We have recently added Middle East mapping to our satellite navigation hire range. The Middle East is becoming a far more popular place for tourists with Dubai leading the way with spectacular hotels, buildings, shops, beaches and golf courses. The mapping includes United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. With sun all year round it is the ideal place to visit during our winter months.

TomTom state that the coverage is as follows, street network coverage Bahrain 99%, Kuwait 99%, Qatar 99%, Oman 80%, Saudi Arabia 82%, UAE 99%. There are 183,620 Kms of roads covered through the entire region with 90,794 points of interest. House number coverage in Kuwait is 99% and in UAE is 36%. As well as being able to navigate from house to house you can also travel from country to country across border.

Although driving laws in Dubai are very similar to many other countries with so many people driving high powered cars on highways with up to 10 lanes accidents are inevitable and the statistics show Dubai to have one of the highest road death rates in the world. A few years ago traffic was unheard of in Dubai, but now growth has overtaken the development of the road network so at peak times there are jams that would not be out of place in London.

The TomTom device we will be supplying for hire in the Middle East will contain seamless mapping for the whole area. Prices for Sat Nav Hire Middle East start from £31.02 for the first week and just £63.33 for one month.

Hire a Sat Nav for The Middle East

Dubai

This time of year whilst it is cold and wet here in the UK many people are travelling to the Southern Hemisphere to enjoy some winter sun. Probably one of our most popular hire products is our TomTom South Africa sat nav. South Africa is a beautiful country and many chose to drive the full length of the country starting from Johannesburg and driving to Cape Town via the east coast and the spectacular garden route. Sat Nav Hire South Africa has many advantages. Firstly, it takes away the stress of getting lost or not being able to find you hotel. Secondly, you are able to take in the scenery rather than having to map read.

Our TomTom South Africa units contain recent mapping with 1000′s of point of interest making navigation very easy. There are a few places that are worth a visit which can often be off the beaten track with no precise address. Fortunately, this does not pose a problem when using the TomTom. There is an excellent feature when plotting your route that allows you to enter your GPS coordinates. How do I know the coordinates? you may ask. Most of the places that are in the middle of nowhere such as some game reserves and vineyards display their GPS coordinates on their website. If not, you can visit www.itouchmap.com where you can pinpoint a location on a map and it will give you the precise coordinates. Even better, if you email us your destinations after placing your order we will pre-program the places for you free of charge.

We can also provide you with car hire for South Africa and many other travel extras.

Germany’s Autobahn motorway system is a dream for driving enthusiasts. With well maintained and uncomplicated roads as well as efficient and co-operative drivers make driving in Germany a pleasure. As with any country there are simple rules and laws to follow for your safety so read on to find out more…..

The minimum age to drive in Germany is 18 and don’t forget to take your driving licence to prove it. Cars drive on the right and pass on the left and seatbelts must be worn by all passengers. Children under the age of 12 or shorter than 1.5m are not permitted to ride in the front unless they use an approved safety seat or harness but if there an active airbag in the front then safety seats are not permitted. Doors must be kept unlocked while driving to help a rescue in case of an accident, if you are hiring a car then let the rental company check this out. Many cars these days have settings where the doors automatically lock when mobile which must be switched off. Vehicles must carry a warning triangle and first aid kit.

On the spot fines are issued by the Police in Germany and if you are caught short of cash they can impound your car. If you are fined because your hire car is not supplied with the neccessary safety equipment do not worry. Pay the fine and the Police will issue a receipt and your car hire company will reimburse you. Car rental companies always try to ensure that all the relevant equipment is supplied but at busy times of the year this may not be possible.

Speed cameras are rife in Germany so be aware. If your car is supplied with a sat nav or you bring one with you then most of them come with speed camera warnings and this option must be disabled. If you are driving a rental car and are caught by a camera then the ticket will be sent to your car rental company who will notify the Police and the fine will be forwarded to you. Non EU residents regularly have their cases dropped but this isn’t to be relied upon.

Speed limits for cars and motorcycles are as follows:

Within urban areas -  50kph or 31mph

Outside urban areas – 100kph or 62mph

Autobahns and expressways – 130kph or 81mph. This is a recommended speed limit but there is no general speed limit for cars or motorcycles.

The penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol in Germany are harsh. Heavy penalties are given and can include a suspension of your licence. Penalties are enforced with anyone demonstrating a blood alcohol limit as low as 0.03. Considering the high alcohol content found in most German beers it is recommended that you do not drive if you have drunk any alcohol.

Further information:

The use of mobile phones whilst driving is not permitted. Mobile phones may be used only if parked with the engine turned off or if it is hands free.

If involved in an accident then you must stop immediately, this also applies to any people in a vehicle not involved in the accident but could act as a witness. If anyone is injured then the Police and Ambulance service can be contacted from a telephone or mobile by dialling 112 or on Autobahns the nearest emergency telephone may be used. It is the law that first aid is given to any of the injured persons, your First Aid Kit will come in handy.

If involved in the accident you must exchange information with the other driver/s such as your licence, passport, insurance details and if applicable your rental information. As a tourist it would be suggested that you contact the Police so they can take a report which will help protect you from any future problems.

Finally, we would recommend that a GPS or Sat Nav would help you navigate around Germany and let you concentrate on driving safely without the added worry of navigating as well. If you don’t have a Sat Nav then you can hire a Sat nav for Germany from this website. Our prices are approximately 50% cheaper than hiring one from a car rental company and a lot cheaper than buying mapping that you might not need to use again.

Portugal can be scary place to drive and it’s road safety record doesn’t make good reading. In recent years the Portugese Government have implemented some excellent improvements but it would be advisable to drive with caution. The cities are extremely busy with a high density of traffic which can be rather stressful especially at peak times.

There’s no better way to discover Portugal and in particular the Algarve than by hiring or taking your own car. There are plenty of hidden gems such as quiet beaches and quaint villages in the countryside if you are prepared to find them. A sat nav would come highly recommended and would really help you discover the true Portugal. If you don’t have a sat nav or you are unable to borrow one then you can hire a sat nav for Portugal from our website.

The majority of the motorways in Portugal have toll booths and most major credit cards are accepted. Usually they are the best roads to drive on as they are well maintained with plenty of stops along the way for petrol or food. The newly built Mediterranean Coastal Motorway which runs from Lisbon all the way to Monte Carlo promises a picturesque and enjoyable driving experience following the Mediterranean Coast.

Other information

Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers in the vehicle.

Children under the age of 12 or less then 4 feet 9 inches tall must use an approved booster seat and/or harness when in the car.

A hi-vis vest must be stored in the vehicle at all times and worn if the car needs examining or repairing at the roadside.

A warning triangle must be placed behind the vehicle if you have made an unscheduled stop at the roadside due to mechanical or other problems.

If you have only passed your driving test in the last 12 months then you speed must be limited to 90kph or 55mph and a yellow “90″ disc should be displayed on the rear of the car.

Mobile phones are only permitted for use in a vehicle with a hands free kit or bluetooth headset.

Parking must be made in the same direction of the traffic where parking facing oncoming traffic is illeagal. In Lisbon Blue Zone parking discs are available from the local Police free of charge.

If you are hiring a car and it is not supplied with all the neccessary safety equipment you may be presented with a fine from the Police. Do not worry, ensure you get a receipt from them and your car rental company will reimburse you.

The drink driving limit in Portugal is 50mg per 100ml of blood, this is less than the UK. If in doubt please do not drink and drive.

Urban area speed limit – 50kph or 31mph

Major road speed limit – 100kph or 62mph

Motorway speed limit – 120kph or 74mph

Useful Phrases

Fronteira – Border

Gasoleo – Diesel

Itinerario principal – Main Road

Limite de velocidade – Speed limit

Portagem – Toll

Sem chumbo – Unleaded petrol

Australia is the 6th largest country in the World and they have many roads which stretch for thousands of miles. If you drive into the Outback it’s not uncommon that you could drive for hours without seeing another car or town. This is why it’s vital that your journey is planned carefully and should include regular breaks along the way and you have plenty of water on board as the heat can be unbearable at times. Before you leave check that your vehicle’s air conditioning is working, the car is not prone to overheating, the spare tyre is fully inflated and mobile phone is fully charged. The Outback isn’t somewhere you want to get stranded!

A sat nav would be invaluable. Not only does it ensure you are heading in the right direction but also it will give you an excellent indication of how far and how long you are to the nearest town or your destination. If you are interested in hiring a sat nav for Australia then please take a look at our website.

Kangaroos and cattle can be a hazard on country roads and colliisons are commonplace. The wildlife is most abundent at cooler times so try avoiding driving at night.

If you are planning an extended stay in Australia to make the most of this beautiful country then you might want to consider taking some internal flights coupled with hiring a car in a few different destinations. From looking at a map it is quite easy to think that some places are a lot closer to each other than you think so always do your research first to ensure you have sufficient time to complete your journey.

Other information

Vehicles give way to the right, to help you in built-up areas these priorities are clearly signposted.

Always park on the in the direction your car is facing.

Trams in Melbourne can only be overtaken on the left and you must wait behind one if it stops to allow passengers on and off. Observe road markings at right turns so not to obstruct the trams.

Minimum driving age is Australia is 17.

Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers when travelling.