That’s the advice from Europcar if you want to take advantage of some great easter car savings, and to ensure the car of your choice is available, easter is a popular time for car hire compainies and even the major car hire companies can get stretched.

Another advantage with Europcar is their door to door service, drop off and pick up service from your door has to be the best hassle free hire service around,

Check out today the online savings and extra early bird savings to be had on your next easter car hire from Europcar

Travellers are being urged to book their car hire early to avoid disappointment, as rental operators in Canada, Spain, Portugal and Croatia all expect demand to exceed supply this season.

In North America, ongoing upheaval in the auto industry has raised significant concerns about the numbers of vehicles available to rental companies. With major market players (including Chrysler, Ford and General Motors) closing factories and losing assets, fewer cars are coming off the production line.

According to Dan Fogarty, manager of Discount Car and Truck Rental in Sydney, Nova Scotia, “The thing about the summer is that you rent all your vehicles all the time. So having less vehicles will just make things much more tricky. The size of my fleet right now is not the size that I planned for it to be.”

In Europe, popular destinations such as Alicante, Palma, Faro and Malaga have all suffered from car shortages. A number of suppliers have simply held their stock levels due to the economic climate, and are now being caught out as summer travellers continue with their holidays, unperturbed by the recession.

DialAFlight, who arrange car hire for passengers across the globe, say that “many of our car hire suppliers have not replaced their fleets this year because the manufacturers are refusing to buy back the old vehicles owing to the credit crunch. We are already receiving Stop Sales alerts for August as there is a shortage of cars in some areas. If you need car rental this summer we recommend booking it now!”

For those that have never dr iven on “the wrong side of the road” being presented with a left-hand drive vehicle presents its own set of unique challenges, including getting used to changing gear with the right hand, operating the parking brake and even knowing which lever operates the indicators and which the windscreen wipers. Before setting off, it’s important to carry out the usual recommended steps when collecting any new vehicle along with a few additional checks too:

Take a breath! Remember, the hotel will still be there when you arrive, no matter how late you think you are running. Take a moment to get accustomed to your hire car; check that it i s in good condition (clean and tyres with decent tread) and check that it reflects what has been recorded on the hire company paperwork. It’s much easier to resolve any dispute before you set off, and could save a costly argument at the time of return. If you are unhappy with vehicle for any reason, let the agent at the airport hire desk know immediately, so they can sort it out.

Get to know the car. Adjust mirrors, seating a steering wheel placement (where available) before you set off. Remember your rear view mirror will be angled differently for a left hand drive: there is no point having a great view of the back headrest! Check where the horn and hazard lights switches are placed in case you need to use them in an emergency. Hire cars normally come with a half or full tank; make sure you know what fuel type and on which side the filler cap is located.

Know where you’re going. It sounds obvious but taking a moment to find your position on a map can save you pain on the move (particularly if you are setting off at rush hour). Your rental company will usually provide you with a local map and will gladly spend a few minutes explaining your route and what to expect/where to go as you leave the air port – the most common point to make a mistake over direction! For an additional charge most hire companies provide portable Sat-Nav devices which can be a real stress reliever when in unfamiliar territory; particularly useful if you plan to explore; just remember to take it with you when leaving the vehicle unattended otherwise you might be paying a charge if it stolen, along with a repair bill.

Always think safety. In a foreign country different rules of the road will apply. Make sure you are familiar with the various road signs and markings including traffic light priorities (for example in some countries it’s p ossible to turn at a red light). Most reputable hire company will provide you with a small guide explaining the basics along with your rental agreement so take a moment to read it. Also, remember as a tourist you are susceptible to crime so be cautious of valet parking services and taking advice or directions from strangers. Asking for directions is best at hotels, well-known garages and the airport itself. Bear in mind that hire cars can carry stickers featuring the hire company brand which immediately identifies you as a tourist so don’t take any chances with your personal safety.

What seems to be missing from the analysis is evidence that any vehicles offered by car hire companies (large and small) will be affected by garages “raising their game” because of the code. Major brands such as Hertz, Alamo, Budget have a vested interest in keeping their vehicles in good condition as it protects their resale value (at the end of leases) and provides less cause for complaints. Lesser-known (but equally reputable companies) are fighting too for their share of local trade with an even greater dependence on reputation. That leaves us with the question of the bottom-end of the market and dare we suggest the “rogue traders.” What can we expect of these outfits and the uptake of the code; not much we would suggest. As BBC’s Watchdog highlighted earlier this year, giving your custom to such a business could prove to have fatal consequences whether a code exists or not.

The safest and most cost-effective option is to pick from a brand you know and look out for special offers to keep the cost down. With typical prices in the UK starting at around £15 per day, low cost needn’t mean sacrificing vehicle safety.