If you're not stay in Ireland for a while and want to rent a van, vans rental is ideal if you travel from one city to another. You may find yourself driving on some rough and uneven roads as you drive from Dublin and further south in the County of Cork, a few tips should make your trip easier.

Picking Up Your Van

If you have been planning your trip for a while then it's likely that you may also have booked your vans rental before you travel. It's great to know that you can travel straight to the rental company to pick up your vehicle. If you normally drive a car then a van may take a bit of getting used to, if only for its extra size. Make sure that you read all the documentation carefully so that you know what you are covered for in the unlikely event of an accident. It's a good idea to let the company's attendant talk you through the vehicle and perhaps give you some idea of what might be new to you. Just as with any journey you might make, check that you have plenty of petrol in the tank before you take off. Some companies rent their vehicles out with a full tank of petrol while others do not, so check that out before you drive off.

Before you leave the rental company's grounds, make sure that the mirrors are well positioned for you to have the best possible view from both sides. There is probably no rear window, so you have to be twice as vigilant with the wing mirrors. You probably have an tinier sorted and accommodation booked already but it is a good idea to stop and get a local map whenever you enter a new area. Some parts of Ireland are not that easy to get around if you are new to it, so don't be afraid to stop and ask the locals for advice. Take note of weather forecasts on the radio, if wet weather is predicted then you should be more careful than usual when you are driving a strange vehicle along unfamiliar terrain.

Keep a close eye out for low bridges and narrow roads especially as you are driving a van. Make sure that you know the height of the vehicle before you leave the van hire company and you won't make the mistake of trying to drive under a bridge without enough headroom. Drive at a safe, steady speed, and be especially careful when driving through rural areas. There is always the chance, with any rural area, that there could be animals straying across the road.

Take extra care when driving along winding roads, you may be able to take a bend sharply in your car, but you have to take a more measured approach in a van because of the extra size and weight. If you have a passenger and you need to reverse into a hotel car park, then have the passenger get out and guide you as the van will likely have more blind spots than your car. Be sensible when driving a rental van and you should have an enjoyable trip in the Republic of Ireland.

by Donal O Sullivan

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