Leiebil Norge – 4 Essential Information for Car Rental in Norway
Public transportation, carpooling, taxis, use of personal vehicles, and private shuttle services are alternatives to car rental services. However, patronizing car rental companies may be the smartest choice for certain people and several reasons. Some of the reasons why it may be considered the smartest choice include the following:
- Flexibility & Freedom
- Affordability
- Vehicle Preference
- Fuel Efficiency
- Maintenance & Repairs
- Convenience
- Privacy
Frankly, the list is a lot more than you see above. However, making the most of these services requires knowledge of certain things. In other words, people who need these services in Norway are better off with a leiebilguiden Norge, which is the Norwegian for Car Rental Guide in Norway. This ensures that they are not caught unawares and make informed decisions.
Fortunately, this article comes through for such people as some essential relevant information will be shared here. So, keep reading to find out more.
Requirements for Patronizing Car Rental Services in Norway
These services cannot be offered to just about anyone who can afford them. Other requirements have to be met and they include the following:
Age Requirement
There are external and internal policies that affect age requirements. By external policies, we mean general/nationwide regulations and it is that the person is 19 years old, at least.
However, 19 years does not work for some companies as they would only offer their services to people older. As a result, some insist on their customers being 25 years old, at least.
Generally speaking, most rental companies are more cautious when it comes to offering their services to young people. For the sake of clarity, these are people under 25 years old.
As a result, it is not unlike these companies to charge additional fees, known as (the young driver) surcharge when young drivers rent cars. By the way, this surcharge is usually a fixed amount that is charged every day the vehicle remains with such a customer.
Driver’s License
Customers need to provide a valid driver’s license. Considering that tourists are also entitled to use these services, this license does not have to be issued by the pertinent Norwegian authority. It just has to be a valid one from the customer’s home country.
However, there could be issues if the license in question is not in a language that is widely recognized. There would be a need to secure and produce what is known as an IDP (International Driving Permit) if this is the case.
Credit Card
Debit cards are usually not accepted as deposit and payment solutions for these services. Rather, credit cards are required as unforeseen payments are more guaranteed with credit cards.
Booking for Car Rental Services in Norway
It is strongly advised that customers book as early as possible. There are cost-saving benefits to doing so. However, the urge to book well in advance is not limited to the cost-saving benefits alone.
It is also because these companies have their peak seasons, including peak tourist periods. As a result, some of them may be stretched beyond their limit and unable to attend to late-call orders. On the whole, booking well in advance ensures that you are covered in terms of service availability and getting the best rates.
These companies may have insurance coverage that covers customers who patronize them in certain ways. However, the extent of liability coverage is usually basic.
This is why it is recommended that customers research other liability coverage plans that they have and how they may offer insurance coverage while using these services. For example, some credit cardholders may have insurance coverage that extends to when they use car rental services. Of course, this is as long as they use their credit card as a payment solution.
Driving in Norway for Car Rental Company Customers
There are two aspects of driving in Norway that customers of these companies need to be aware of. The first has to do with knowledge of road conditions and the second is about knowledge of traffic rules.
Road Conditions
The Norwegian authorities in charge of road construction and maintenance have done a good job, for the most part. This is considering the state of most Norwegian highways, as well as rural and urban roads.
However, you must understand that nature usually takes its course, and this should inform how you drive on these roads, especially at certain periods. For example, roads in mountainous and rural locations can be quite windy. Furthermore, some of them can be unusually narrow, especially for tourists.
You should also know that this Scandinavian country can get very cold. This is especially true for parts within and around the interior highlands. Winter in these places and some other parts of the country can make driving a very challenging task.
As a result, it is important to drive with winter tires, especially from around the last quarter of a year to the second quarter of the next. This significantly increases the chances of driving safely within Norway.
Traffic Rules
There are a couple of traffic rules to be adhered to. Adherence to them is both for the sake of safety and to avoid punitive measures that apply if/when they are violated. Some of these rules include the following:
Use of Headlights at All Times When Driving
This includes during the day, which may seem strange for several tourists. Regardless, this is how things operate here.
Speed Limits
You cannot just use the acceleration pedal as you so wish in Norway. There are speed limits, and they are usually defined by the kind of road that you drive through. The speed limits are mostly as follows:
- Highways are usually between 90 – 110 kilometers per hour.
- Urban areas are usually around 50 kilometers per hour.
- Rural areas are usually around 80 kilometers per hour.
However, all of these are still subject to local laws. So, be always mindful of what applies in every destination that you find yourself.
Seat Belts
Every vehicle occupant has to use a seat belt while on the road. This rule applies to the passengers, as much as it does to drivers.
Right-Hand Driving
Most countries in Europe and across the globe operate a right-hand driving system. This implies that driving happens on the right side of the road; with the driver’s seat usually stationed on the left side of the vehicle.
The same applies to Norway, which is why many tourists do not have a problem with this. However, some countries operate a left-hand driving system. Notable examples include:
- United Kingdom
- India
- New Zealand
- Australia
- South Africa
- Japan
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Ireland
- Thailand
Tourists from these places have to be especially mindful of how the driving system works in Norway.
Parking
Finding parking spaces can be quite challenging in cities. Furthermore, it can even be expensive. Local parking laws should be adhered to, and this includes only parking in marked spots that are designated for this purpose.
Ferries & Toll Roads
Ferries are necessary if you have to go through fjords, which are quite common here. There are charges for using ferry services for transporting vehicles across water bodies, such as fjords. You can watch this video if you would like to know more about fjords in Norway.
There are also several toll bridges and roads in the country, and you would be charged for driving through them. This mostly happens in an automated manner.
Cost of Using Car Rental Services in Norway
Using car rental services can be cheaper, as well as more expensive than some other alternatives. It all depends on some cost-influencing factors and whether/how much they affect you. Against this backdrop, some of the things that influence the cost of using car rental services in Norway include the following:
Fuel
The cost of fueling a vehicle in Norway is expensive, especially when compared to the cost in many other parts of the world. However, it is good to know that some of these companies offer electric vehicles, which can significantly reduce the cost of using these services.
Rental Rate
The actual cost of renting these vehicles is determined by several things, including:
- Vehicle Type
- Rental Duration
- Season
- Additional Fees – Such as surcharge, additional drivers, one-way rentals, child seats, and GPS features
Of course, some companies in this line of business offer more competitive rates than others. So, this should be taken into account when searching for car rental companies.
Conclusion
You need more than just funds for using car rental services in Norway. You need to be aware of certain essentials, some of which have been discussed in this article. You should therefore make the right decisions as it concerns using these services in light of the details shared here.