We are visiting Kerala next year and want to know if a self-drive holiday is a good idea? We have driven in many countries and like our independence. Janet Hargreaves, Swindon

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: It’s easy to hire a car in India, but as you can imagine, driving it around yourself is not for the faint hearted. Even most Indians chose to hire a car with a driver when they are on holiday.

It costs much the same either way; Avis (0844 581 0147, www.avis.co.uk) for example, have southern Indian offices in Cochin, Trivandrum, Chennai and Bangalore, with self-drive cars from £132 per week, as against £150 with a driver. Hertz (08708 44 88 44, www.hertz.co.uk) also have offices in India.

Even if you have lots of driving experience, Indian roads are nerve-racking. You’ll be pitted against potholed roads, poor signage, bad driving, and roaming animals, and if that isn’t bad enough, wait till it gets dark, when the roads, and many other cars too, have no lights.

A driver won’t really compromise your independence either, and you’ll save your energy for sightseeing. The driver will know where to find petrol stations, and speaking the local language, asking directions, or dealing with the police in case of an accident, is a lot easier. Nor will he be a financial burden either, as you don’t need to provide his meals, and Indian hotels generally have separate accommodation quarters for drivers.

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