Renting A Car In Great Britain – A Simple Guide
In this guide, we take a look at renting a car in Great Britain. Whether you are visiting Britain for leisure or work, you may require car hire. Hopefully, this guide will help answer many of the questions you may have before travelling.
Great Britain itself is made up of 4 countries, which are:
England
Scotland
Ireland
Wales
Renting a car in Great Britain obviously provides you with the freedom to explore all these countries. Not only that but it also allows you to set your own time schedule and itinerary. In this short guide we cover many frequently asked questions, including where to rent your vehicle, what documents you will need and understanding the driving laws and regulations in Great Britain.
Where To Rent Your Car In Great Britain:
There are a large number of locations where you car rent your car from in Great Britain. However, the most popular place are:
Airports
Train Stations
Ports
Cities and Towns
Each of the above locations have their advantages and disadvantages but which one you choose, will be determined on your own needs and requirements.
Airports:
As you can imagine, airports are probably one of the most popular places that people choose to pick up their car. Due to the amount of people visiting Great Britain each year by air, the major International airports are all set up to accommodate passengers wishing to rent a car.
Aberdeen Airport
Belfast Airport
Birmingham Airport
Bristol Airport
Cardiff Airport
Dublin Airport
East Midlands Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Glasgow Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
Manchester Airport
Newcastle Airport
Cities and Towns:
All the major cities and towns throughout Great Britain usually have car hire companies based in them. This is especially so, for the larger cities and tourist destinations. As a result, you will generally find car hire companies located in the city or town centre or close by.
Train Stations:
Several of the larger train stations in Great Britain have car hire companies located onsite. If they are not actually located onsite at the train station, then they will offer collection options from the station. If they do offer this facility, it will be an option during the booking process.
Ports:
Ports are a popular choice to rent a car with many people visiting Great Britain. As a result, the majority of major ports in Great Britain such as Southampton offer car rental.
Tips For Renting A Car In Great Britain:
Book In Advance:
One of the main factors that will determine the price you pay for your car is simply supply and demand. As a result, it is always advisable to book your car hire well in advance. Not only will booking in advance save you money but it will also ensure you reserve the car you want.
Compare Prices:
Always ensure you compare prices with all the different car rental companies. This will ensure you receive the best deal for the dates you require your car hire. One of the best ways to do this is to use a car hire comparison facility. Using a car hire comparison facility, will check all the major car rental companies in seconds and return the best prices on car hire in Great Britain.
Check For Hidden Fees:
Many car hire companies offer packages that do not include any hidden fees. However, you should always read the small print to be sure, before signing any car rental agreement or contract.
Check For Damage:
Unless you have purchased a ‘Zero Excess’ policy, you should always check your vehicle before driving off from the rental company. Look for any existing damage that the car has at the time of collection and make sure that it is noted on your paper work with the rental company, before you leave. If you do not do this, then you may be charged for the damage upon returning your vehicle.
Check What Is Included:
Always check to see what is included in your rental agreement. A few things to check are:
Insurance cover
Mileage allowance
Fuel policy
Additional driver
Legal Requirements For Renting A Car In Great Britain:
The legal requirement to hire a car in Great Britain is 21 years of age. However, the age limit may vary depending on which car rental company you book through. Also, please be aware that drivers under the age of 25 years old may also be subject to an additional ‘Young Driver’ surcharge
Documents Required:
In order to hire a car in Great Britain, you will need the following documents and items:
- A valid driving license. If your driving license is not in English, you will also need an ‘ International Driving Permit’.
- A valid passport for identification
- A Credit card for payment
Car Rental Companies in Great Britain:
As with most countries throughout the world, in Great Britain you will find a number of major car rental companies. These include well known companies such as:
Avis
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Europcar
Hertz
Sixt
All these car rental companies have offices throughout Great Britain in major cities, towns, airports, train stations and ports. As a result, they offer a wide range of vehicles for rent, to suit all requirements and budgets.
Types Of Vehicles For Rent:
As previously mentioned, there is a wide range of vehicles to choose from. These range from the very basic economy hatchback through to the larger more luxury models and saloons. Not only that but you can also hire large SUV’s, 8 & 9 seat cars, as well as mini buses. There really is a vehicle to suit all requirements.
- Compact cars
- Estate cars
- SUV’s
- 4×4’s
- Convertibles
- Minibuses
- People carriers
There are also several different options of cars such as electric or petrol and manual or automatic.
Additional Extras:
One thing you should remember when booking your car hire is that not everything is included in the price. As a result, many additional extras will cost you more money! These additional extras that may incur an additional fee are such things as:
Baby and child seats
NatNav
Additional Driver
Fully Inclusive Insurance
Zero Excess
Summary Renting A Car In Great Britain:
Renting a car in Great Britain is very straightforward, so long as you have everything in place. Understanding and familiarising yourself with the process as well as the regulations before travelling, will help make your experience much more enjoyable. Hiring a car in Great Britain, not only allows you to explore more of this wonderful island but lets you do so on your own time schedule. There are plenty of options with regards to places that you can collect your car from, including airports, train stations, ports as well as cities and towns.
Don’t forget to shop around and compare prices but remember it is advisable to book your car hire well in advance. Check the policy before you book and ensure there are no hidden extras along the way. When you collect your car, don’t forget to check the car for damage and if you find any, inform the car hire company before you drive away.
We hope you found this short guide useful and it helped answer some of the questions you may have had about renting a car in Great Britain.