Rental Guide
Driving in the UK
Roundabouts
The UK has a large number of roundabouts. While European visitors may be familiar with them American visitors may not. The simple rules of a roundabout are:
- Always give way to all traffic from your right.
- Always travel in a clockwise direction even if it means you have to go all the way round to get to your junction.
Driving licence and insurance
The holder of an overseas driving licence may, for a period of up to one year, drive a motor vehicle in Britain. EU drivers must possess a driving licence and either a passport or ID card.
Drivers outside the EU must possess a valid domestic driving licence with English translation. If English translation is not available, an international driving permit is required in addition to a domestic driving licence. A passport must also accompany a domestic driving licence.
The UK Highway Code
The Highway code refers to rules, regulations and guidelines that apply to every road user that are required to drive safely and lawfully in the UK. Find out full details of the Highway Code.
Speed Limits
On UK roads the speed limits are always in miles per hour and unless stated are:
Car hire
Built up areas
30mph
48km/h
Single carriageway
60mph
96km/h
Dual carriageway
70mph
112km/h
Motorway
70mph
60mph if towing
112km/h
96km/h if towing
Van hire
Built up areas
30mph
48km/h
Single carriageway
50mph
80km/h
Dual carriageway
60mph
96km/h
Motorway
70mph
60mph if towing
112km/h
96km/h if towing
Seat belts
- It is compulsory to wear seat belts, both front and rear. Small children and babies must be restrained in an appropriate child car seat or carrier. Child car seats should be ordered when you book your car. See our child safety fact sheet for more information.
Drinking and driving
- It is an offence to drink and drive. If caught and convicted, the criminal penalties are severe.
Using mobile phones
- It is an offence to drive a vehicle while using a mobile phone. Police can issue spot fines, which may be as high as £1,000.
Bus lane enforcements
Bus lane enforcement has been introduced in a number of cities across the UK to help improve the free flow of congested bus lanes, improve the overall traffic flow on city roads and improve road safety.
For more information on the specific bus lane enforcement regulations and penalty charge notices that may apply in the city you are driving in, please visit the cities local council website.
Congestion charges and clean air charges
In some areas of the UK, congestion charges, low emission and clean air zones have been introduced.
In some areas of the UK, congestion charges, low emission zones and clean air zones have been introduced. Before you start your journey, it might be worth checking in advance to see if any of your planned routes enter clean air zones so you can prepare for any charges that may be required.
Find out about clean air zones and if you need to pay any charges on your journey, you can do so in advance.
You should also be aware of UK is toll road charges. Find out how much you must pay to use certain toll roads, bridges and tunnels within the UK road network.