You intend to hire a minibus for a day trip. How can you ensure that the journey runs well and is as pleasurable as possible? See our guide to learn more. You’re organising a day trip for a large group of friends or family members. Will that five-person vehicle be large enough?
Yes. Two cars could be taken by you. But wouldn’t it be more pleasant if everyone travelled in unison? Along the trip, you may have conversations, schedule rest stops together, and relish the shared thrill of travelling.
It’s time for those plans to leave the group chat behind. It is indeed time to hire a minibus. But where do you even begin as the official route planner?
Remain calm. We’ve developed a few suggestions to improve the encounter and make the travel equally enjoyable as the destination.
Advice for drivers
- Verify that you are authorised to drive.
To start with, are you genuinely permitted to operate the bus?
Minibus driving is generally permitted with a conventional automobile licence, however there are a few limitations depending on the vehicle’s weight and the year of your test pass.
Additionally, there are various speed limits for bigger vehicles. Therefore, if you’ve never driven a minibus before, make sure you become familiar with the traffic laws.
But don’t let us deter you. Minibus driving is simple with a little experience. We’ve put together a helpful guide for first-time minibus drivers to assist you. Look it over!
- Go over the terms and conditions.
Spend a few minutes getting acquainted with the policies of the hiring company of your choice.
For instance, are dogs permitted? Do they have a policy against smoking? Exist any age restrictions or other limitations on driving?
Knowing the terrain today will help you avoid trouble later on.
- Get your tech ready and your route ready.
Make sure you’ve prepared and organised your trip in advance, and that your phone or satnav is placed in a distracting area.
If there is no signal, you can use offline maps that you have downloaded. This will come in particularly useful if your trip leads you through rural areas.
Despite the fact that it should go without saying, ensure sure your phone is fully charged. Being stranded in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact for assistance is the last thing you want to happen.
- Establish a safety strategy
It makes sense to be ready for anything. In this manner, every person’s journey will be remembered for all the good reasons.
Therefore, make sure to include a first aid kit and, if roadside assistance is included with your hire minibus, make note of the breakdown company’s phone number.
Please do not misunderstand us. Since hired cars are often kept in excellent condition, there is relatively little possibility of a breakdown. Still, it’s advisable to err on the side of caution.
- Have rest periods
Never undervalue the value of getting enough sleep. Make sure to take a 15-minute break every two hours or so if the travel is lengthy.
Another option is to make arrangements for someone to drive alongside you. However, bear in mind that this will require prior arrangements with the hiring business.
- Organise everyone.
Plan a pickup location or meeting for the morning of your vacation to avoid having to spend the entire morning driving around picking folks up.
Verify that every passenger is present, and gently remind them to make sure their phones are charged so they can stay in touch.
You may then make a schedule of the important locations to visit and the approximate travel hours. Give yourself a little leeway in case something goes wrong, such if someone is running late.
- Bring a lot of supplies.
Are you aware of any more items that you should pack?
It’s imperative to stock up on food and beverages. Maybe get a pack of water bottles that can fit in the boot so that everyone may join you.
Don’t forget to bring along any necessary documentation for the trip as well as your ID. You don’t want to have to end the day early because you can’t find your driver’s license!
- Offer amusement
Anybody’s patience can wear thin on long drives. So, while travelling, treat yourself to some aural entertainment to help you avoid getting the road blues.
You could download some podcasts or audiobooks, or you could broadcast a customised playlist based on the interests of your passengers.
As an alternative, you may learn a few cooperative games with a trip theme.
- Take a nap
Lastly, before you go, make sure you have a decent night’s sleep. In order to have an enjoyable and trouble-free journey, you want to be at your best.
What items should a passenger bring?
You might have made a list of the items you plan to bring on a day excursion, such as your phone and charger. Have you, however, remembered to pack some snacks?
Make sure you have enough water and snacks to make everyone else’s day simpler. The motorist won’t have to stop too often in this manner.
Why not also bring a camera? Although most phones these days have cameras, it can be entertaining to purchase a throwaway camera and record the day together.
Furthermore, are you ready for the typical British weather? Are you holding an umbrella? A decent coat?
Or have you brought sunscreen, a towel, and swimming attire if you’re going to the beach and hoping for some sunshine?
Lastly, bring along any enjoyable activities you can play in the drive! After all, laughter is the greatest unifying force among people.
Choose games that don’t require any preparation if you don’t have any. Both “I Spy” and “Would You Rather?” are timeless.
You’ve come to the perfect spot if you’re looking for minibus hire Barking. During the more than 20 years that Essex Minibus hire has been in operation, we have served hundreds of satisfied clients. Please contact us for a prompt quote.