 | | | | | UK United Kingdom, Great Britain, Scotland, Wales
General Driving Information
Directions, Restrictions and Rules, Safety, Motorists' Forum |  |  | | Overview |  | | General Info
History greets you on the roads of the United Kingdom. It may take a little time to adjust to driving on the "other side of the road", but the sights are well worth the effort. Visit Stratford-on-Avon the birthplace of William Shakespeare or drive to the White Cliffs of Dover in the south. London is filled with some of the most historic sites in the world and all easily accessible by car. Requirements
To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Some suppliers have a maximum age limit of 69 years old. Seatbelts are mandatory and children up to age 3 must be in a child seat. Speed Limits
Speed limits in the United Kingdom are as follows: City 30mph/48kph Open Roads 60mph/96kph Highways 70mph/112kph Rules of the Road
Traffic travels on the left and you always want to turn left when entering a roundabout (traffic circle). Cars are equipped with the steering wheel on the right hand side of the vehicle. Fuel
Gasoline is quite often called petrol in the United Kingdom. Some gas stations found along the expressways are open 24 hours. Tolls
There are no toll highways in the United Kingdom. Parking
There are meters where you can buy a ticket and display this on your windshield. When there is a red line painted on the curb or a double yellow line, parking is prohibited. | | Car Rental Restrictions | | General Information
Most car categories can be driven anywhere in Western Europe, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Ireland. However, it is necessary to purchase additional coverage for travel outside mainland UK. This coverage costs US$17 - US$30 per day and covers roadside assistance, greencard insurance, and customs and excise forms to take cars on ferries. Due to insurance regulations, there are restrictions on luxury car categories and on travel in certain countries. Please take a minute to ensure that your intended itinerary will be possible with the car you plan to rent. Restricted Countries
Cars rented in the United Kingdom can travel to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Western Europe. There are additional insurance fees that apply for these rentals. Cars rented in the UK are not allowed into the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Yugoslavia. Luxury cars are not allowed into Italy. One-Way Rentals
Domestic one-way rentals are unrestricted and free of charge. There are fees for international one-way rentals and rentals to Northern Ireland, and not all vehicles are allowed. | | Useful Terms | | ATM - hole-in-the-wall
Battery - accumulator
Breakdown lane - lay-by
Convertible top - hood
Dashboard - fascia or facia
Fender - wing
Glove compartment - cubby box
Car hood - bonnet
Muffler - silencer
Outlet - power point
Overpass - flyover
Oil pan - sump
Parking lot - car park
Rotary - roundabout
Sedan - saloon
Subway - underground or tube
Tire - tyre
Traffic jam - tail back
Trailer - caravan
Truck - lorry
Trunk - boot
Tractor-trailer - articulated lorry or artic
Very large truck - juggernaut
Windshield - windscreen | | General Driving and Safety Tips | The first thing you may notice when driving in a foreign country is that the roadway signs are different. In many countries, the speed limit is posted in kilometers, and warnings will be written in the country's native language. Sometimes, speed limits are not posted at all, and drivers will travel much faster than the driver is accustomed to traveling. Depending on what part of the world you are driving in, you may find that travellers drive on the left-hand side of the road and that the steering wheel is located on the right-hand side of the car.
Check to see if the country where you will be driving requires mandatory equipment in the vehicle. Frequent mandatory items include: first aid kit, reflective warning triangle, reflective vest, spare fuses and light bulbs, fire extinguisher.
It may be wise to practice driving in a less populated area before you try to drive in a foreign city at rush hour.
Know your route of travel.
Chart your course of travel before you take to the road, and keep a good map with you.
Always have at least one-half tank of gas.
Make sure that the lights, signals, horn, and brakes work properly.
Avoid driving after dark, especially in rural areas.
Always park in places that have good lighting.
Always use safety belts. Some countries have penalties for violation of seat belt laws.
After exiting or entering the car, lock the doors.
In many countries, driving while under the influence is a very serious crime that could result in severe criminal penalties. Never drink and drive.
Avoid riding motorcycles. If you do ride a motorcycle, make sure you wear a helmet.
Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry your IDP and your both, the National and the International, driver's license with you at all times.
Look at maps and plan your route thoroughly. Check for online maps and route planning systems.
Research the roads you’ll take. You’ll especially want to know if you’ll be traveling through areas of major road construction. Ensure the maps you are using are up-to-date. Check the roads before you go!Make estimates of travel times along the route, so you’ll have an idea when you’ll be at certain points on your trip. This will help you to plan rest and meal stops. It will also help you plan to avoid traveling through a major city or area of road construction during rush hour.Get the car checked, especially the filters, belts, fluid levels and have the oil changed. Don’t wait until the last minute, it may take time to get an appointment and parts may need to be ordered. You also want some time to drive around town and make sure that whatever they fixed stays fixed.Check the condition of your wiper blades.
Check the operation of your turn signals, brake lights as well as the high and low beams.
Examine the tread on your tires.
Make sure your car is prepared for the weather it will encounter on your trip.
Today, many cars have alloy wheels instead of hubcaps. These wheels usually have a lock to prevent them from being stolen. If you have a car with wheel locks, make sure you know where the key is stored (often with the jack). Otherwise, a flat tire will become a major problem since you won't be able to get the wheel off the car.
Get your car cleaned. You’ll feel better in a clean car.Pack an emergency kit in your car. Include motion sickness medication if anyone in your group suffers from it. Remove any items from the car that you won’t need on your trip.Prepare some on road entertainment for your trip. Include games and CDs of music and/or audio books.
Check your plates, registration and insurance information to make sure they are all valid. Be sure to place your insurance company’s emergency contact number in your car.Check your insurance for expiration dates and coverage for your automobile.
Safety First
Seat Belts: No matter where you are driving, it is imperative that you wear your seat belt. Almost all countries this is a strict law, but aside from that seatbelts are there to save your life, so make use of them.
Avoid the temptation of road rage. Honking and yelling at the drivers around you is probably more likely to make someone get out their tire iron than to help get traffic moving. Be patient.
Drive carefully and slowly in wet and windy weather. If possible, stop and wait for the weather to settle down.
Fully service your car before leaving and ensure everything is running correctly. Local Regulations
It is wise to learn in advance the rules and regulations of the country to which you are traveling. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than they are at home. Exercise good judgment and remember that some countries have a "zero tolerance" policy with severe penalties for those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Drug violations, firearms possession, photography of government or military installations, and antiques purchases are frequent cause of detention by local authorities. |
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