Checklist of things that need to be verified before enjoyable on a road trip from self drive car on

Author : Veekay Cabs | Published On : 23 Jul 2026

During the monsoons, roads around Delhi NCR take a very different turn than usual. The hills of places such as Mussoorie, Nainital, and Shimla appear greenest during this period and waterfalls spring up along with cooling temperatures following a sweltering summer. There couldn’t be a more alluring time of the year to plan an escape. But this is the time when road condition, visibility, and performance of the vehicle take center stage. Before embarking on a road trip from Delhi NCR, here are some checks that you shouldn’t forget.

1. Inspect the Tyres Before Any Other Thing

The most common reason for accidents during monsoon rains is bald or damaged tires. The traction provided by the road is severely reduced due to moisture, and tires that lack proper treads may lead to skidding of the car. While collecting your VeekayCabs self drive car on rent on Delhi, it is imperative to inspect the tires yourself and not simply rely on the word of the agency providing the service. Look for proper tire tread, absence of any crack, and appropriate pressure levels. Properly inflated tires work well with wet roads.

2. Check the Wipers and Headlights

The unexpected rains in the hilly terrain can limit your vision to only a few meters in just a matter of a few seconds. It is important to ensure that the wipers are not streaking or skipping and that there is enough washer fluid. The headlights and fog lights should be checked before you leave the city rather than finding them not working when you are driving through the wet ghat road at night. When using Veekay Cabs self-drive car rentals in Delhi for the hills such as Delhi–Nainital or Delhi–Shimla, fog lights cannot be ignored.

3. Check Brake Effectiveness and Stopping Distance

Stopping distance becomes very high on wet roads, and much higher still on the loose gravel found along the side of hill roads. Enquire from the vehicle rental company about the last time that the brake pads were replaced. A brief test drive within the locality, where a hard brake application is done at a low speed, will confirm whether the car pulls to one side or whether the brakes feel spongy.

4. Inspect the AC, Defogger, and Interior Air Movement

A foggy windshield poses an actual threat when driving through the rainy season, particularly when there are many occupants in the vehicle. It is necessary to verify the proper functioning of the AC and the rear defogger because the humidity level rises fast with the windows closed due to the rain. This might be an overlooked task before starting your drive, but becomes important during the journey.

5. Check the Spare Tire, Jack and Tool Kit

Punctures are likely to occur during the monsoon because of water-filled potholes that hide sharp objects. Before setting off from the rent yard, check for yourself that there is an operational spare tire, a functioning jack and a tool kit in the trunk. It might seem obvious, but this is the most neglected check and also the most stressful if you really require it at a later time while driving in a highway without any cellular network connectivity.

6. Plan Route Avoiding Waterlogged or Landslide Prone Areas

The routes from Delhi NCR during monsoons for traveling to the hills have portions which are susceptible to landslides or flooding. The information related to weather and traffic is advised to be gathered in the morning of travel and not the previous night. It will allow to avoid getting trapped in such areas by planning an alternative route via Google Maps and state highways.

7. Insurance and Breakdown Coverage

There is a greater possibility of getting into a small accident or having any sort of break down during monsoons while driving; hence, it would be wise to know exactly what coverage your rental agreement will have. It would be good to ask especially about how long it will take for the road side assistance service to arrive once one has left the NCR area because there could be limited coverage once you leave the area.

8. Take Essentials for Emergencies

Keep an emergency kit in your car, comprising of a torch, a phone charger, drinking water, a first aid kit, and a few days of medicines that you need. Money is important as payment options like cards or UPI might fail to work in hill areas because of the poor network.