Like any other country, Singapore has certain things you need to consider before renting the services of a bus or mini-bus. This is because of the strict laws put up by the governing body.
Ownership
You need to be aware that only those who have a certificate of ownership are legally allowed to own a vehicle. Therefore before you accept to engage a charter minibus, car or bus, it is imperative that you request to see the certificate of ownership. Being in possession of a car without the right documentation is a crime and you can be arrested for it. Likewise, ensure your charter provider has the necessary licenses and documentations required to provide the service to avoid any hiccups on your transaction.
Routes
Ensure that your driver knows his or her road well. If you have no good knowledge of the roads in Singapore, it is likely that you will depend n your driver to bring you around to your destinations. Hence, it is important to find a responsible driver with experience. Alternatively, you can opt to get a well- detailed map or GPS that has precise and updated directions.
Documentation
You should always ensure that you have in possession the necessary documentations and records of your transaction to safeguard you in the case of any legal issues. This will include a contract document that has your signature and that of the owner or stamp of the company that provided you with the vehicle. There should also be certain provisions like national identification and purpose of use. The agreed upon terms are then signed.
Terms of service
Most people ignore this, but it is advisable that you read the terms and conditions of your contract pertaining to the bus/car that you want to rent. Some terms may have been manipulated to favor the service provider thereby you would be signing yourself a bad deal.
Vehicle’s clearance
You should know that not all vehicles have the clearance to be charter vehicles. In Singapore, there are laws governing the services that a vehicle can offer. Certain buses and vehicles are cleared to operate as charters while others only have specific terms of service. You should be aware of the clearance provided for the vehicle you are about to rent.
State of the vehicle
Avoid at all costs, vehicles that have been deemed unfit for the road, no matter how sweet the deal may be, it is not worth the risk. Every vehicle is required to have a clearance certificate that allows it to operate on the road. If the charter company or individual cannot provide this document then avoid that vehicle.
The bus’s capacity
Depending on the number of individuals you wish to accommodate, it is important to pick a bus that can accommodate everyone. It is against the law to overload and it can attract hefty fines and even to an extreme, the revocation of your driver’s license.
In order to ensure you have a smooth experience with your bus charter, do take the time to consider these factors of renting a bus or car. It will definitely save you lots of potential problems!
