Requirements for a Private Car Hire in Uganda

What are the requirements for hiring a car in Uganda? Before you hire a private car for a safari or business trip in Uganda, first, you should have an idea on the essential requirements to carry. The essential requirements for private car hire in Uganda encompass the acceptable age limits, identification, and driving documents. Having the right requirements for private car hire in Uganda allows you to secure great rental car deals with a trusted car hire company such as Maranatha Tours and Travel. Below is a complete breakdown of the essential requirements to have for you to hire a car in Uganda.

What is required to hire a private Car in Uganda

Visitors’ Identification

A visitor’s identification is one of the essential requirements for you to hire a private car in Uganda. Usually, the car hire company can ask you to present copies of your national identification card. This is to help the company capture your details in order to secure the rental car.

Valid driver’s license

Visitors should have a valid driver’s license. The validity should extend for about 2 years. This is one of the useful requirements for private car hire in Uganda. This applies to visitors interested in renting a car for self-drive tours in Uganda –the Pearl of Africa.

International Driving Permit –IDP

Another important requirement to have for you to rent a private car in Uganda is a valid international driving permit. A visitor with a driver’s license in different language other than English requires an international driving permit to be able to hire a car for his/her road trip in Uganda.

Valid passports

You should have a valid passport, which is to serve as proof of identity. A copy of your scanned passport will be required for you to book a rental car in Uganda. Companies use passports to capture your details and also to ensure that you fall under the right age limit to drive a car, as per the country’s driving rules and regulations.

Age limit & experience

The acceptable age limit for most car hire companies in Uganda falls around 23 years. Anyone above 23 can be allowed to hire a private car and drive it on Ugandan roads. The age limit may vary depending on the car hire service provider. Inquiring more from the car rental company before hiring a car is essential.

Visitors’ financial & booking requirements

To show commitment to secure your ride, a certain percentage must be deposited. Inquire from your car hire company the amount you need to pay to reserve a vehicle for your road trip in Uganda. The amount or percentage a visitor must deposit varies depending on the car rental company’s policy.

Payments –to secure a rental car, you must have cleared the rental fee. The car hire fee often covers local taxes and other charges as stated in the car hire agreement.

The terms and conditions/rental agreements

Before you hire a car, you must review the company’s rental agreement. Know the company’s delayed returns policy, mileage, fuel, and damage policy. The fuel policy differs from company to company. Some companies do a pre-paid full tank, while others give a car on an empty tank. It is essential to understand the actual fuel policy to make your planning process easier.

Essential travel insurance

The car hire company you intend to rent a car from should have its cars insured. Avoid renting a car with a company whose cars have not been insured. Luckily, if you are renting a car through a reliable car hire service provider like Maranatha Tours and Travel, you can rest assured of a comfortable car with comprehensive insurance coverage.

Cross-border car hire requirements

Visitors who may prefer extending their journeys to other destinations like Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania must know the essential requirements. Terms and conditions apply for border crossing and your company can assist with all the necessary paperwork to enable you enjoy a smooth travel. If you plan to cross the borders using a private car hire, then you should have all the essential border clearance documents, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, proof of insurance cover, and a driver’s license.

Understand the driving rules/laws in Uganda.

If you plan to rent a car in Uganda for road trips, you should thoroughly review the stipulated driving rules and regulations. The driving laws/rules in Uganda include, among others;

1. As you drive, ensure that you keep left. Driving on the left side still remains an ancient British model. If it is your first time visiting Uganda and you want to embark on a self-drive tour, then you may consider practicing to familiarize yourself with the driving format.
2. Observe the stated speed limits on the road. The different speed limits apply to various routes, including urban areas, and when you are on gravel routes. But the common driving speed limit is usually 50km/h for urban centres and 100km/h for highway travel.
3. Avoid at all costs the use of a cell phone while driving. This is highly prohibited, and when caught by the traffic policy, you can be charged. If you have an urgent call to receive, you can consider parking aside and finish any business about it, then proceed driving to your destination.
4. The seat belts should be on at all times. As soon as you enter the vehicle, ensure that you put on the seat belts. Wearing seat belts isn’t criminal but rather a safety measure for you on the road.
5. Use of drugs/alcohol should be avoided at all times. When you get caught driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol, you can be penalized.
6. Carry the necessary documents for your road trip. The checklist of essential documents to have include a driver’s license, an international driving permit, and it should be translated into English.
7. When overtaking, ensure that you do it on the right-hand side. Avoid overtaking another car on corners, and make use of the road signs to know if where you intend to overtake another driver isn’t around the corner.
8. Respect the driving speed limits in the National Parks, which usually fall around 30-40 km/h. Ensure that you keep a slow speed limit to protect wildlife. Failure to respect the park’s rules may result in penalties or fines, which you may not have planned for.

Conclusion: having essential requirements for private car hire in Uganda is a must for you to secure a means for your road trip. Contact us for guidance and book your rental car with ease and embark on a Uganda safari stress free.