Road Trip Checklist for Your Car: 15 Things to Check Before You Leave

Do you have to prepare a few things before embarking on a long drive? Well, here's what you must not forget to arrange for before hitting the road. A missing document or an unpaid challan can ruin a road trip faster than a punctured tyre. Here are 15 things to do before you leave.

Documents and compliance

• RC: Carry a printed original or a DigiLocker copy and ensure that the owner and vehicle details are correct. You can find the RC details online with the vehicle number
• Insurance: Confirm that your insurance is not just valid for the day.
• PUC certificate: The expiry date is a crucial thing to remember. This is the certificate most people forget to renew.
• Driving licence: Carry the printed original or a digital copy with you and ensure that it is not expired.
• Pending challans: Challan Checking against your vehicle number before you cross state borders. Similarly, if you have driven through a state with cameras, unpaid challans can crop up even after a few days. You can check challan status on MyMotor.
• FASTag: Ensure that your FASTag has a sufficient balance so that you are not held back at tolls.

The car itself

• Tyres: Check the pressure (including the spare), depth of treads and look out for any cracks or bulges in the sidewalls.
• Engine oil: Check the level with the car on a level surface using the dipstick.
• Coolant: Check the level in the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold and top it up if necessary.
• Brakes and brake fluid: Look out for signs of low fluid, a soft brake pedal, and grinding noises.
• Battery: Check for corrosion on the terminals and the age of the battery. Older batteries tend to discharge faster on long drives.
• Lights and wipers: Test the headlights, brake lights, indicators, and wipers.
• Fuel or charge: Fill the tank to the brim or charge it to full capacity and mark points where you can recharge or refuel on the way.
• Emergency kit: Carry a jack, spanner, torch, first-aid box, a reflective triangle, jumper cables, and a power bank with you.
• Service status: If it has been more than six months since your car was serviced, get it done before you leave.

Quick checklist: Documents ✓ Challans cleared ✓ FASTag ✓ Tyres ✓ Fluids ✓ Battery ✓ Lights ✓ Fuel ✓ Emergency kit ✓

Q.What documents should you carry on a road trip?

A.You must carry your RC, insurance, PUC certificate, and driving licence with you, in original or digital copies.

While driving through more than one state, are challans deducted according to the state you are driving in or the one you are leaving? Since challans are generated against the vehicle number, it is always a good idea to check if any challans are pending against your vehicle before leaving and also upon your return.