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The Complete United Kingdom Driving and Rental Guide

Consisting of England, Wales, Scotland and North Ireland, the United Kingdom is renowned for its beautiful natural sceneries and a wide mix of architectures, making it an attractive destination country to discover by car. Here are a few basic driving instructions and tips to help you serenely prepare your journey.

  • Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
  • Seatbelt and Child Safety
  • Parking, Fuel and Toll
  • Traffic Violation
  • Driving Licence and Age Requirements

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs

In the United Kingdom, driving is on the left-hand side of the road and overtaking is on the right. Mobile phones cannot be used to call or text while driving. On Roundabouts, drivers on the right have right of way. 

Drivers should remain alert on countryside’s roads, as farm animals and agricultural vehicles can turn out to be difficult obstacles to pass. 

Speed Limit

There are speed limits of 30 mph(48 km/h) on urban areas, 60 mph(96 km/h) in rural areas and 70 mph(112 km/h) in motorways unless signs say otherwise. 

Traffic Signs

Traffic signs used in the UK include signs giving orders, warning and indicating direction or information. Here are some frequently used signs in the UK. 


Regulatory signs feature a circular shape with some exceptions. 

UK Traffic Sign Give Priority to Vehicles from Opposite DirectionGive Priority to Vehicles from Opposite DirectionUK Traffic Sign Give Way to Traffic on Major RoadGive Way to Traffic on major roadUK Traffic Sign No Vehicles Except Bicycles Being PushedNo Vehicles Except Bicycles Being Pushed UK Traffic Sign No OvertakingNo OvertakingUK Traffic Sign No WaitingNo Waiting

UK Traffic Sign No StoppingNo Stopping
(Clearway)

Warning signs are mostly triangular with a red border.

UK Traffic Sign RoundaboutRoundaboutUK Traffic Sign Uneven RoadUneven RoadUK Traffic Sign Two-way Traffic on Route Crossing AheadTwo-way Traffic on Route Crossing AheadUK Traffic Sign Wild AnimalsWild AnimalsUK Traffic Sign Level Crossing WIth Barrier or Gate AheadLevel Crossing WIth Barrier or Gate AheadUK Traffic Sign Level Crossing Without Barrier or Gate AheadLevel Crossing Without Barrier or Gate AheadUK Traffic Sign Level Crossing Without BarrierLevel Crossing Without Barrier

Information signs in the UK are rectangular with various colour backgrounds.

UK Traffic Sign Primary Route Forming Part of a Ring RoadPrimary Route Forming Part of a Ring Road

UK Traffic Sign Entrance to Congestion Charging ZoneEntrance to Congestion Charging ZoneUK Traffic Sign Hospital Ahead with Accident and Emergency FacilitiesHospital Ahead with Accident and Emergency FacilitiesUK Traffic Sign Tourist Information PointTourist Information Point

Click here for a complete road signs guide in the United Kingdom.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Seatbelt and Child Safety

Seatbelt Laws

All passengers over 12 or 13 years, or over 135cm tall must wear a seat belt at all times. Failure to do so could result in a fine up to £500.

Booster Seat Laws

Children until the age of 12th or the height of 135cm should be placed in an appropriate seat for their height and weight.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Parking, Fuel and Toll

Parking

· Forbidden Parking


Finding parking space in town and city centres can prove difficult, especially in the centre of London. Parking your car in the following spots is strictly forbidden and could result in a fine:


- Beyond the time restriction marked on poles, lampposts or even screwed onto adjacent walls of buildings with a single, continuous yellow line along the kerb


- With double, continuous yellow lines along the kerb, which indicates no parking at any time

United Kingdom Double and Continuous Yellow Lines(Image from alphamarkingservices.co.uk)


· Paid Parking


White marked bays with white markings indicate a metered street parking. These are generally "pay-and-display" parking for which a ticket needs to be purchased from an adjacent machine, and displayed on the car’s windshield or dashboard. 


Be careful to check the "controlled hours" which are marked on the payment machines and on adjacent signs (again, usually on lamp posts and on walls). Parking outside the controlled hours is free.

United Kingdom Paid Parking Signs

(Image from eppingforestdc.gov.uk)


When finding a parking spot, we strongly suggest you not to let the absence of yellow lines lull you into a false sense of security, and always look for parking signs or meter machines.

Fuel Prices

The average value for the United Kingdom gasoline price during the period from August to November 2017 was 1.21£ per litre, while diesel is 3 cents higher.

Toll

Currently, there is a single major road - the M6 Toll - and a small number of bridges and tunnels where tolls are collected. Each toll road and bridge in the United Kingdom has its own fee, varying and depending on the type of vehicle you are driving. Fees are collected at toll gates and can be paid in cash or by credit card or by fuel equipment for automatic toll payment.

United Kingdom Toll Road(Image from alamy.com) 


Some car hire companies will debit your credit card in order to pay the tolls on your behalf if you missed paying one (depending on different car hire companies). If you have any questions concerning toll fee billing, feel free to contact QEEQ' 24/7 customer service team for help.


Additional Tips

In London, the Congestion Charge is a £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. Usually, the congestion charge will be collected and informed by the car hire company at the rental desk. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Traffic Violation

DUI Laws

Except for Scotland – whose limit is set at 0.05%, other locations within the UK have a legal blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08% per driver. Driving over the alcohol limit can result in a penalty up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum of twelve months' disqualification. 

Traffic Fines

The minimum speeding fine for an infringement is £100. A notice will be sent to the car’s registered keeper by the enforcement authority. In a renter’s case, the notice will be sent to the car hire company and passed on to the renter. 


Parking tickets usually need to be paid within 28 days. In some cases, the fine is reduced by 50% if the payment is made within 14 days. Failure to pay the parking tickets within the given period will result in the penalty notice being passed onto the car hire company.


In some cases, the car hire company will debit your credit card for the penalty fee and add an administration charge. It is advisable for you to contact QEEQ’ customer service team if you believe you have been charged incorrectly. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Driving Licence and Age Requirements

All drivers must be in possession of a full driver's licence, many car hire companies may require driver's licence held for at least 2 years. The minimum age generally to rent a vehicle in the UK is 21 years old. But the age restrictions may vary by different car categories. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Guest reviews

1 /
Theodore MacAdam

September 16, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

8Very good

Due to language issues, an additional £20 was charged for upgrading the car model.

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Rebecca Eleanor

September 16, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The car pickup process is quite convenient.

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Manuel Gonzalez

September 15, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Servicio de alquiler perfecto

En el mostrador nos ofrecían un seguro que incluía coste 0 ante cualquier inconveniente, y era de mejor precio que el seguro adicional pagado de Axa en QEEQ, con el que te obligan a pagar cualquier inconveniente y luego pedir a Acá que lo devuelvan.

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Armand Church

September 15, 2025

Destination: Belfast

10Excellent

The staff were very helpful. I didn’t realize there were two airports in Belfast. Our booking was for the international airport, but we ended up at the city airport. The reception staff were very nice and quickly arranged a car for us. However, the service during the car exchange was just average. They wanted to charge £70 for a tiny scratch on the tire (we didn't encounter any issues during the rental period and have no idea how it happened; it was raining when we picked up the car, so we didn't notice it). In the end, the rental company didn't charge us, as it seems they resolved it internally. Overall, the experience was smooth, and no extra costs were incurred. It was a pleasant car rental experience.

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Carter Parker

September 14, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very satisfied, both pickup and drop-off went smoothly.

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Denise Robin

September 14, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Highly recommend Europcar. Unlike other rental companies that add extra charges, the initial quote is exactly what you pay, and the final billing process is very swift.

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Alfred Tout

September 13, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Everything was great.

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Merry Lawson

September 12, 2025

Destination: Cambridge

10Excellent

I thought it would be an old car, but it turned out to be a brand-new Golf. Such a pleasant surprise!

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Laura Joule

September 10, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Pretty good. Although the provided Peugeot 5008 was somewhat different from the Mercedes GLB I booked, it was close enough and quite easy to drive.

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Jenny Carrie

September 9, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

The trip was three days to the Highlands and Isle of Skye, covering 600 miles. British drivers are indeed very disciplined, but it's true they don't slow down at turns. On those roads narrower than a two-lane road in China (often lacking a centerline), with a speed limit of 60 mph (100 kph), occasionally you'd see a fast-moving European heavy truck coming from the opposite direction. For someone used to left-hand drive and driving on the right side, it's easy to steer into the curb or ditch on the left. On the Isle of Skye, I even got two tickets in a single day. The first was for overnight parking where charges start after 8 AM the next day—the officer issued the ticket at 8:20 to meet his quota. The second was because parking on roads with double yellow lines is prohibited—foreigners commonly parked like that, and I wasn't paying attention. I confronted the officer (both tickets were issued by the same officer) and explained the official parking lot was full, and he replied bluntly, “Come back another day then.” When I mentioned I already received two tickets, he mockingly said, “Today sure is my lucky day!” I deeply regretted not responding sharply at the time. Later, I appealed online and received a response the very next day stating that since I was a foreigner visiting for the first time and might be unfamiliar with the rules, both tickets would be canceled, which did lift my spirits a bit.

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Jessie Galbraith

September 9, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The staff were friendly, no additional charges, and the vehicle was in good condition.

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Maria Felix

September 8, 2025

Destination: Manchester

10Excellent

The staff provided excellent service, the car model matched the reservation, there was no forced upselling, and their explanation about the insurance was very thorough and responsible. Highly recommend!

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Eleanore Ferguson

September 8, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The service was excellent and patient. On the return day, we could choose between an on-the-spot inspection or a post-return inspection; we opted for the former to confirm everything was fine before leaving. Communication went smoothly, there was no upselling of insurance, and they upgraded the vehicle model. The car was very new, and the driving experience was great.

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Vicky Donne

September 4, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Excellent!

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Cedric Childe

September 3, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Great service

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Lillian Scripps

September 3, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very good, the staff were very nice. They simply explained the insurance options without any hard sell, mentioned them briefly! Everything was explained clearly, and the return process was very convenient.

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Valentina Bethune

September 3, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very good, convenient and fast. Have rented multiple times.

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Andy Carmen

September 3, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

No need to queue, simple procedures.

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Quinn Dickey

September 3, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

I had reserved the car for 8:00 AM but arrived early at around 7:00 AM. Picking up the car was straightforward and very convenient.

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Maxwell Carpenter

September 3, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

The company upgraded the car model to a brand-new Mercedes proactively. The store is easy to locate, and the pickup and return process is convenient.

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Florence Bronte

September 2, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The staff was great and efficient. He informed me that the car I booked was not available and offered a free upgrade to a Nissan Qashqai. He also asked if I preferred a manual or automatic transmission and eventually brought over a Grandland. The car was spacious, brand new, and extremely comfortable to drive. The staff only inquired once about buying insurance in-store and did not push after I declined. He explained the claim process very clearly. Overall, I had an excellent experience.

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Gemma Shaw

September 1, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

Overall it's acceptable, though we were very prepared in advance. We took comprehensive photos of the car, so there were no disputes afterward. Reminder to everyone: make sure to take photos of the car from all angles when picking it up and upload them to QEEQ just in case. We just dropped off the car and are currently waiting for the security deposit to be refunded to our credit card, hoping everything goes smoothly.

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Herman Milne

September 1, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Extremely satisfied! An amazing journey!

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Marvin Curme

August 31, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

Satisfied with the service. Had to wait a bit to pick up the car, but returning it was very fast.

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Michelle Vincent

August 31, 2025

Destination: Lancaster

10Excellent

An excellent car rental and self-driving experience. The staff at the store, an elderly gentleman, was very friendly, talkative, and humorous. The car was thoroughly cleaned when picked up, and the return process was simple and quick.

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Kim Bennett

August 30, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Not many people picking up cars at Luton.

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Suzanne Clarissa

August 30, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Very satisfied with the car rental experience. I originally booked a Mercedes C, but they gave me a Mercedes CLA, and it was the CLA 250 Shooting Brake. The driving experience was excellent.

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Vivien Pritt

August 29, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The car rental process was completed in just fifteen minutes, very efficient.

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Rodney Elsie

August 28, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The rental company is great. The staff at the front desk are friendly, and there are plenty of vehicles available. The car I got was almost new with less than 10,000 miles on it, and it was well-maintained with no noticeable scratches. Overall, I am very satisfied.

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A.van der vliet

August 28, 2025

Destination: Cardiff

10Smooth

Car was collected without issue even with a foreign driving licence

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Cecil Cronin

August 27, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Great service! The staff was very efficient and quick to assist.

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Belinda Alsop(p)

August 27, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Highly recommended

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Barlow Pigou

August 26, 2025

Destination: Derby

10Excellent

Satisfied

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Abel Pulitzer

August 26, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

In some areas of London, congestion charges need to be paid, but it was inconvenient for us to handle it and we couldn't complete the payment. It would be better if the rental office could assist with this service.

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Gloria Louisa

August 26, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

It feels great.

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Cornelia Palmer

August 25, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Everything went smoothly without any issues.

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Bob Stowe

August 25, 2025

Destination: Manchester

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Madeline Surrey

August 25, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The service was great, and picking up the car was convenient.

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Kelly Byron

August 24, 2025

Destination: Manchester

8Very good

Service reminders are still insufficient.

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Rebecca Eleanor

August 24, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Very satisfied, they reminded me in advance.

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Barlow Pigou

August 23, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Good.

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Kama Boswell

August 23, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very satisfactory

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Antony Rossetti

August 22, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very enthusiastic service.

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Wallis O'Casey

August 22, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The overall service was excellent and very satisfying.

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Cecil Cronin

August 22, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Acceptable.

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Nora Violet

August 21, 2025

Destination: Glasgow

10Excellent

There were a lot of people at 9 AM on Saturday morning, but with 3-4 staff members, it was my turn quickly. Very satisfied.

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Regan Child

August 21, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Satisfied

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Aubrey Holmes

August 21, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The rental service was excellent, no issues at all.

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Gloria Louisa

August 20, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Overall satisfied. The pickup and drop-off processes were very quick. The only issue was that the car rental company's phone couldn't be reached.

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Erica Grant

August 20, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

Decent

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Best car rental deals in United Kingdom

Best rates found by QEEQ users in the last 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess?

The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.

Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?

You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.

Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?

QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.

Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?

If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.

Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?

Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.

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