If you need to transport a large group of people somewhere relatively quickly, your best option is probably to charter a bus.
Not only will it be cheaper than any other option, but you also can all be together and be safe and secure because there are strict laws governing the bus chartering business.
However, not all bus rentals are the same, so there are some things you need to know before you commit to a company. AZ Limo, veterans in vehicle rentals offer some tips on how to choose the best bus charter company.
Insurance Is Key
Before you make a single step further, you need to be sure that the company is fully insured and that you are covered in case of an accident.
Of course, you never think that an accident will happen to you, but if it does, you need to be sure that you are covered by insurance.
A helpful tip is to know that any company which has the certificate to drive across state borders needs to be covered to the minimum amount of $5 million.
Vehicle Inspection
There are strict rules when it comes to coaches and their technical capabilities and all charter companies need to abide by them.
However, there are always some companies that are not above breaking the rules, or bending them a bit. So, before you choose a vehicle, make sure to ask for the paperwork which shows that that particular coach has been through the mechanical inspection in the last year.
It will minimize the risk of your coach breaking down in the middle of your trip.
Your Driver Needs Certification, Too
Chances are that when you are renting a bus, you will be hiring a driver as well. Simply put, in order to drive a bus full of people, you need to have a commercial driver’s license.
If nobody in your group has one, which is very likely, you will be hiring a driver along with the coach. Make sure that your driver has had their CDL and that it is still valid.
Some companies hire regular drivers with CDL, but if they are understaffed, or if it is peak season, they often hire additional drivers who may not be fully certified, or even at all, risking your health and lives for that extra profit.
Long Distance Trips Require Extra Drivers
There is a federal law which states that drivers cannot operate a vehicle for more than 10 hours a day. This is a requirement that all commercial drivers have to comply with, be it truck drivers or bus drivers.
If your trip will take longer than that, you need to consult with the charter company to provide additional drivers so that you can continue your trip even when your first driver legally cannot drive any further.
Alternatively, you can organize your trip around this legal requirement and make additional stops, if there are interesting sites to see around.
Read Your Contract Carefully
This is not an issue specific to charter companies, but it pays to be extra careful and read the contract before you sign it.
There might be some caveats and unusual points in the contract. If you are unsure about anything in the contract, don’t sign it before you’ve read it and asked the representative of the company.
Some companies might want to hide some additional fees and charges and you might get a nasty surprise when the time comes to pay the full price.
Even though there are some dishonest companies, the best charter bus companies will have everything in plain sight, and you will know their worth when you see them.
