Dreaming of an adventure through charming English villages or across the rugged Scottish Highlands? Renting a car in the UK is your best plan for these types of trips. I’ve lived in the UK since 2021 and have rented cars here many times. In this article, I’ll show you the exact process I use to rent a car in the UK, and share what to expect from the experience.
First of all, you’re probably wondering about the best place to rent a car in the UK. I recommend and use Discover Cars to find the best car rentals. I find they are the best for several reasons:
- They search across multiple international and local companies, so you can find the best deal
- They offer FREE cancellation up to 48 hours before your rental starts
- They offer inexpensive full coverage car insurance (in case of surprise pothole or driving on the left disaster)
Ready to make the UK car rental process a lot less confusing? Let’s dive in.
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Renting a Car in the UK with Discover Cars
I recommend Discover Cars because I’ve always been able to find the best deals when I search with them, and with free cancellations up to 48 hours before your reservation it’s easy to keep your plans flexible.
Here is the exact process to secure your rental car with Discover Cars:
1. Reserve Your Car Online with Discover Cars
Open the Discover Cars website, and input your travel dates and preferred rental location.
Travel Tip: If you will be renting from the airport, make sure you select the airport you are flying into. Flying into London can mean one of six major airports! The last thing you want is to realize that your rental car is waiting on the other side of the city.
Discover Cars lets you set filters on your search, and I recommend that you filter by ratings. I only rent from companies with at least a ‘Good 7+’ rating.
It’s great to get a good price, but don’t sacrifice your experience. The rental companies with lower ratings also tend to be the ones that add fees and extra costs for everything. I’d rather spend a little more to have good customer service when I’m traveling.
Discover Cars secures competitive prices by reserving cars in bulk. UK car rental prices start at £8 (~$10) per day.
2. Choose Full Coverage with Discover Cars
Full Coverage from Discover Cars covers up to £2,600 (about $3,300) of damage to the rental car and associated fees like taxi fares or lost key fines. The cost of Full Coverage is lower than competitors and usually runs between £7-10 per day.
The reason I opt for full coverage when I rent a car in the UK is that standard coverage won’t help you with the most common damage. It’s typical for rental companies and credit cards to exclude coverage for tires, mirrors or windshield damage.
Guess where I’ve experienced the vast majority of damage when driving? Yep – tires (potholes), mirrors (scraping that side wall) or windshield (thanks, random road rock).
What’s covered with Discover Cars (and what’s not covered?)
When you pick up your car, the rental company representative may offer to sell you the company’s insurance. You can decline this if you purchased coverage through Discover Cars. I don’t usually find car rental companies to be anywhere near as pushy in the UK as they are in the US.
You will need to have a deposit hold on your credit card during the course of your rental. When you bring back the rental car without damage, this hold is released. If the car is damaged when you return it, then they will deduct the cost of the damage from your deposit.
Travel Tip: Some rental companies will place a smaller hold on your credit card if you purchase rental insurance from them directly. If you’re worried about having access to funds on your credit card during your trip, then buying coverage directly can make sense. For me, it’s always been a better deal to pay less for insurance through Discover Cars.
After the rental company charges your deposit for damage, you make a claim with Discover Cars through the website. They average 48 hours or less to process claims. Damage costs are then reimbursed to you from Discover Cars up to the policy maximum of £2,600 (this covers a lot).
Travel Tip: I’ve only had good experiences with Discover Cars, but cannot guarantee a result for you. The most important factor for securing a smooth car rental in the UK is to only rent with well-rated companies. Don’t forget to use those filters when searching!
Renting a Car in the UK FAQs
Can American tourists rent cars in the UK?
Yes! It can be a little nerve-wracking to drive on the left side of the road, but Americans are allowed to rent cars in the UK. Many UK destinations like the Cotswolds, Yorkshire, Cornwall, and much of Scotland are best explored by car.
Can I drive in the UK on an American driver’s license?
Americans need a valid US driver’s license from any state to drive in the UK. You need to have had your US license for at least two years. Americans do not need an international driver’s license to drive or rent a car in the UK.
Should I rent a car in London?
If you are only visiting London, do not rent a car. Public transportation, taxis, and your own two feet are more than sufficient to explore London as a tourist. If you want to pick up a rental car in London to head out to the English countryside, then I recommend taking public transportation outside of the city center so you won’t need to navigate London city streets right as you set out.
The most convenient places to pick up a rental car near London are Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Either can be reached by train from central London.
How much does it cost to rent a car in the UK?
The average car rental price in the UK is £18 per day. Through Discover Cars, small cars start at £8 per day, while large cars start at £13 per day.
What kind of cars are for rent in the UK?
The most commonly rented car in the UK is the Hyundai i30 – a small family car that comes as either a sedan or hatchback. Besides Hyundai, you’ll find other brands familiar to Americans, like Kia, Ford, Nissan, and Toyota. British brand Vauxhall, and French Peugeot, are also common.
Rental cars in the UK are often smaller than you find in America, so it’s best to assume trunk space will be limited. Car rental booking portals should tell you how many bags (full-size luggage) can fit in the car type you are booking.
Are most rental cars in the UK automatic or manual shift?
It is possible to rent either an automatic or manual stick shift vehicle in the UK. Smaller rental locations sometimes have limited automatic vehicles available, but it’s usually not difficult to find an automatic at major locations like airports.
Automatic cars typically cost a bit more to rent than manual shift vehicles. If you do not regularly drive a manual vehicle, I recommend booking an automatic to avoid stress. If you do book a stick shift, remember that you will be on the opposite side of the car and shifting with your left hand rather than your right.
What side of the road do they drive on in the UK?
In the UK, you drive on the left side of the road. When you book a rental car in the UK, the driver sits on the right side of the vehicle. This can be a little disarming if you’ve only driven on the right before. Read through my guide to driving in the UK for tips on adjusting.
Is it safe to drive in the UK?
The UK has significantly fewer car accident fatalities each year when compared to the US, even when adjusted for the difference in population. Driving in the UK as a tourist can still be nerve wracking though.
Aside from reading my guide to driving in the UK, consider searching a few YouTube videos for UK driving tips so you’ll know what to expect before you get on the road.
My number one tip for driving in the UK as a tourist is to stick to major roads as much as possible. Roads that start with an “M” or an “A” are closest to American-style highways and freeways. Meanwhile, country roads can vary between narrow and “is this still a road” levels of difficulty.
What are the top UK car rental companies?
Discover Cars searches all of these companies, as well as local suppliers.
Can I rent a car in the UK and drive to Europe?
Usually, no. There are ferries and trains that will carry cars between the UK and Ireland, France, or the Netherlands. However, most car rentals in the UK do not allow renters to take the vehicle outside of the UK.
When you rent a car in Northern Ireland, the rental company may allow border crossings into Ireland. For example, many people rent a car in Belfast and drive down to Dublin. Check your rental agreement to be sure of where you are allowed to travel.
UK Car Rental Insurance Explained
In the UK, all car rental companies provide you with basic insurance. This is usually either Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Both of these cover damage to certain parts of the car or theft of the car – check what is covered on any policy you are offered.
Damage to vulnerable parts of the car like tires, windshields, and mirrors are often excluded from CDW and LDW coverage.
You can usually find what a rental company covers through their website or by contacting customer service.
The type of insurance I recommend for renting a car in the UK is called car hire excess insurance. Excess insurance often covers the whole car (always check your policy to be sure) and will reimburse you for damage costs charged by the rental car company.
As a reminder, here is what full coverage from Discover Cars includes:
How much is UK car rental insurance?
Basic CDW or LDW car insurance is usually included in the cost of the rental. Full coverage with an excess insurance policy starts from £7 per day. That daily price can save you from hundreds or even thousands of pounds to cover vehicle damages.
Does my US car insurance cover me in the UK?
Most US car insurance policies only cover you in the US and Canada. Check with your insurance provider if you have an international plan, but this is uncommon.
What if I have car rental insurance through my credit card?
Credit cards sometimes offer CDW or LDW coverage if you use the card to pay for the rental. This can be helpful, but again is limited to only covering certain parts of the car or types of damage. Check with your credit card provider for full details before you rely on this.
10 Travel Tips for Renting a Car in the UK
- Always rent from a reputable company. I use Discover Cars to search rates at multiple companies, but only rent from sources rated 7 or above on their user review score.
- Look over your rental car before you leave with it. Take photos of any damage like scratches or dents on the exterior or stains or fabric rips on the interior.
- Take a few photos again when you drop the car off.
- The UK driving age is 17, but most car rental companies will not rent to anyone under 21. Drivers under 26 are often charged a higher rate.
- If you need a booster seat or infant car seat, add it when you book your rental or contact the rental company to confirm it will be available.
- Mind your speed when driving in the UK. Speed traps set by police are uncommon, but speed cameras can be found on most major roads. If you are mailed a speeding ticket through the rental company, they will likely charge the fine to your credit card.
- Speed limit signs in the UK are in miles per hour. Keep an eye out for variable speed limit signs that adjust speed limits as you approach areas of congestion.
- Always yield to the oncoming vehicles on your right at a roundabout.
- If you encounter another vehicle coming toward you on a narrow road, you may need to reverse to a spot in the road wide enough for them to pass you. If they reverse, follow them at a safe distance until you can pass.
- Most petrol stations will require you to pay inside at a register, rather than paying at the pump.
Driving in the UK can be a challenge on your first outing, but the rewards are many beautiful corners of the United Kingdom you might otherwise miss. Happy exploring!
Need more help planning?
Don’t miss my seasonal packing guides for exactly what to bring along on your trip!
Planning to road trip after visiting London? Check out this guide to how many days to spend in London.
