Sharing the Driving on a Prado Road Trip: A Better Handover Between Drivers

Before sharing the driving on a Prado road trip, get each intended driver approved for the rental. Then plan to change drivers while parked somewhere suitable, with time for a short conversation and a check of the controls.

The next driver needs to know the route, how the car has been behaving and anything that has changed during the last leg. They also need time to get comfortable in a vehicle they may not know well.

Get every driver approved

Ask the provider how additional drivers are accepted and recorded, including anyone who might drive as a backup. Having a licence or being part of the booking party doesn't automatically authorise someone to drive the hired car.

EliteMotion's insurance exclusions guidance identifies unauthorised drivers as a possible coverage issue. Settle approval before travelling so you're not trying to resolve it during a tired roadside discussion.

Name the intended drivers when you enquire about self-drive options. If practical, have each approved driver attend the vehicle demonstration. That avoids relying on one person to remember unfamiliar controls and explain them to everyone later.

Choose places to swap, with flexible timing

Look for suitable changeover places along the route, such as an agreed meal stop, accommodation or another parking area. Let fatigue, weather and road conditions influence when you use them.

Equal kilometres don't necessarily mean equal effort. One section may demand much more concentration, and anyone who slept badly should say so early. Agree that passengers and drivers can ask for a break without having to justify it.

If no approved driver is fit to continue, stop and change the plan. Don't assume another person in the car is rested enough to take over.

Where possible, give navigation to a passenger. They can prepare and check the next destination while you're parked so the driver can concentrate on the road.

Talk through the handover while parked

Start by checking whether the incoming driver feels ready. The outgoing driver should explain why they are stopping, particularly if they need proper rest. If the next driver also needs a break, take it before moving again. Changing seats alone won't deal with tiredness.

Then cover the car. Pass on the fuel level, any warning or unusual behaviour reported to the provider, and anything needing attention at the next planned stop. If there's a fault, follow the provider's instructions and resolve it before continuing when necessary, even if the next driver feels ready to go.

Show the next driver where the key, rental contact and relevant documents are. Make sure the key hasn't stayed in the outgoing driver's jacket, especially if that person will leave the group at the next stop.

Finally, confirm the next destination and planned stop, including any gate, hotel entrance or meeting-point instructions. Resolve competing directions now, while parked, before you reach a junction and find that people are navigating to different entrances.

Adjust the driving position and check the controls

The incoming driver should set the seat, steering position where available, mirrors and seat belt before moving. Look for bags, bottles or charging cables that have slipped into the driver's footwell.

Locate the lights, wipers, demisting controls, hazard lights and gear selector. Ask for another demonstration if needed. Controls and fitted equipment can differ between Prados, so check the allocated car.

Leave specialised driving settings alone unless the provider has explained when and how to use them on that vehicle. The outgoing driver should mention any setting changed during the last leg. If either person is unsure of the normal road setup, confirm it with the provider.

Let the outgoing driver rest

Give music, messages and non-urgent questions to another passenger after the swap. The person who has just finished driving shouldn't immediately inherit a new list of jobs.

With only two people, prepare navigation before leaving and deal with other tasks at the next suitable stop. The resting passenger doesn't have to coordinate the whole trip. Agree on some quiet time if that helps; conversation can wait after a demanding stretch.

Keep a short note for multi-day trips

A shared note can help everyone remember:

• The current approved driver
• The last fuel stop and where its receipt is
• The next destination and planned break
• Any issue reported to the rental team and its response
• The agreed return time and place

Use it to pass on practical information, without turning driving distance or break counts into a competition.

Before the final leg, check that whoever will return the car knows the handover arrangement. Ask the rental team about changes to drivers, route or timing while there's still time to confirm them, and share the remaining jobs so they don't all fall to one tired person.