Car Rental Services In The United Kingdom: What You Should Know

Want to explore the UK and have time on your hands? Taking a road trip is without any doubt one of the best ways of travelling around the country. For your trip, you can easily rent a car and drive to even more remote places without any worries. Renting a car will offer you additional leverage of flexibility, visit any place on the road, stop at numerous lochs, spend time wherever you wish to, and more.

Not to forget that driving a car in a new country can be exciting and satiate your mind. And more importantly, you do not ever have to worry about the timings of trains or flights. If you are planning to hire a car for your trip, here are a few things that you ought to know.

Booking a rental car

A good thing about car rental companies in the UK is that you can book a rental car even from your home, prior to leaving for the UK. Booking a car in advance will help you find better deals and get a car at more affordable prices as well.

There are several rental companies in the UK that you can choose from. You can check their reviews online and pick a company that offers good cars at reasonable prices.

Eligibility to rent a car

If you want to rent a car in the UK, here are some eligibility criteria that you must meet.

1. You must have a valid driving licence for at least a year and you must be 21 years old or more.

2. For drivers who are younger than 25 years, rental companies might charge a young driver surcharge. Though it is not mandatory, it can depend on the engine capacity of the car and its class.

3. The upper age limit for hiring a rental car is 70 to 80 years.

Booking a rental car

A good thing about car rental companies in the UK is that you can book a rental car even from your home, prior to leaving for the UK. Booking a car in advance will help you find better deals and get a car at more affordable prices as well.

There are several rental companies in the UK that you can choose from. You can check their reviews online and pick a company that offers good cars at reasonable prices.

Drive on the left

It is important to know that people in Great Britain and Northern Ireland drive on the left. If you are from a country where people drive on the left, you might not have to make a lot of adjustments. On the other hand, if you drive on the right, the switch can take some getting used to. It is recommended that you do not opt for a long drive after a long flight, as you need adequate rest before dealing with driving on the other side.

Choose the right car

While booking a rental for your trip, it is essential that you choose the right car class and transmission type. By default, most of the cars on offer in the UK have a manual transmission. Ensure that you check the transmission type before booking a car. If you are accustomed to driving an automatic transmission, look for an automatic transmission. They usually cost a bit more.

You will also need to check the type of car that you are opting for. Look for a car that is comfortable and will ensure that you have a memorable trip rather than a worrying trip. Also, the cars in the UK might seem a bit small, but you must consider that a lot of rural areas do not have huge roads or big parking spaces.

Varying speed limit

The speed limit in the UK can change quite considerably depending on the road and traffic conditions. While the speed limit on the highway is 70 miles per hour, it can be 50 miles per hour through some zones and even slower through villages and residences. At times, even the speed can vary on the same road due to work in progress or traffic conditions. Make sure that you adhere to the speed limits to avoid penalties.

Fuel can be expensive

The cost of petrol and diesel in the UK can be higher than what you are used to back home. The colour of the fuel handles can also be a bit confusing. Thus, it is recommended that you take your time at fuel stations to avoid accidentally putting in the wrong fuel.

Inspect the rental car

As soon as you receive the car, make sure that you inspect its exteriors and interiors thoroughly. Make a note of any scratches or dents on the car and notify the same to the rental company. The last thing that you would want to do is pay an exorbitant price for scratches or dents.