Driving in the UK is a great way to explore the country at your own pace, especially because the public transport system in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is, quite frankly, crap. The trains are massively overpriced, and the local bus services are sporadic (at best), especially if you plan to visit some of the UK’s more remote and scenic areas. If you’ve also never driven in the UK before, and the idea of driving a right-hand drive car, in the left lane, on a road with other traffic is pretty alien to you, then you’ve landed in the right place, cos this guide will walk you through all the most important tips for driving safely in the UK. We’ll cover driving rules and regulations, ID and age requirements, tips for navigating the more quirky parts of our road network, car rental requirements in UK, how to get the best possible deal on your rental car, parking tips, and some recommendations for some sweet British road trips. So make sure your windscreen wipers are working and go grab yourself a warm pint, cos we’re about to dive in…
1. Driving in the UK
Driving license: You must have a valid driving license. If your license is not in English, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP). Check with your national motoring body or get one quickly here. Keep a form of ID on you at all times when driving.
Minimum age: The minimum age to drive in the UK is 17 for cars and motorcycles, 18 for medium-sized vehicles, and 21 for large vehicles. However…
Rental car age: Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with some companies imposing a surcharge for drivers under 25.
2. driving in the UK: must knows!
Driving side: In the UK, we drive on the left-hand side of the road. This means that the driver’s seat is located on the right side of the vehicle, and that you’ll be changing gears with your left hand. After a couple of minutes you get used to it though, no worries.
Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, and using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal. The legal alcohol limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 50 milligrams in Scotland. It’s almost impossible to safely calculate how much this is equivalent to as your body weight and size, as well how much food you’ve eaten, will all impact this figure, so just lay off the booze completely if you plan to drive.
Speed limits: these change regularly due to roadworks, and various other factors, so there are no hard and fast rules here (excuse the pun). Generally speaking though: motorways and dual carriageways = 70 mph (112 km/h); single carriageways = 60 mph (96 km/h); built-up areas = 30-40 mph (48 km/h+); heavily residential streets = 20 mph (32 km/h). Just don’t drive fast and furious and you should be good 😉
Road signs: in the UK you’ll typically see 1) warning signs which are triangular with a red border; 2) regulatory signs which are circular and indicate mandatory instructions or prohibitions; and 3) informational signs which are rectangular and provide directions or other information.
3. renting a car in UK
There are many reputable rental car companies scattered liberally at British airports, train stations, city centers, and elsewhere throughout our lush wet land. The process of renting a car in UK is also pretty straightforward, regardless of which rental car company you choose. But if you want to save both time and money, then do check out Discover Cars, who aggregate prices from all the big hitters to give you the best value car rental in England. They’re unbeatable on price, and I always use them myself whenever I rent a car abroad, as they operate worldwide.
Pick-up: Most rental companies have offices at major airports, train stations, and city centers. Make sure you have your booking confirmation, driving license, IDP (if required), and credit card on hand to speed up the process.
Car inspection: Carefully inspect the car for any damage before you drive away. Take photos and report any issues to the rental company to avoid charges, otherwise you might cop the blame for it.
Rental agreement: Read the rental agreement carefully. Understand the insurance coverage, mileage limits, fuel policy, and any additional fees.
Returning the car: Return the car on time to avoid late fees, and always leave it with as much petrol as it had when you picked it up, otherwise you’ll get stung with some hefty fees. Someone from the rental car company will probably want to inspect the car with you to check for damage, before getting your receipt.
Insurance options: Basic Insurance is included in most rentals but usually has a pretty high excess (deductible). If you decide to upgrade you’ll typically be offered the following options: 1) Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Reduces the excess but may not cover all damage; 2) Super CDW/Zero Excess: Eliminates the excess, offering the most comprehensive coverage.
Additional fees: Most rental car companies levy a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25, as well as an additional driver fee for adding extra drivers. If your car doesn’t come with built-in GPS, you may be offered one for an additional fee, and those of you traveling with children under 12 (or 135cm in height) will have to shell out for a child seat, as required by law.
4. driving tips in UK
Roundabouts: foreigners seem to panic at the thought of navigating British roundabouts, but once you’ve driven around one you’ll wonder why they aren’t everywhere. Yield to traffic coming from the right and always signal your intentions.
Narrow country roads: be prepared for narrow and winding roads, especially in rural areas.
Using your horn: unlike other cultures, we Brits aren’t really big beepers, unless someone has done something ridiculously dangerous/stupid. If you get a little too horny, then be prepared for some extravagant hand gestures from your fellow road users.
5. UK road trip ideas
The UK offers some of the most scenic and historic road trips in the world. Here are a few must-try routes:
Scotland: The North Coast 500: A 516-mile route starting and ending in Inverness, showcasing the stunning Scottish Highlands.
South-west England: The Atlantic Highway: A picturesque drive from Devon to Cornwall along the A39, offering coastal views and charming villages.
North-west England: The Lake District Loop: A beautiful journey through the Lake District National Park, starting from Windermere and looping around the area.
Central England: The Cotswolds: A drive through the rolling hills and quaint villages of the Cotswolds, starting from Bath in the south and ending up in Stratford-upon-Avon, home of Shakespeare.
Northern Ireland: The Causeway Coastal Route: A scenic 120-mile drive from Belfast to Derry, featuring the Giant’s Causeway and stunning coastal views.
6. Parking in the UK
As with driving in most other countries, parking is one of the trickier aspects of successfully renting a car in UK, especially in urban areas. There are several ways that we do it, including:
Pay and display: Common in cities, you pay at a nearby machine which is located in the car park, and then display the ticket on your dashboard. This means you have to predict how long you’ll be leaving your car there. If you don’t have cash or contactless, instructions to pay via app are usually listed on the parking machine. Only use the app named on the car park notices, despite what the other apps might indicate.
Parking meters: Pay directly at the meter for a specific time period. Much less common nowadays.
Parking garages: Available in most cities and towns, these are usually covered multi-story car parks, where you pay at a machine for the time you’ve parked just before leaving. As you exit, you slot your parking ticket into the machine, and the barrier rises to let you out. Sorted.
Parking in residential areas: In some residential areas, parking requires a permit. Always check for double yellow lines which indicate no parking at any time, as well nearby signs to avoid any unnecessary fines.
Driving in the UK: in summary...
So there you have it, everything you needed to know about renting a car in UK. We hope that you feel confident about driving in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and that you enjoy the freedom to explore its most beautiful and remote corners. If you want to travel further afield during your UK car rental, then check out my post on ferries to and from Ireland, as you could take your rental car with you. Do drop me a comment or an email if you’d like to share your experiences of renting a car in the UK, especially if it differed in any way from my advice here, as it’s cool to get your feedback and perspective. Otherwise, drive safely, and make sure to eat at least one portion of fish n chips in your hire car while it’s pouring down outside. Without this experience, can you even really claim to have been to Britain?!
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