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.
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.
London
Congestion Charge zone
You need to pay a £15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone between 07:00-22:00, every day, except Christmas Day (25th December). You can find out what area of London the charges apply.
Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
This charge must be paid when a vehicle does not meet the emissions standards and is driven within the zone. The LEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and covers most of the Greater London area. The zone covers the same area as the Congestion Charge. Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone:
£100 per day if the vehicle meets the Euro IV standard (PM only)
£300 per day if the vehicle does not meet the Euro IV standard (PM only)
These vehicles do not need to pay an additional ULEZ charge to drive in the central London area.
Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
If your vehicle does not meet these standards, you must also pay the ULEZ charge. The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25th December). The zone covers the same area as the Congestion Charge. Most vehicles, including cars and vans, need to meet the ULEZ emissions standards or their drivers must pay a daily charge to drive within the zone:
£12.50 for most vehicle types, including cars, motorcycles and vans (up to and including 3.5 tonnes)
£100 for heavier vehicles, including lorries (over 3.5 tonnes) and buses/coaches (over 5 tonnes)
Once you know the registration of the vehicle you are hiring, you can pay before you go.
From 25th October 2021, the ULEZ is expanding beyond central London. You can find out more information here.
Bath
Clean Air Zone
Bath has a Class C Clean Air Zone, which means that charges only apply to taxis, private hire vehicles, vans, light goods vehicles, buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles that do not meet the required emission standards. Check out Bath and North East Somerset Council website for more information.
Birmingham
Clean Air Zone
Birmingham's Clean Air Zone covers all roads within the A4540 Middleway Ring Road but not the Middleway itself. This includes the A38 and tunnels.
The zone operates 24 hours a day, all year round. You can check if you qualify to be charged.
You can also have a look at the Clean Air Zone map.
Portsmouth
Clean Air Zone
This Clean Air Zone will launch November 2021. If you are planning on traveling to Portsmouth this year, please look-up the most up-to-date information on charges.