might not have water or hand wash products nearby. So, keep this safety kit, if you are planning a car road trip across India.
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7. Loose Cash
Spare changes can come in handy to breeze through toll plazas or buy something from a local tea shop that might not have the luxury of having a swiping machine or other money transfer apps. Scrambling to get your credit card at the toll plaza can invite the wrath of drivers queuing up behind you. So, keep some hard cash just in case you need it on your trip.
6. First Aid Kit
You would be having a first aid kit stashed away in the corner of your glovebox. It’s time to dust it off, throw away the outdated items and replenish it with the latest items. While you replenish the item keep in mind that you might find yourself in a place where there would not be any drug stores or hospitals nearby. Here are the necessary things you must have in your First Aid Kit.
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- Bandages, band-aids, and gauze
- Necessary medicines for travelers like headache, fever, cold, loose motion, etc.
- Cotton
- Antiseptic
- Glucose
- Paracetamol
- Doctors Tape
- Scissors
You must also learn how, when, and where to use it. Help your fellow passengers or anyone on the road that has met with an accident.
5. Car Insurance
Car insurance policy is another mandatory document to have while going on a road trip. It should also be a valid one that hasn’t been expired. If you have the policy in a PDF format, take printouts, have multiple copies and keep them with you.
If you are renting out a car for your trip, then ensure the car insurance document is in place before you set out. But besides being an important document to have with you at all times, a car insurance policy can cover any third-party liabilities in the event of an accident. That is, if you cause damage to another person’s property or vehicle, or if you cause bodily injury or death to them, then an insurance policy will help you cover for the liabilities associated with it. Besides that, it will also cover damages caused to your own vehicle depending on the policy you have taken.
4. Emergency Car Kit & Spare Tyre
Possibly one that should go hand-in-hand with the First-Aid kit, the Emergency car kit, is in a way your car’s first aid. You can either choose to get stranded midway or learn to use an emergency car kit and get going with your trip. Not to mention you can even help out a stranded co-passenger and save their day. An emergency car kit would include the following things:
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- Fire extinguisher
- Jumpstarters and cables
- Tow ropes
- Portable car charger
- Utility tools
- Duct tape
- Flashlight
A flat Tyre could be the grim reaper to your well-laid plans. Have a flat Tyre in the back of your trunk and most importantly, learn how to change a flat Tyre. A spare Tyre along will not get the job done. Have a car jack to prop your vehicle up, wheel wedges, and repair kit as well to change the flat Tyre.
3. PUC certificate
PUC Certificate is nothing but Pollution Under Control Certificate is another crucial documents along with the driver’s license, registration certificate, and car insurance policy, that you must have with you all the time.
If you don’t have a PUC certificate get one from an authorized petrol pump or licensed auto emission testing centers or standalone emission testing centers.
2. Drivers Licence
Driving without a valid Driver’s license is illegal. Have a valid license that is not beyond or nearing the expiry date. Do not travel with just a learner’s license as well. Have multiple copies of this original document and store it in your car and luggage.
India’s government has bumped up the penalty for driving without a license from Rs.500 to Rs.5000. To be on the safe side, you can store your license information in DigiLocker or mParivahan app. DigiLocker is government authorized dedicated cloud storage space where you can store driving license, Voter ID, and school certificate.
1. Car Registration Certificate
Registration Certificate is like the identity card for your car. Without this, there is no proving the fact that you are riding an illegal or stolen vehicle. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a registration certificate in India. It will detail the registration number, owner details, make, and model of the vehicle, chassis engine number, seating capacity, etc.
So, make sure you have this original document with you and a few backup copies as well. If you are renting out a car registration certificate is a must-have document. So, don’t forget to carry a proper car registration certificate while going on a car road trip across India.
