The legal age to hire cars in Hargeisa is 18, but some companies in the city may have higher age requirements, especially for tourists. UK nationals should have their local driver’s licence, a valid passport and an International Driving Permit to obtain a car hire in Hargeisa. It is advisable to hold your papers for about two years to safely qualify. There are few, if any, international car hire locations in Hargeisa, so you’ll have to rely on local agencies like Hargeisa Car Hires or Royal Car Rental for a vehicle. Credit cards such as MasterCard and Visa are normally used for payment, but some companies may also accept bank debit cards, which improves your chances of getting a cheap car hire in Hargeisa.
Similar to the UK, driving a car hire in Hargeisa is done on the right. The speed limit for driving along city streets is 40 km/h (24 mph), but the general limit is about 60 km/h (37 mph) on all other roads unless signs indicate otherwise. On highways/freeways, the maximum speed allowed is between 110 and 120 km/h (68-74 mph). Seatbelts should be used by any occupant travelling in a hire car in Hargeisa, and it is unlawful to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The use of mobiles while driving is not expressly prohibited but should be avoided whenever possible. For further information, you should check with the Hargeisa department of motor vehicles for any recent law changes.
When travelling in your cheap car hire in Hargeisa, you should expect traffic congestion, especially in the areas in and around the city centre. An economy car hire or compact is, therefore, the wise choice to save fuel while managing the city's narrow streets. Many of the roads in rural areas are unpaved, in which case, an SUV or passenger van hire is the better option. These also have the advantage of more storage space and increased comfort.
Finding and booking accommodation with onsite parking facilities is a safe bet for parking your car hire in Hargeisa. On-street parking is possible, but you should be wary of dimly lit and unpopulated areas. There are few, if any, public car parks in downtown Hargeisa, and rates for the private ones are currently unavailable. Hargeisa Egal International Airport (HGA) has about 200 spaces at its short-term parking garage, and you should expect to pay no more than Sh.so.974,61 (£1.25) per hour. The airport is quite close to the city centre.
Yes, cars are available to be hired for an entire month in Hargeisa.