MotorBabuRoad trip checklist for your car or bike
Wedding season, a holiday or a drive home — here's what to check before a long trip, so the only surprise is the scenery.
By Avdhesh Solanki · Updated 16 Oct 2026
A week before
- Service due? If the oil change or a service is due within the next couple of thousand km, get it done now — not on the way. Check what's due.
- Documents valid? Insurance and PUC shouldn't expire during the trip. Check your PUC date.
- Battery over 3 years old? Get it tested — highway breakdowns are expensive.
- FASTag (cars): active and topped up.
The day before
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Tyres | Pressure set cold to the loaded figure in the manual; no cuts or bulges; tread not worn to the wear marks. |
| Spare tyre (cars) | Inflated — and the jack and wheel spanner are in the car. |
| Engine oil and coolant | Between the marks; top up with the right grade. |
| Brakes | Firm pedal or lever, no grinding; brake fluid at the mark. |
| Lights and horn | Headlamps (low and high), indicators, brake lights and horn all working. |
| Wipers and washer | Clear the screen cleanly; washer fluid full. |
| Chain (bikes) | Cleaned, lubed and adjusted to the slack in the manual. |
Pack
- Driving licence, RC, insurance and PUC — physical or in DigiLocker / mParivahan (what's accepted).
- First-aid kit, a torch, a phone charger and some drinking water.
- Tyre inflator or puncture kit if you have one; bike riders: a small tool kit and chain lube.
- Rain gear and a warm layer — weather changes fast in the hills.
Emergency numbers
| Number | For |
|---|---|
| 112 | Any emergency — police, ambulance, fire |
| 1033 | NHAI highway helpline (tolled national highways): accidents, breakdowns, towing |
On the road
- Take a break every 2 hours — tiredness causes more highway crashes than people expect.
- Fill up before the fuel light comes on in remote stretches; CNG and EV charging can be far apart.
- Note your odometer before you leave — you'll see your real highway mileage when you're back (mileage calculator).
Keep your vehicle trip-ready
MotorBabu keeps your services, PUC and insurance on time and your papers on your phone — so there's nothing to check in a hurry the night before. Free, no ads.
Questions people ask
What documents do I need on a road trip?
Your driving licence, the vehicle's RC, valid insurance and a valid PUC certificate. Digital copies in DigiLocker or mParivahan are accepted — see our guide to documents to carry while driving.
Should I get my car serviced before a long trip?
If a service or oil change is due within the next couple of thousand kilometres, do it before you leave. Otherwise, a check of tyres, fluids, brakes, lights and battery is enough. Check what's due with the service due calculator.
What number do I call for help on a national highway?
Dial 112 for any emergency. On tolled national highways, NHAI's 24×7 helpline is 1033 — for accidents, breakdowns and towing.
How much fuel will my trip cost?
Work it out with the fuel cost calculator — distance, your real mileage and today's fuel price.