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.
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 LimitThere 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 SignsTraffic 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.
 Give Priority to Vehicles from Opposite Direction |  Give Way to Traffic on major road |  No Vehicles Except Bicycles Being Pushed |  No Overtaking |  No Waiting |  No Stopping(Clearway) |
Warning signs are mostly triangular with a red border.
 Roundabout |  Uneven Road |  Two-way Traffic on Route Crossing Ahead |  Wild Animals |  Level Crossing WIth Barrier or Gate Ahead |  Level Crossing Without Barrier or Gate Ahead |  Level Crossing Without Barrier |
Information signs in the UK are rectangular with various colour backgrounds.
 Primary Route Forming Part of a Ring Road |  Entrance to Congestion Charging Zone |  Hospital Ahead with Accident and Emergency Facilities |  Tourist Information Point |
Click here for a complete road signs guide in the United Kingdom.
Seatbelt LawsAll 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 LawsChildren until the age of 12th or the height of 135cm should be placed in an appropriate seat for their height and weight.
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
(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.
(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 PricesThe 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.
TollCurrently, 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.
(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 EasyRentCars' 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.
DUI LawsExcept 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 FinesThe 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 EasyRentCars’ customer service team if you believe you have been charged incorrectly.
Q1.What is an insurance excess？
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
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GRS
2018.11.19 Destination: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Car was brand new
Hungryhumbug
2018.11.20 Destination: Birmingham
EasyRent: Quick confirmation, good value, good advice and speedy response by email, outside of office hours. Hertz: Good value, location and efficient staff.
M.KARIM
2018.11.19 Destination: London
Vehicle in good condition
K.Spackman
2018.11.18 Destination: Leeds
You check-in was responsive, and assisted when a minor issue arose ( my thinking in US$, while you were in ponds- my fault, not your). Your representitive Florino ( I hope I spelt that correctly) at Leeds/Bradford airport, was particularly helpful.
F.PISCOPO
2018.11.17 Destination: Manchester
The condition of the car was good as new
Kamil
2018.11.15 Destination: London
Brand new car, only 500 miles done.
C.Bagust
2018.11.16 Destination: Edinburgh
Great check in staff. Great car with good mileage.
J.Hudson
2018.11.14 Destination: Edinburgh
Smooth process from start to finish.
Anon
2018.11.14 Destination: Bristol
Easy to find pick up etc
P.Kenny
2018.11.14 Destination: Birmingham
At Birmingham Airport Easirent the staff are always very friendly and welcoming. Khan is extremely warm and jovial. It's nice to see this trait in people.