Car Hire in the UK: What to Know Before You Drive

Stay left and reset your driving habits

The biggest adjustment for visitors from countries where traffic drives on the right is keeping the car on the left side of the road.

• After turning: consciously return to the left side of the new road.
• At junctions: take an extra moment to check traffic from both directions before moving.
• Leaving a car park or fuel station: these are common places to instinctively move onto the wrong side when traffic is light.
• Roundabouts: traffic moves clockwise. Normally give priority to traffic approaching from your right unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise.
• Overtaking: normally overtake on the right and return to the left when it is safe.

UK speed limits: think in miles per hour

UK speed-limit signs use miles per hour (mph), so keep that in mind if you normally drive in kilometres per hour.

• Single carriageways: the national speed limit for a car is generally 60 mph.
• Dual carriageways: the national speed limit for a car is generally 70 mph.
• Motorways: the national speed limit for a car is generally 70 mph.
• England, Scotland and Northern Ireland: roads with street lighting generally have a 30 mph limit unless signs indicate otherwise.
• Wales: roads with street lighting generally have a 20 mph limit unless signs indicate otherwise.

These are maximum limits, not target speeds. A lower signed limit always takes precedence, and road or weather conditions may require you to drive considerably slower.

Driving on UK motorways

• Keep left unless overtaking: once you have passed slower traffic, move back into the left-hand lane when it is safe.
• Joining: use the slip road to build an appropriate speed and merge safely with traffic already on the motorway.
• Variable speed limits: overhead signs can impose a temporary lower speed limit.
• Red X: a red X over a lane means that lane is closed. Do not drive in it.
• Hard shoulder: do not use it as a normal traffic lane unless signs explicitly show that it is open for traffic.
• Your exit: move into the appropriate lane in good time rather than making a late change across traffic.

If the hire car breaks down

On a motorway or other high-speed road, getting yourself and your passengers away from moving traffic is the priority.

• If possible, leave the motorway at the next junction or pull into a service area.
• If you cannot leave, move left into an emergency area or onto the hard shoulder where one is available.
• Stop as far to the left as practical and switch on the hazard warning lights.
• If it is safe to leave the vehicle, exit away from traffic and move to a safe place well clear of the carriageway.
• Contact the roadside-assistance provider supplied with your rental.
• If the vehicle is stopped in a live traffic lane and you cannot reach a safe place, keep your seat belt and hazard lights on and call 999.

Parking and road markings that visitors should recognise

Parking restrictions can vary by street, time of day and local authority. An empty space does not necessarily mean that parking is permitted.

• Double yellow lines: mean no waiting at any time. Loading or unloading may still be permitted unless separate loading restrictions apply, so check signs and kerb markings.
• Single yellow lines: waiting restrictions apply during the times shown on nearby signs or on signs at the entrance to a controlled parking zone.
• Red routes: stopping restrictions apply. Check the roadside signs and marked bays carefully.
• Marked parking bays: check whether payment, a permit or a maximum stay applies.
• Pavement parking: you must not park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland, except where a permitted exemption applies. Elsewhere, you should not park on the pavement unless signs permit it.
• Reserved spaces: do not use bays reserved for Blue Badge holders, residents, motorcycles or other specified users unless entitled.
• White zig-zag markings: these protect pedestrian crossings. Do not stop or park within the controlled area.

Yellow boxes, bus lanes and junctions

• Yellow box junctions: do not enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear.
• Turning right at a yellow box: you may enter and wait when your exit is clear but you are prevented from completing the turn by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
• Bus lanes: check the signs before entering. Restrictions and permitted vehicle types vary and may apply only at specified times.
• Traffic lights: stop behind the white stop line unless the signal permits you to proceed.
• Mini-roundabouts: treat them like other roundabouts, give way as directed and normally keep to the left of the central white circle.
• Camera enforcement: box junctions, bus lanes, parking restrictions and road-user charges may be enforced by cameras.

Rules that can catch visitors out

• Hand-held phones: do not hold and use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe before using a hand-held device.
• Hands-free equipment: you must remain in proper control of the car and equipment must not obstruct your view of the road.
• Seat belts: wear a seat belt where one is fitted and make sure passengers are appropriately restrained.
• School and residential areas: expect lower speed limits and watch carefully for pedestrians, children and cyclists.
• Road cameras: speed limits, bus lanes, parking restrictions and road-user charges can all be camera-enforced.
• Drink-driving: Scotland has a lower legal alcohol limit than England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The simplest approach is not to drink when you are going to drive.

Weather and rural roads

Some UK journeys take much longer than the mileage suggests, particularly in rural, coastal and mountainous areas.

• Rain: stopping distances can be at least double those on a dry road, so increase the gap to the vehicle ahead.
• Fog: slow down and use the appropriate lights when visibility is seriously reduced.
• Narrow lanes: expect blind bends, high hedges and limited passing space in rural areas.
• Single-track roads: common in parts of Scotland. Use passing places rather than forcing another vehicle onto the verge.
• Cyclists, horses and livestock: reduce your speed, be patient and allow plenty of space.
• Journey times: do not judge a rural route purely by distance. Forty miles on minor roads can take much longer than forty motorway miles.