Rental Guide

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.

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.