Self-drive rentals become more popular in India

In the past, self-drive car rentals were all but non-existent in India, with the vast majority of car hire firms offering chauffeured transportation solutions instead. The problem with this transportation solution, however, was that the chauffeured rental industry was essentially unregulated, the driving credentials of chauffeurs were not always confirmed and as such, traffic violations were often part of the business, risking the safety of passengers. Yet more recently, self-drive rentals—which have long served as the staple of the car hire industry—are gradually taking off in India, in spite of relatively poor infrastructure, confusing road signs and severely congested city streets.

Tourists interested in renting a self-drive vehicle in India are well advised to do so primarily if they are planning on travelling from one city to another. In these cases a car rental is often the most economical, comfortable and effective form of transportation available in India. In most cases, larger car hire firms only have outlets in India’s most populous cities, so cars will have to be rented from these points.

Self-drive rentals were first introduced to India in 1988, although the business actually only began to pick up a couple of years ago, when international car hire giants recognized that the India subcontinent represented an opportunity for the sort of dynamic growth not normally available anywhere in the Western world. Clients interested in hiring a car in India, however, should keep in mind that government regulations can be quite strict, in terms of determining eligibility for the self-drive option. For example, renters must have at least one year of driving experience under their belt.