Until you live behind the closed closets like me, you could have been aware that India is not same as 4 yrs ago. India auto market become aggressive arena to international car makers like Audi, BMW, Logan, Ford and Chevrolet. Every freaking awesome cars available on dusty narrow Indian road from BMW X5 to latest bense. One of the immediate side effect is booming car rental business in around major cities like chennai, bangalore, pune and delhi. Any one who has 100,000 INR (US$ 2,240) can start a car rental car company in india. Banks are ready to finance the cars even upto 90% with 7-10% APR. That doesn’t mean that everyone can excel in rental car business.

As from my experience the service quality is very poor if you compare with international car business like Avis, Hertz and Budget cars. But from the rate perspective local car rental companies are far cheaper than international brands. You can rent as cheap as 300 INR for small car like Tata Indica in Chennai.

This article will discuss few tips on using cheap rental cars in india.

How to book the car in India

Only 20% of the car companies have websites remaining 80% are running on word of mouth. It is always better to ask your ticketing agent find a car for you. Unfortunately, you may end up paying for the expense of involving ticketing agent. Because of everyone wanted to have their cuts. The best way is do the quick search on google car rental followed by “city name”. Like Car Rental Chennai . Google will list all the local business with phone number at the top of the search result. Just dial the number and check the rental tariff. If you are 3 passenger with very least luggage ask for Tata Indica. for more than 4 go with SUV like Victa, Innova, Travera. Or you can simply rang up to this number +91-44-45563424 from Chennai Rental cars company to get the rate. They are the best Rental car operator in Chennai.

Self Driving Option or Hiring car with Driver Cauffeur?

When you book the car, dont forget to ask whether the chauffeur rate is included. Because every car hire company in India sell their service with driver option and they don’t recommend you the self drive option. Even I recommend to go with driver chauffeur option than the self driving rental cars. Why? Indian roads are not driver friend neither the drivers.

Man! the 3 wheel auto drivers can cut you off anywhere they wanted. Their hand signal is totally different from International Traffic Rules . I often watched them putting out the leg through window to show the turning signal. So please go with driver option if you are new to Indian city roads like chennai.

When you hire a car with chauffeur for long trip then the other problem comes in. I took the car to Tiruvannamalai, pondicherry for 4 days and often offended by the driver conduct for first 2 hrs. The first question they ask is Where are you from ? Are you marrried? The second one is the most irritating stuff “How much do you earn” ? . Check Ms Doona Rendell india travel blog

Dealing with Rental Car Driver in india

It took me a while to understand this indian’s good heart. You will be respected more if you are married because you are raising a family. How much you earn? question is will decide the type of service you deserve :D. Better keep some cash, tip him whenever you stop the car for more than 30 minutes.

20-30 (1 $ - 50 cent) INR is decent tip, don’t give more than that. Ask personal questions,

Questions you can ask to your Indian Driver?

Like are you married?

How many kids you have?

Weather his wife is relative or loved marriage?

Did he sleep well?

What did he had for break fast or lunch whatever?

Did he call home yesterday?

How is kids, do they smart enough to take care of themself?

The more personal question you ask the more good service you get. But Remember, don’t touch the Wife or Girl friend matters. Indians never liked to discuss about his wife or girl friend. But love to talk about his grand mother more :P.

When I first landed in Portland - Orgon my colleague took me by surprise by showing his wife swim shoot photo and asked me doesn’t she hot enough. She was doing school in broad way acting that time, after schooling she moved to Los angels followed with my friend. With in two month they firmly ended 10 years of marriage relationship. I am very sorry for that… allright coming to the point

Required documents to book the car in India
If you are a foreigner and visiting Chennai, India for short time vacation then better have copy of your passport and cash ready. Many car hire companies prefer cash over the credit card so they don?t need to pay the IRS . But established service provider demands credit card payment over the cash also the driving license. Indian traffic regulation doesn?t have the driver performance point system. There is no Social Security number to track your records. So, You can knock as many pedestrians and hit as many vehicles on the road you don?t get point on your license. But make sure you have the deep pockets.

Most rental companies have a wide range of vehicles to choose from. Honda City, Toyato Camry, Logan car, Ford Fiesta are considered luxury . Mercedez Bense is treated as super luxury car. The most small sedan car would be TATA Indica diesel sedan runs on both gas and diesel. Can accommodate 3 passenger and one driver. Primary car will cost you $ 13 a day . That minimum price will cover 75 miles and should be with in the city limit. Any thing above will be considered as additional .

Before I put the dot to this long post, remember Indians never value the time. So book the car 20 minutes early if you are arranging the pickup and drop off service from airport :). Happy Traveling and Welcome to India.