[呠呠Car Rental Classroom] 5 important things to note when renting a new brand P car!
As a new licensed driver (P license) , if you plan to rent a car for practice or self-driving in Hong Kong, it is very important to choose the right car rental plan and car model. The following will explain the key points of selection from multiple perspectives such as practicality, legality, safety, and economy :
1. Confirm whether the car rental company accepts P plates
- Not all car rental companies accept P-licensed drivers .<br>Many large car rental chains (such as AVIS, Hertz, Budget, etc.) only accept drivers who have held a full license for more than one year.
- Find a car rental company designed specifically for P-licensees/newbies <br>There are some small or local car rental companies on the market (such as "newbie car rental", "P-license car rental", "self-taught car rental", etc.) that specialize in accepting new licensees, or even use P-licensees as their main source of customers.
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Check the car rental terms in advance <br>Understand clearly:
- Minimum driving age requirement
- Is there any additional charge (P license surcharge/insurance premium)?
2. Car model selection: Smaller cars preferred
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For practice or daily transportation, a small car (Hatchback/small car) is preferred
Such as: Toyota Vitz/Yaris, Honda Fit/Jazz, Mazda2, Suzuki Swift - Short body, easy to maneuver and easy to park
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Avoid SUVs, large RVs, seven-passenger cars, and cargo vans.
The car is large, with many blind spots, which can easily put pressure on new drivers
3. Automatic transmission, simple operation
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Most beginners use automatic transmission (AT)
Easier to focus on the road and traffic conditions - If you are taking the automatic transmission license test, you cannot drive a manual transmission car (MT)
4. Complete safety equipment
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Basic safety requirements
- Dual airbags
- ABS anti-lock brake
- Vehicle stability system (better if available)
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Parking sensor, reversing camera
- Good for novices to park and reverse safely
5. Understand the insurance details
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Comprehensive Insurance
Including third party liability and vehicle damage -
Find out your deductible
Rental car companies usually set a "deductible", which is the first few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars of expenses that the driver needs to bear in the event of an accident (e.g. $8,000-$20,000). -
Some companies offer additional insurance (Excess Waiver)
Pay more rent, and your losses will be greatly reduced when something goes wrong
6. Price and lease period
- P-license/novice car rental is usually more expensive than ordinary drivers
- Compare prices and services of several companies
- Is there a minimum rental period requirement? (e.g. at least one day/two days)
- Is short-term/long-term rental possible?
7. Check vehicle status and documents
- When picking up the car, carefully check whether the body, tires, and glass are damaged. It is best to take photos for record.
- Check that the fuel level, air conditioning, lights, brakes, etc. are functioning normally.
- Request a rental agreement, a copy of your insurance documents, and your vehicle registration certificate
8. Drive legally and in compliance with regulations, and pay attention to P-plate restrictions
- A "P" plate must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle
- Do not violate novice restrictions (e.g., cannot drive a van, cannot tow a trailer, cannot exceed the speed limit, etc.)
- Do not drink and drive, do not overload passengers
- Pay attention to the return deadline to avoid late return fines
9. Practical functions & beginner-friendly
- Parking sensor/reversing camera/360-degree imaging is better
- Air conditioning works well and seats are easy to adjust
- Navigation or mobile phone holder (convenient for using GPS)
- If you need to practice on long distances or highways, choose a car with cruise control function for easier adaptation.
10. Recommendation Process
- Search and compare different P-brand car rental companies online
- Check car model, price, insurance and deductible
- Make an appointment and personally view and test drive the car
- Before signing the contract, clearly understand all the car rental terms and charges
summary
New Brand P Car Rental Key Points
- Find a car rental company that accepts P licenses for beginners
- Pick-up truck, automatic transmission, complete with basic safety equipment
- Find out the insurance deductible and terms
- Do a thorough inspection when picking up or returning the car, and drive legally with a P plate
