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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 /
J.Hale

November 6, 2025

Destination: Southampton

10ideal vehicle for touring

Car was ideal for our needs and exceeded expectation

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Anonymous

November 2, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Extremely satisfied.

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Anonymous

October 31, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Super satisfied, big shoutout to the car rental company!

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Anonymous

October 31, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very efficient.

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Anonymous

October 29, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The staff were very patient, and I was able to rent a car smoothly even without the original documents. Changing the drop-off location midway was also super easy. Extremely satisfied!

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Betty Roosevelt

October 28, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The rental company is quite good, with friendly service. They offered a routine insurance upgrade promotion, but after declining, they didn't insist. The car return process was fairly quick—overall, not bad.

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Jessica MacArthur

October 28, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Overall service was good, and the car pickup was quick. However, they kept pushing insurance sales, and I couldn't resist spending an extra 3,000 yuan on insurance, which I regret.

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Ferdinand Bart

October 28, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Europcar has a large area with no need to queue, and the efficiency is very high.

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Kama Boswell

October 27, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

However, they promote insurance and vehicle upgrades and sometimes add services without consulting.

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Sabrina Salome

October 27, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Edinburgh Airport is relatively easy to locate. The staff had a bit of an accent, but it didn't affect communication. The only issue is that inspecting the car at night can be challenging.

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Zara Hodgson

October 26, 2025

Destination: Belfast

10Excellent

Efficient and clear explanations.

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Brady Eugene

October 26, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

I previously heard that many car rental companies in the UK use tricks, but this one was quite good. Although they did mention once or twice about upgrading to a more expensive car or adding insurance, once I firmly declined, there was no further pushing. This level is understandable. Overall, everything went smoothly.

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Phoebe Hicks

October 24, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

8Very good

The service attitude was acceptable, but the vehicle's condition was not good. The engine oil warning light was on when picking up the car, indicating low oil levels. I had to buy and add oil at a gas station myself. During driving, the wheels often slipped, and the vehicle felt unstable.

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Aaron Ricardo

October 23, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

I must write a detailed review for this perfect car rental experience! This time, I rented a Citroën SUV and discovered it had only been driven for over 7,000 kilometers—it was practically a brand-new car! The interior and exterior were spotless, as if it had just rolled out of the showroom, instantly boosting my impression of the store. Once I hit the road, the car's performance completely won me over—quick and responsive power, solid and stable handling, and a chassis that absorbed shocks with a refined feel, far exceeding my prior perceptions of the Citroën brand. Honestly, this rental experience made me rethink the brand, with driving quality so impressive that it even sparked thoughts of buying one myself! Beyond the vehicle, the store’s service was professional and efficient; the pick-up and drop-off process was smooth, and the staff were friendly. This experience taught me that a quality car rental company can not only provide convenience but also deliver delightful surprises. Absolutely five stars—if I ever need to rent a car again, I’ll definitely choose this place!

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Gwendolyn Elinor

October 22, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The process was simple and convenient.

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Michael Marner

October 21, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Excellent experience, very efficient return process.

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Ives Barton

October 20, 2025

Destination: Birmingham

10Excellent

The waiting time for Avis car rental in Birmingham was acceptable, much shorter than Alamo in Heathrow.

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Sarah Whyet

October 20, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The service attitude was excellent. Although I waited for over half an hour to pick up the car, they washed it beforehand. I originally booked a Peugeot 2008 but received a Peugeot 408. Returned the car at night during heavy rain, and the staff were very efficient and had a great attitude!

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Willie Haggai

October 20, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Provided a free upgrade to a better model, very good.

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Reg Moses

October 20, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

Overall, there were no major issues, but make sure to double-check the charges during payment as sometimes they can be confusing.

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Les Strong

October 19, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Overall it's pretty good. The car pickup was quick, and car exchange was also relatively fast. There was no forced insurance upselling.

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Fanny Gibbon

October 18, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

The rental location is in a parking garage, just across a bridge from the train station, making pickup and drop-off quite convenient. The staff were friendly and helpful. When returning the car, some scratches on the vehicle weren’t recorded beforehand, so we had to show the photos from pickup as proof. However, they weren’t overly strict and showed reasonable trustworthiness. Make sure to record a video and take photos of the vehicle before pickup.

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Judith Gracie

October 14, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The staff was very professional and did not push products. The return process was quick and hassle-free, making it a pleasant experience.

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Bob Stowe

October 12, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very good and efficient.

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Cornelius Gill

October 11, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The service was good. At the time of pick-up, they didn’t push me to upgrade the car model or purchase insurance. They simply asked once if I needed insurance. Returning the car went smoothly, and the inspection took less than five minutes. However, there was a small issue. I had booked an automatic MG 3, but when I went to pick up the car, the staff mistakenly gave me a manual Citroën. I didn’t realize it at first and loaded my luggage into the car. Only then did I notice the error. After explaining the situation to the staff, they immediately replaced it with the automatic MG 3 I had originally booked. It didn’t feel intentional but rather an oversight by the staff. Additionally, while waiting for the rental company’s shuttle at Heathrow Airport, there seemed to be some issue with the shuttle service. I waited for over 20 minutes while shuttles from other rental companies made multiple rounds before Budget’s shuttle finally arrived. I almost missed my reserved pick-up time. One more thing: the car I was given had a license plate with the letter "O" in it. The letter "O" and the number "0" are very hard to distinguish, and the rental company didn’t clearly specify whether it was an O or a 0.

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Alan Harry

October 11, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Got a small BMW of the same class, the car was relatively new. The rental company is located outside the congestion area.

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Winifred Raglan

October 11, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The staff at the airport branch overseas were very friendly, the car rental experience was excellent, and the trip was very enjoyable!

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Alan Harry

October 10, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The service attitude was excellent.

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Ula Eisenhower

October 9, 2025

Destination: Oxford

10Excellent

No upselling, good attitude. The only issue is that the store is located southwest of the train station, and the main road in between has been under construction, requiring detours using the ring road. The store is closed on Sundays, so I had to use the drop box.

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Mavis Sandy

October 9, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The pickup process was simple, the car pickup speed was fast, and the vehicle was in great condition, mostly almost new cars. However, they replaced the XC60 I originally booked with an XC40 in the end.

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Pamela Douglas(s)

October 9, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Neo provided excellent service with detailed explanations. The car rental experience was amazing. You can confidently choose the Eurocar Victoria Station branch.

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Carol Hamlet

October 9, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Picking up and dropping off the car at Heathrow Airport T4 branch is very convenient.

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Celeste Jack

October 8, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

They still try to upsell some items, like upgrading the car model or promoting insurance options.

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Melissa Becher

October 8, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

This is my third time renting a car from Europcar. Whether in Europe or the UK, the experience has been great. I will definitely continue using their service in the future!

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Gustave Gold

October 7, 2025

Destination: Glasgow

10Excellent

Very efficient, convenient, great service attitude, highly recommended.

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Elsa Camp

October 7, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The car rental company provided excellent service with high efficiency.

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Enoch Dodd

October 6, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

The rental company is very professional, and their service is enthusiastic. The car rented is either of the same class or slightly higher, and all vehicles come with navigation systems. However, the return inspection is extremely thorough, using lights to carefully check for any potential damage. If you don't purchase insurance beforehand, buying it directly at the store will only cost an additional 100-plus pounds.

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Simona Guy

October 6, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

10Excellent

Upgraded to a Ford KUGA, which was fairly easy to drive. They recommended tire insurance, considering it was my first time switching from left-hand drive to right-hand drive. Since it wasn't expensive, I decided to purchase it.

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Toby Ellen

October 5, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

The service attitude is proactive.

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Jennifer Sapir

October 4, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Boyce Sharp

October 4, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very good

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Penny DuBois

October 1, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Convenient

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JEQEEQ

October 1, 2025

Destination: East Midlands

10Pleasant and efficient car hire experience.

Very friendly and efficient staff throughout the rental process. The shuttle-bus service at LHR is very convenient and speedy, providing seemless car drop-off to deparature terminal. Great experience.

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Merle Gladstone

October 1, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

The pick-up and drop-off process was very quick.

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Irma Houston

October 1, 2025

Destination: Oxford

10Excellent

The Oxford Alamo branch is an excellent store!

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Grover Gabriel

September 30, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Good service attitude

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Faithe Peggy

September 30, 2025

Destination: London

8Very good

The queue at Alamo in London Heathrow was a bit long, business must be really good.

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Henry Reed

September 29, 2025

Destination: Edinburgh

8Very good

The staff kept pushing for insurance (over 300 pounds), but it's better not to buy. The car condition was quite good, which is important for a safe trip.

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Theobald Swinburne

September 29, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

I am quite familiar with the company, but today's car is really not great. The phone cannot cast to the screen, and the navigation system is not user-friendly. Additionally, the car is not comfortable to drive and feels a bit unstable.

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Mortimer Adams

September 27, 2025

Destination: London

10Excellent

Very convenient

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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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