Self-Drive vs. Chauffeur-Driven: Which Car Rental Option is Best For You?

If you are planning a trip and have gone for the car rental option, the common dilemma that you would face is choosing between driving the vehicle yourself and hiring a chauffeur to do the needful. The thing is, both these options come with their advantages and disadvantages. The choice in the end depends on what you prefer as an individual in these cases, the location where you are renting the vehicle, and the sort of journey you are undertaking in this case. In this blog, we will attempt to enumerate and discuss the pros and cons of each of these options to help you make a proper decision.

Which One Should You Choose Between Self-Drive and Chauffeur-Driven Rental Cars?

• Advantages of Self-Driven Rental Cars
• Disadvantages of Self-Driven Rental Cars
• Advantages of Chauffeur-Driven Rental Cars
• Disadvantages of Chauffeur-Driven Rental Cars

1. Advantages of Self-Driven Rental Cars

Following are the biggest advantages of car hire without a driver:

• freedom and privacy 
• no limit on kilometers 
• diverse arrays of cars 
• ease in finding, especially at airport terminals 
• the cheapest option in the beginning 
• fuel costs covered 

♦ A self-drive car provides you with freedom and privacy that can never be matched by a chauffeur-driven car. You are in total control during the trip, which means you can play the music you want to and enjoy it, stop at any place that catches your fancy, and travel at a pace that you want to. There is no third party over her,e which means you do not have to deal with any interruption or distraction. 

♦ A lot of companies that offer self-drive car facilities in India do not impose any limit on the kilometers you can travel with the vehicle.

♦ When you rent a self-drive car you get a whole lot more cars to select from compared to when you go for car hire with a driver.

♦ Self-drive car rental service providers are significantly present at prominent transport hubs such as airport terminals.

♦ In the initial stages, a self-drive car helps you save more money because you are not paying for the services of a driver.

♦ Certain companies that offer these services include the fuel costs in their fees, and this can make it easier for you to budget since you need not monitor every time you have to stop for fuel.

2. Disadvantages of Self-Driven Rental Cars

Following are the biggest issues you face when you do not opt for a chauffeur driven car:

• parking hassles 
• unfamiliar roads 
• expensive insurance 
• fines, car damage, and tolls 
• extra charges that are applied after the trip is completed 
• customer documentation and identification
• old cars

♦ In many cities in India, it can take you a whole lot of time to find a place where you can park the car, and it can be rather challenging as well. When you are driving a rented vehicle, it is your responsibility to find a parking spot, pay the fees, and make sure that the automobile is safe. 

♦ If you do not know the driving customs of the area and the roads you are driving, navigating the roads in India by yourself can cause you a whole lot of stress, for sure. 

♦ Usually, when you rent a car to drive it yourself, you have to pay extra insurance, and this can add a lot to the money you are paying for such services.

♦ When you have rented a car to drive it yourself, you will be held responsible for all traffic fines and tolls, along with the damage sustained by the vehicle.

♦ A lot of rental companies tend to apply additional charges if you return the car after the right date or if the car suffers too much wear and tear when you have used it. 

♦ Renting a self-drive car implies that you have to provide various forms of identification, including a valid driving license. At times, extra verification is needed in these case,s too. 

♦ The quality of rental cars tends to differ quite a lot, and you may get an older car not in pristine condition.

3. Advantages of Chauffeur-Driven Rental Cars

Following are the most significant benefits of car rental with drivers:  

• zero parking hassle
• local knowledge
• zero liability for accidents or fines 
• enjoyment and relaxation during the ride 
• professional service 
• safety

♦ One of the major advantages that you get by hiring a car with a chauffeur is that you do not have to worry at all about parking. The driver will drop you off at the destination and take care of parking the vehicle as well. This is especially helpful in congested cities and towns in India. 

♦ Chauffeurs are mostly locals who know the finest routes and shortcuts as well as the best ways to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

♦ When you have opted for private car hire with driver, you do not have to worry about being held liable for any fine, accident, or toll. 

♦ When you are being driven around by a chauffeur, it means you get to kick back and relax during the journey. 

♦ In the case of chauffeur-driven car rental services, you usually get an extra layer of professionalism and luxury. 

♦ If you have no idea of how tough it is to drive in the traffic conditions of India, you should hire a chauffeur because it ensures that you stay safe during the trip. 

4. Disadvantages of Chauffeur-Driven Rental Cars

♦ The main issues that you may face with chauffeur-driven car rental services are higher costs, less privacy, limited freedom, and availability. 

♦ These services are usually more expensive because you have to pay the extra cost of hiring a driver. Thus, this option may not be so suitable if you have a tight budget already. 

♦ Having a driver also means that you are sharing the journey with another individual. If you value privacy in your trips, this is a downside for sure!  

♦ The thing with being driven around by a chauffeur is that your journey is never going to be as spontaneous as it would be when you drive the car yourself. You may have to coordinate with the driver regarding changes to your plans and the stops you make in your journey. 

♦ In some parts of the country, it can be harder for you to find a chauffeur-driven car than a vehicle that you can drive yourself. This is especially so in areas where these services tend to be limited. 

Conclusion 

In the end, the car rental option you choose between self-driven and chauffeur-driven cars depends on factors such as your preferences as a traveler, your budget, and the destination you are heading to. One thing is for sure, though – no matter which of these you choose in the end, you have to make sure that you go for a top service provider in the car rental industry, such as Revv, as that way you would almost have to worry about anything.