Due to the high influx of travelers into Rwanda, car hire services are in high demand. Many people hire cars for different reasons like visiting the different star tourist attractions of Rwanda, visiting family and Rwanda, business conferences, and global or regional political events or meetings. Therefore, if you are planning to hire a car in Rwanda in the near future, there are certain things you need to learn before you make your booking.
1. Only operates in East Africa
Most car hire companies in Rwanda cannot let you drive the vehicle out of the East African countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Burundi). These are the areas of
jurisdiction allowed by most car rental providers to traverse with their vehicles. More to
that you will have to pay COMESA fees when crossing the car to other borders of the east
African countries.
2. Know about the Insurance Policy
Rental car providers insure their vehicles hired out their clients. The type of insurance
normally offered is comprehensive insurance which covers collision damage waiver and
third party. This has some limitations for instance if you are at fault for the accident, you will pay for the damages. The policies in the insurance are always stipulated in the car rental contract given to you while hiring a car.
3. Must be in possession of a Driver’s License
Rwanda is a law-asserting country; it is under the law that anyone to gets on the wheels he/she is supposed to have a valid driver’s license. There is no way a car hire dealer will rent you a vehicle minus presenting your original and valid driver’s license. The driver’s License acts as proof that you are eligible to drive a vehicle. The international driver’s license is most preferable but even your national driver’s license can work.
4.Full payment of the car hire service
Before you set off for your journey, full payment of the car hire fees must be made to the
provider. The payment can either be done by cash or electronically. At the meeting with the car rental provider, you are asked to make the payment and then the car is given to you. More to that when making the booking, you have to make an initial deposit to act as confirmation leverage.
5. Minimum Age Limit of driving in Rwanda
the driving age in Rwanda is 21 years and this also implies that the car rental companies
only allow 21 years and above to rent cars from them. you will always be asked to present
out your national identity card or passport to know your age.
6. Read the car rental agreement
there is always a black and white paper document presented to the hirer by the rental
company. This contains the terms and conditions of renting the car. The hirer is advised to
look at thorough and ask where he/she has not understood. The hirer must know any
violation of any clause in this agreement is likely to lead to a fine. Read it and follow every
clause to the dot.
7. Traffic Rules and regulations
Rwanda operates on European standard traffic laws and this is why they drive on the right
side of the road as opposed to most of the African countries. However, there are some traffic laws that are only customised when driving in Rwanda for example the maximum speed of driving on highways is 60kms and 30kms in the urban areas. As a traveler, you will have to seek information about the driving rules and regulations from your car hire provider.
8. Fringe Charges
The popular extra charges on the car hire services in Rwanda are the delivery and pick up fees of the vehicle at the hirer’s preferred point (airport or hotel). Some of the car rental
companies ask for a small fee of about 50$ dollar for the pickup and drop off of the rental
car.
