Car hire in the United Kingdom

Castles, coastlines and country pubs - the best of Britain is rarely on a train line. Compare car hire at every major airport, city and station in the UK and set off on your own schedule.

Drive on theLeft

Speed limits30 / 60 / 70 mphtown / single road / motorway

Drink-drive limit80 mgper 100 ml blood · 50 mg in Scotland

Emergency999 / 112

CurrencyPound sterling (£)

Usual minimum age21-25depends on supplier & car

Compare airports

Prices at the main UK airports

Cheapest economy car for the same 7 days at each airport.

Heathrow LHR £79£11.22/day · 631 cars Gatwick LGW £56£8.04/day · 492 cars Manchester MAN £78£11.15/day · 490 cars Edinburgh EDI £52£7.40/day · 647 cars Bristol BRS £69£9.91/day · 396 cars

Our own search on 2 Nov 2026 for 23 Nov - 30 Nov, driver aged 30. Search your dates for live prices.

Map of car rental offices

Airports with car hire

Car classes & models

Car classes you can hire across the UK

Check your dates

Economy

from £7.40/day

Small hatchbacks for up to four people; a sensible default for most trips.

274 offers in our search

Compact

from £8.00/day

Roomier hatchbacks with space for a family's weekend luggage.

301 offers in our search

Medium

from £9.63/day

Saloons and larger hatchbacks for longer drives in comfort.

247 offers in our search

SUV

from £7.80/day

Raised seating and extra space - popular for countryside and coast.

733 offers in our search

People carrier

from £8.04/day

Seven to nine seats for groups and big families.

372 offers in our search

Electric

from £12.74/day

Zero tailpipe emissions - check charging at your destination.

228 offers in our search

Classes and "from" prices come from our own search on 2 Nov 2026 for 23 Nov - 30 Nov (7 days). Models are examples - the exact car depends on the supplier.

Where to start

Car hire by nation

Rules of the road

Before you drive

Licence & documents

A full licence held for at least a year plus a passport or ID card. Licences not in the Latin alphabet need an International Driving Permit.

Deposit

Usually blocked on a credit card in the main driver's name. Some suppliers accept debit cards - check the offer.

City charges

Central London has the Congestion Charge and the London-wide ULEZ; several cities run Clean Air Zones. The driver pays them.

Tolls

Few roads are tolled - mainly the Dartford Crossing, the M6 Toll and some river crossings, several of them pay-online only.

Excess: The most you pay towards damage or theft. Zero-excess cover reduces it to nothing.
CDW: Collision Damage Waiver - basic damage cover included in most rates, with an excess.
Full to Full: Collect with a full tank, return it full. Usually the cheapest fuel policy.
One-way fee: Extra charge for returning the car to a different location.

Good questions

Car hire in the UK - FAQ

All questions

What do I need to hire a car in the UK?

Your full driving licence, a passport or ID card, your booking voucher and a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit.

Can I hire a car in the UK if I'm under 25?

Yes - most suppliers rent from 21, with a young-driver fee under 25. Enter your age in the search to see the full price.

Can I use my foreign driving licence?

Yes, as a visitor. If it isn't in the Latin alphabet, bring an International Driving Permit as well.

Are automatic cars available?

Yes, but most UK hire cars are manual, so book automatics early and use the transmission filter.

Is insurance included?

Rates normally include third-party liability and basic damage and theft cover with an excess. Extra cover can reduce the excess to zero.

Can I return the car in another city?

Yes. Tick "Return to a different location" to compare one-way prices; a one-way fee may apply.

Can I take a UK hire car to Europe or Ireland?

Often, with the supplier's permission and a cross-border fee. You'll need a VE103 certificate, which the supplier provides.

Do I have to pay the London Congestion Charge?

Yes, if you drive into the zone during charging hours. Pay Transport for London online - the hire company won't pay it for you.

Which side of the road do you drive on?

On the left, overtaking on the right. At roundabouts, give way to traffic coming from your right.