Self-driving tours in the United States are a very good choice, but if you choose to rent an RV for a self-driving tour, you will definitely find it more interesting. However, there are many self-driving tours for renting an RV and ordinary self-driving tours. It’s different, let’s go and take a look now. Are you qualified to drive?
1. Chinese driver’s licenses can also be used
In China, there are differences in driver’s licenses depending on the type of car (such as C1, A1), but There is no such distinction in the United States. As long as you have a driver's license, you can drive a RV without any problem. If it's a trailer, it's no problem in most cases (commercial use is another matter). Therefore, with a Chinese driver's license, you can drive in most states in the United States for 3 months. If you stay for more than 3 months, you should apply for a valid driver's license in the state where you are located according to the law.
2. "International Driver's License"? Impossible!
However, in order to facilitate the inspection by the US police, we also need to prepare a translation of our driver's license. It has no legal effect and relies on a valid Chinese driver's license, which can only be used together with the driver's license. At present, some institutions on the market exaggerate and claim that they can apply for international driver's licenses, even in multiple languages, for 3, 5 and 10 years, with fees ranging from 300, 500, and 800. I want to tell you seriously: At present, there is absolutely no such thing as an international driver's license for Chinese people driving overseas, because we have not yet joined the "United Nations Convention on Road Traffic", so the so-called "international driver's license" is on the market, whether it is paper or electronic. They are just translations of a Chinese driver's license and have no legal effect.
Tips:
International Driving Permit (International Driving
Permit) popular science: The United Nations has established a "United Nations Convention on Road Traffic". Countries that have joined the convention can use the International Driving Permit to (IDP) together with your home country’s driver’s license for self-driving in other countries. But what the United Nations did not expect was that the IDP it invented has become a way for many speculators to make money today. Some speculators use various names such as "International Automobile Association" and "International Automobile Club" to sell international driving licenses claimed to be issued with "authorization" by the United Nations. However, the United Nations itself does not have the authority to issue IDPs, nor does it have the authority to override sovereign states to "authorize" any agency to issue an international driver's license. The institutions that can issue international driver's licenses in a contracting country are authorized by the country's legal authority:
For example, there are only two institutions in the United States authorized by the U.S. State Department (the legal authority of the contracting party) to issue international driver's licenses: American Automobile Association and National Automobile Club; The agency that issues international driver's licenses in Canada is CAA...
3. There are also age restrictions for driving an RV
In most overseas countries and cities, the minimum age for renters is 21 to 25 years old No wait. The minimum age limit is 25 years old in North America and 23 years old in Europe. Some netizens said that they can successfully rent a car and drive when they are 18 or 19 years old, but they have to pay an underage fee (Underage
Fee or YoungDriver
Surcharge), which usually costs more than 20 US dollars or more per day. EUR. Moreover, if you have an accident, you will not be covered by legal insurance, and you will be fined if caught by the police.
4. Please register additional drivers
If a car is driven by multiple people, all drivers need to register, and they must go to the car rental site to confirm, issue their relevant documents and Sign the car rental contract. Because once an unregistered person drives the car and is involved in an accident, it is not protected by insurance.
The cost of an additional driver depends on the country. It is free in California, other states range from 3 to 13 US dollars per person per day, and the UK generally costs 9 pounds per day. How difficult is it to drive an RV
Those who have experience driving a large car probably have no problem, but if you have never driven a car other than a sedan, you do need to be careful. After all, the size, power, and flexibility of a car are quite different from that of a small car.
When moving forward, big cars and small cars are about the same size. But pay attention to the width of the car. You can usually sit in the driving position and lock the two reference points on the windshield in front of the car that exactly correspond to the width of the car.
When turning, pay special attention to the length of the vehicle body. It is best to wait until the rear wheel of the car passes the position where it is most likely to be pressed before making a sharp turn. At the same time, you also need to pay attention to the tail. Because the rear overhang of a RV is usually relatively long, it will be swept out to the outside of the steering wheel when turning sharply. In short, it is safer to leave more margin than when driving a small car.
When crossing tunnels or high bridges, pay attention to the vehicle height. You don’t need to worry about height when driving a car, but you must pay attention when driving an RV. Many bridges, tunnels or parking lots have limited heights. You need to know the height of your car. RVs are generally prohibited in tunnels. Especially in Manhattan, New York, if your RV gets stuck in a bridge, it will be very embarrassing and you will need to pay a very high fine.
When parking, please park in a fixed parking space. Do not park in areas with wheelchair signs, and do not park on scratches; and pay attention to the connection location of the water and electricity system. How to choose a car rental company
North America is a vast continent with many self-driving destinations, so you must choose an agency with strong strength, a large number of RVs, and strong controllability of campsites. Cruise is recommended
America is the largest RV rental company in North America. It has more than 100 car rental stores in the United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. It is very convenient to pick up and return a car. There are also travelers who choose RVs from other companies, such as Star
RV, but there are fewer stores. They are only in a few cities on the West Coast such as San Francisco, Seattle, and Los Angeles, and the pickup and return of the vehicles are relatively restricted.
You can check the car models on the official website: /buy/buyers_resources/faqs.aspx
Self-driving in Australia: The routes are relatively concentrated, usually on the east coast and southeast coast. The more famous RV rental is Apollo , there are 10 car pickup and return stores in Australia. Official website: /
Self-driving European RV: After locking the country, avoid urban areas and go to destinations with beautiful surrounding scenery for self-driving. We recommend Motorhome Republic, which has multiple stores in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, etc., and houses many RV brands, including Cruise, Apollo, Birtz, etc.
For detailed car models, please check the official website: /Be careful when choosing companions
1. Family or good friends
It is recommended to choose family members, or people who are very familiar with each other friends as a unit. Because I choose to drive in an RV because of privacy, spontaneity, and novelty... but the space and scope of activities are also limited. Everyone eats, drinks and lives together every day, which may last for more than ten days. Moreover, the bed types in the RV are different, ranging from comfortable large beds to simple sofa beds. If the roommates are at odds due to uneven bed sharing, it will inevitably affect the mood of the trip.
2. It is necessary to find out the interests and physical strength of teammates.
Especially in national parks that are dominated by natural landscapes, the time and content of activities must be communicated with teammates in advance. Because it is likely that you will need to hike for a long time to enjoy the most beautiful scenery, you must consider the physical fitness and psychological expectations of all participants. If you are unable to go or give up halfway due to lack of physical strength and other reasons, then you will no longer be able to see the itinerary planned in advance and the beautiful scenery that others have seen. Model
RVs suitable for short-term vacations are generally self-propelled, which means the house is directly mounted on the wheels. The house and the car are integrated into one, making it easier to drive. According to the number of beds in the car, it is divided into 3-person, 5-person, and 7-person RVs. Guests must choose the most suitable car model based on the number of travelers and their own requirements for living and activity space. Moreover, the number of vehicles is tight during the peak season, and it is generally difficult to change the vehicle model that has been reserved.
The car is divided into driving area, leisure area, kitchen, refrigerator, toilet, shower room and bed according to functions. At night, the bed above the driving area can be put down, and the seats in the leisure room can be adjusted into beds. , all have two double beds and one single bed, suitable for 5 people.
Choose a campsite
When traveling by RV in a self-driving car, choose a campsite along the way, just like choosing a hotel when traveling independently. You must choose carefully and check more information and ask questions if you have any questions. Although in most people's minds, sewage, drainage, power supply, and water supply systems should be the most basic facilities of a camp. However, due to the restrictions of the destination and local environment,
the levels are also divided into original type, basic type, mid-range comfortable type, luxury resort type, etc. For example, in some national parks or areas near the coastline, in order to protect the local ecological environment, sewage discharge is not allowed. Therefore, in countries like the United States, where self-driving is popular, although there are more than 20,000 campsites, popular campsites need to be booked six months or even a year in advance.
Determinable time factors: Make sure the opening hours of the campground are within your planned travel time, because some campsites are open intermittently due to seasonal restrictions.
Camp facilities factors: whether tables, chairs, barbecue grills and other facilities are provided; whether there is an independent sewage and drainage system, whether there are independent domestic water connections and electricity connections, or whether it is a designated centralized location in the camp; There is wireless network; whether there are public bathing or laundry facilities; whether surrounding entertainment activities are provided, such as horse riding and archery, fishing and boating, cycling and hiking, etc.; if it also includes other entertainment facilities, it will be a more luxurious camp. Such as swimming pools, sports fields, fitness facilities, etc.
Geographic location factors: The distance between two campsites must ensure that the RV can reach the next campground in time for supplies after driving for a day; there is also the distance to the city, the distance to the airport, and the distance to famous attractions. Distance, if you take the national park line, check to see if it is within the park...
Environmental factors: There are lakeside, seaside, forest, mountain, etc. car pick-up and return services
1. A car rental deposit needs to be paid on-site
What you need to know in advance is that current RV companies require a deposit to be paid on-site. Generally, credit cards freeze US$1,000~1,500. If the vehicle is damaged in any way during the rental period, the deposit will be automatically deducted. Unless you purchase full insurance when renting a car, car rental companies generally do not provide it. Because there is no need to bear the risk of compensation after having full insurance, many people do not pay special attention to the use of the vehicle during driving and often damage the vehicle.
2. The additional driver needs to register on site
The main driver and additional driver must go to the counter together when booking, and bring the confirmation letter, passport, driver's license and translation.
3. Baby seats must be purchased by yourself
Most car rental companies do not provide baby seats, so baby seats are required (generally for children under 7 to 8 years old, some areas are more relaxed Suitable for children under 4 years old), need to purchase by yourself.
4. Make sure the fuel tank is full
Under normal circumstances, the fuel tank, water tank, and battery are full when you pick up the car. Make sure they are full when you return the car, otherwise it will Deduct fines for high gas bills. Observe the pick-up and return time
The pick-up and return time is very important
Car pick-up time: usually 1pm-4pm
Car return time : Generally between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
If you return the car after the specified return time, the corresponding fee will be deducted. If you want more time, it is recommended to book the early bird package, and you can pick up the car from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. , return the car before 15:00, and we will also provide pick-up and drop-off services from hotels near the airport. 30-minute training
When you pick up the car, the RV rental company will provide about 30 minutes of training. You will learn from the demonstration machine video on basic operations such as water connection, electricity connection, and drainage of the RV. Be sure to listen carefully. Please read the "RV Manual" given by the rental company carefully and keep it carefully in case of emergency. Ancillary supplies
When booking an RV, you will generally choose an unlimited mileage package. The package provides bed sheets and bedding, and the quantity must be confirmed on the spot. If you forget to check, you sign hastily, and then go back to the car rental company to look for it after driving out, which will be very troublesome. In addition, if you are not fluent in English, unnecessary disputes will inevitably arise.
The tableware and kitchen supplies package is not directly included. You can rent extra according to your personal needs. You must also check on the spot whether it is complete and confirm the type and quantity of the item. There is no guarantee that foreigners can prepare it for you without any mistakes. complete. Highway signs
Chinese drivers must be familiar with American traffic signs before traveling, because many of them are different from those in China, and the requirements are more stringent. In particular, STOP identification must be paid attention to.
1. The red octagonal "stop" sign: STOP
It is the most common and important sign for driving in the United States. Traffic regulations stipulate that any vehicle driving to a place with a STOP sign must brake in front of the sign and come to a complete stop (full
stop). Even if there is no one around, you must look left and right. Passage is allowed only after it is safe. If the car in front of you stops and starts again, it does not mean that you can follow it. You also need to stop and observe before passing. If there are cars in each direction, they must pass through alternately in the order they arrive at the intersection, not in the order they started queuing up.
The most common places: branch roads, main roads and intersections without traffic lights in all directions, among which you can often see them in residential areas
The most common image: often accompanied by the big STOP sign There is a line of small words
"4-WAY or ALLWAY" means "stop in all directions"
"OppositeTrafficDoesNotStop" means "there is no STOP on the opposite side"
"STOPExceptRightTurn" also has prompts such as "Turn right and avoid STOP"
So it is necessary to stop and observe the access rights in other directions and pass in order.
2. CARPOOL with multiple passengers
means: there are at least two people in the vehicle driving in this lane, including the driver and child.
Most common place: the leftmost lane of most highways
Note: If there is only one person in the car, do not go in this area. If you are discovered by the police, you will be fined. The amount can be up to $341.
3. Rectangular "pedestrian passing" PEDXING
PEDESTRIAN
The abbreviation of CROSSING, which is "pedestrian passing". Americans like abbreviations, so they use CROSS directly. Represented by an
4. Red inverted triangle slows down SPEEDamp; LIMIT
Usually a red thick border, which means slowing down and preparing to stop. Sometimes used in conjunction with other icons to indicate that slowing down is due to sidewalks, obstacles, or other reasons ahead. Accommodation experience
The self-driving routes are all national park series, with mountains and green waters, usually beautiful scenery along the way, but also accompanied by remoteness along the way. Not everyone in a destination like a national park has the opportunity to stay in a luxurious five-star hotel. Because the United States has not yet developed to the point where all small towns are five-star hotels. Tourists who want to experience the luxury along the way must adjust their psychological expectations in advance.
The bathroom in the RV and camping cooking
The kitchen facilities in the RV are very complete, so it is best to familiarize yourself with how to use them in advance. If you are usually a cooking expert, purchase enough ingredients in the supermarket in advance, and DIY various delicacies along the way, you will be an Instagram celebrity. If you don’t usually go to the kitchen, don’t worry! Go to the supermarket in advance and prepare a variety of ready-to-eat ingredients, and you can set out easily. Camp entry and exit times
Camp entry time
Afternoon: 1:00~4:00
Camp departure time
Morning: 9:00~11 Click
Just like when we stay in a hotel, there are CHIEKIN and CHECKOUT times. The first car has left before the next car can check in.
However, most camps in the United States are privately owned, and some camps have their own regulations, so you must do your homework in advance and confirm the time to enter the camp. If there is a temporary change or you enter the camp very late, it will be very difficult. Trouble.
If you are unable to guarantee admission to camp on time, it is recommended to purchase an early bird package to extend your admission time.
In addition, we need to be reminded that since the camp fees are also calculated based on the number of people in each camp, the fees are also related to the age of the campers, so you must report your age truthfully when making a reservation. And if the reservation is for four people, it is not allowed to add 2 people temporarily when checking in. Some camps with strict policies will directly refuse to check in, so be sure to communicate with the camp in advance to avoid going out to play. Encountered various problems.
Tips:
1. Drinking is prohibited in most campsites, and some also prohibit smoking or have designated smoking areas
2. Activities such as campfires and barbecues need to be in designated locations Proceed
3. If you want to bring pets into the camp, you need to inform them in advance and confirm whether the camp water and electricity are available
The internal sewage, water supply, power supply and other system facilities of the RV are relatively complex, and you need to check in when picking up the RV. time, carefully watch the training materials. Any details not remembered, or missed, may lead to a very bad experience during the trip. For example, some people don't know the open button of the air conditioner, so they can only freeze for one night in winter. Others injected water into the fuel tank, causing the entire system of the RV to be paralyzed, and they had to pay thousands of dollars in fines. More importantly, these can ruin the mood of the trip, so be sure to check the information carefully. There is WIFI
Self-driving routes are basically away from the city and through forest canyons. Especially in some national park areas in the United States, mobile phone signals are not continuous, and nearby campsites also have no network. Therefore, it is difficult to stay away from the hustle and bustle and return to nature while having WIFI available at all times. Why not put down your phone and experience the scenery along the way. Travel expenses
The types of expenses to consider when traveling in an RV generally include the following five aspects. The specific price varies according to the size of the car and the campground facilities. Book in advance
Self-driving in an RV is still a relatively rare and novel experience for Chinese people. A fulfilling and perfect self-driving may take a long time, and most of us have relatively fixed vacations. So it often takes a long time to make a decision. However, in European and American countries, self-driving travel is a common national habit. There are some people who can just go, but most of them plan their trips in advance. Therefore, our RV travels sometimes coincide with holidays in Europe and the United States, especially during peak tourist seasons or during large-scale outdoor events such as Total Solar Eclipse, Burning Man, and Hot Air Balloon Festival. At this time, we need to grab a car and grab a seat. It is normal for some to book a year in advance. Therefore,
Be sure to plan in advance to see if the travel date overlaps with major foreign festivals. If so, be sure to book the RV and campsite in advance. Route planning
1. Recommended 5 self-driving routes in the United States
10-12 days of RV tour in the American West National Park
Reference itinerary: Las Vegas -Hoover Dam - Grand Canyon National Park - Horseshoe Bend - Antelope Canyon - Monument Valley - Arches National Park - Bryce National Park - Zion National Park - Las Vegas
Starting point: Las Vegas Passing through Vegas: Page Ending: Las Vegas
Mileage: about 1194 miles (about 1922 kilometers)
If you have no experience in driving an RV and are worried about driving problems, Or if you have certain budget restrictions, you can choose our multi-day group tour, which can save you a lot of trouble and make new friends at the same time. You will also have a private tour guide and butler who can take you on a smooth trip in both Chinese and English.
13-16 days of RV tour in the American West National Park
Reference itinerary: San Francisco or Los Angeles - Lake Havasu - Grand Canyon National Park - Horseshoe Bend - Lake Powell - Antelope Canyon Cloth-Grand Teton National Park-Yellowstone National Park-Salt Lake City-Valley of Fire State Park-Las Vegas
Starting point: San Francisco or Los Angeles Via: Salt Lake City Ending point: Las Vegas
Mileage: about 2331 miles (about 3752 kilometers)
Antelope RV 2-day short trip to the Grand Canyon
Participating itinerary: Las Vegas-Grand Canyon National Park -Hoover Dam-Upper Antelope Canyon-Grand Dam-Horseshoe Bend-Las Vegas
Starting point: Las Vegas Via: Grand Canyon National Park, Upper Antelope Canyon Ending point: Las Vegas Gas
Mileage: about 1,140 miles (about 1,835 kilometers)
Often a day trip from Gas to Grand Canyon National Park or Upper Antelope Canyon requires a long round trip on the same day. , it is very hard to set off at four or five in the morning! If you take a private RV tour, not only can you be "paralyzed" on the road, but also a private butler will accompany you to explain each attraction, so you can be as late as you want, and you don't have to worry. Accommodation issues for a day trip to Las Vegas ~ It will definitely be the most unique experience!
In-depth 6-day tour of Yellowstone National Park in the West
Reference itinerary: Salt Lake City-Jackson Town -Grand Teton National Park-Yellowstone National Park-Idaho Falls-Great Salt Lake-Salt Lake City
Starting point: Salt Lake City Way: Yellowstone National Park Ending point: Salt Lake City
Mileage: About 1063 miles (approximately 1711 kilometers)
If you have no experience in driving an RV, are worried about driving problems, or have sufficient funds and do not want to suffer the pain of long-distance driving, you can also choose to join an RV group with professional drivers. As a gold medal RV butler, the only thing you need to do is enjoy the leisure and comfort of RV travel~
A 10-day tour through Denali, Alaska
Reference itinerary: Anchorage -Denali National Park-Copper Center-Whittier-Anchorage
Start: Anchorage Pass: Denali National Park End: Anchorage
Mileage: about 796 miles (about 1281 kilometers)
2. Recommended self-driving routes in Canada
8-day Maple Leaf Tour in Ontario, Canada
Reference itinerary: Toronto-Niagara Falls-Thousand Islands-Kingston-Ottawa-Algonquin Provincial Park--Toronto
Start: Toronto via: Great Falls, Ottawa End: Toronto
Mileage: approximately 835 miles (approximately 1343 kilometers)
The maple leaf viewing season is about to begin. This time of year is a popular time for travel. Booking a car or camping site is all a matter of rush, not to mention going to the most famous place. It’s time to enjoy the maple leaves in Canada. If you haven’t started preparing yet, we have prepared everything for you. You can travel easily with your family, take your time, and customize your own private self-driving tour route, with bilingual tour guides accompanying you throughout the journey. The beautiful pictures and beautiful scenery are popular in the circle of friends! A summary of the most frequently asked questions
Q: Does the RV have a GPS and a child seat?
A: The RV company does not rent this item, so you need to bring your own Or buy it in the supermarket. Generally, you can use Google Maps on your mobile phone directly for GPS.
Q: How many days does it take to rent an RV for at least 4 days?
A: 4 days.
Q: What materials are needed to place an order for an RV?
A: Car rental order form;
A scanned copy of the main driver’s credit card, so the main driver is If you must have an international credit card, any subsequent charges will be deducted from the main driver's credit card; a copy or scan of the main driver's Chinese driver's license; a copy or scan of the first page of the main driver's passport; the guest's Specific flight information.
Q: If the guest arrives in the United States on the same day, can he pick up the car directly?
A: No, the RV company stipulates that international flights cannot pick up the car on the day of arrival. You must arrive at You can only start renting a car on the second day, so when arranging your itinerary, please note that you need to arrange a hotel for one night on the first night to facilitate your rest. In addition, you must call the car rental agency on the morning of the day you pick up the car to reserve a pick-up time between 1pm and 4pm.
Q: Is there anything I need to pay attention to when picking up the car?
A: When picking up the car, the car dealer will show you the pick-up note. Some of the items above need to be charged. Please Be sure to read the content carefully and do not sign hastily. Once the signature is confirmed, you will be charged a corresponding fee when returning the car.
Q: Do multiple RVs need to be paired with walkie-talkies when traveling at the same time?
A: Yes. Friends who often travel by car should know better. If several RVs go on the road together, if communication is not smooth, it is easy to fall behind, so a walkie-talkie is a must-have to maintain formation. Previously, we had a group of guests go to the West Coast for self-driving. There were 6 RVs in a group, and none of them had paired intercoms. As a result, the leading car drove too fast, and the cars behind were thrown away by a large distance. The network was not smooth and there were no intercoms. Under the circumstances, I contacted my teammates very late, and it was already midnight when I arrived at the camp. In the end, there was some unpleasantness among the guests. Therefore, when traveling in two or more RVs, guests must be reminded to pair their transceivers, and it is best to have an experienced driver drive the first vehicle.
Q: Is the camp fee payable on site?
A: No, you need to prepay the fee to the other party in advance, and you don’t have to pay it again when you arrive at the site.
Q: Can the RV be returned to another location?
A: Yes, the fee is generally between 200 and 200 depending on the location.