Perhaps it’s that comfort you take in the familiar? Maybe you’ve just grown accustomed to the other’s quirks and curiosities? Or, has a loyalty developed over years of having your hands all over each other?
Whatever the reason, it’s clearly the case that most of us prefer to use our own set of wheels when driving abroad. That said, if you’re visiting the UK from Europe for a holiday, bringing your left-hand drive car to the UK presents a fair few obstacles.
Though it is legally permitted to drive a left-hand car in the UK, it’s certainly not recommended; operating a vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel is a very different experience, and you’ll find it takes a while to grow accustomed to the divergent road positioning required. Overtaking is also significantly riskier.
And that’s before we consider cost implications; insurance for left-hand drive cars in the UK will likely be significantly higher, and you’ll have to get headlamp adapters fitted too, before your car is legally allowed to be driven on UK roads.
Suddenly, that sense of freedom and adventure associated with the open road feels kind of dampened, don’t you think? Instead, there are several reasons why a rental car makes better sense for your trip to the UK. Let’s explore further; here are some top tips and benefits of exploring the UK by rental car.
KEEPING THE COST DOWN
The cost of renting a car in the UK has admittedly risen recently, rising from £35 a day to £45 a day in just six months. This is due to a global micro ship shortage and a squeeze on new vehicle production. That said, there are ways to keep costs down and ensure your decision to rent in the UK is a financially viable one.
Firstly, you should check the fuel policy of your car rental, which will either be full-to-full or a pre-purchase fuel policy. The former involves you collecting the car with a full tank and returning it with a full tank; so far, so straightforward. The latter option, however, allows you to return the car without filling the tank up. The rental company will then charge you for the amount required to fill up the car. Whilst this pre-purchase policy saves you some hassle and is useful if you’re in a rush, it generally ends up costing a little more.
Satnav or GPS is often offered by car rental companies in the UK, too, but at a pretty exorbitant cost of anywhere from £70 to around £140 for a week’s hire. Considering you could just use your mobile phone or even buy a satnav for a similar price, it’s best to opt out of this offer.
Finally, you should also check if your rental agreement comes with unlimited mileage; you’ll often incur extra (sometimes extortionate) charges if you exceed a pre-agreed limit.
PERMITS & PERMISSIONS
You can currently use your GB or Northern Ireland driving licence in all EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland, and vice versa.
For those who hold a non-EU driving licence, you’ll need an international driving permit that UK authorities will recognise. It’s a requirement for renting and driving a rental car here if your driving licence is written in a language or characters different to the country of rental (in this case, English). It’s an easy document to obtain – you can get one from the AA, the RAC of the Post Office – and fees aren’t too obstructive. Do note that the permit expires after a year.
If you’re a UK driving licence holder, you may also need to request a DVLA code before you rent a car in the UK, though some rental car companies may only request your driving licence number. You can find that DVLA code here.
Proof of return travel and accommodation information for your time in the UK will also be required.
Finally, it’s essential that you check the age restrictions of the car rental company you’re considering. Many will specify that you must be 25 or over with more than two years’ driving experience under your (seat) belt.
REPUTABLE RENTAL CAR SERVICES IN THE UK
Regardless of whether you’re looking for car and van hire in Lichfield, London or Liverpool, it’s sensible to shop around before signing on the dotted line. Though there are dedicated car rental price comparison platforms, you’re better off using Skyscanner, Kayak and Travel Supermarket to compare rental car prices, as there is more transparency regarding commission and impartiality.
In terms of reputable rental car services here in the UK, according to Which? Enterprise is the best UK car hire company, with hundreds of branches across the UK, rigorous cleaning protocols, and no charges for cancellations or amendments right up until the day of hire. Which? also highly recommend Auto Riesen, Cicar and Alamo.
The benefit of using such companies is the extra guarantees and safety protocols they afford the customer. If you’re planning to rent a car in the UK, it’s sensible to use a reputable company for this reason.
INSURANCE & BREAKDOWN COVER
Driving on roads that aren’t familiar to you can increase your chances of an accident, so taking out a relevant insurance policy should cover you if the worst happens.
If you are unlucky enough to be stranded on the long winding roads of the Scottish Highlands or in the most rugged and rural corner of Shropshire, you will be glad of breakdown cover if the nearest garage or town is miles away. Knowing you’re covered will give you the chance to truly luxuriate in the freedom of the open road.
All car rentals in the UK should provide you with basic insurance, which typically covers damage, theft and Third Party Liability Insurance. That said, you might want to consider car hire excess insurance, too. Should you have an accident or damage your rented car, you’ll be required to pay the excess cost on the insurance provided by the car rental company. This can range from anywhere between £100 and £2000, according to the Travel Supermarket.
They go on to explain that ‘’Car hire excess insurance waives this fee so that you aren’t left out of pocket – you’re essentially paying a small fee to avoid a potentially huge fee.’’ Well worth it, we think.
ROAD RULES YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF
From one country to the next, each nation across the globe will have their own unique set of traffic laws, some familiar, some obscure. In Switzerland, for instance, you’re not allowed to wash your car on a Sunday; so hands away from the soap and bucket!
In Greece those entering a roundabout have the right of way, which can be super confusing, whilst in Germany, you’re permitted to drive in nothing but your shoes; marvellous news, indeed.
In the UK, there are a few driving laws unique to the country that are worth taking note of:
- Drink driving is punished strictly, and the legal limit is much lower than in some countries. The legal blood-alcohol concentration in the UK must be below 0.08%. Basically, anything more than a single drink will put you over the limit.
- Turning on a red light is forbidden in the UK.
- Do not use a mobile phone to call or text while driving.
- You should use the outside right lane to overtake on motorways.
- At a zebra crossing, you must give pedestrians the right of way.
- There are speed cameras everywhere.
- Beware the congestion charge in Central London.
- We drive on the left hand side, of course!
BENEFITS OF CAR RENTAL IN THE UK
After reading all of that, you might be wondering why you would bother renting a car in the UK rather than bringing yours across the channel.
Well, there are several benefits to daily, weekly and monthly car rental when on holiday. Firstly, you won’t need to worry about the depreciation or maintenance of your usual vehicle, giving you a holiday from worrying about your car as well as giving you an, erm, actual holiday!
You may also find you enjoy a sense of novelty at driving a new car, and you might find that a new driving experience gives you a sense of freedom you wouldn’t perhaps feel behind your usual, familiar wheel.
Lastly, the convenience of airport pickup or branch drop off means you needn’t worry about airport/ferry terminal parking on arrival or departure. Result!
Now we’ve got you in the mood, check out these 5 of the best UK road trips to do with the kids before they grow up. We can’t wait to hear about your latest adventure.