Do you want to explore the UK capital by car? Great choice! London, shrouded in smog, will certainly bring a lot of pleasant and interesting experiences. No wonder this city attracts many travelers from all over the world. But the UK is not limited to its magnificent capital.
In addition to the bustling and wide streets of London, outside of it you’ll see a wonderful country of patriarchal quiet villages with centuries-old pubs, medieval churches and castles. Probably, in one trip you want to enjoy as many attractions as possible, and a hire car is the most convenient way for this. Such method of transportation is very popular in London itself. However, London is also the ideal starting point for an exciting journey through the country.
If you are planning a trip to London and want to hire a car, first of all check the following tips to avoid any problems during you road journey…
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Where to hire a car in London?
Traditionally, car hire services are provided by specialized companies – both international giants and small local firms. The UK market in this regard is no different from other countries. Avis, Sixt, Hertz, Europcar and other major car hire companies have many offices throughout London: at airports, train stations, as well as downtown spots.
The advantage of large companies is an excellent selection of models for any wallet, and international reputation – any fraud with your credit card data is completely excluded. On the other hand, the company policy here can be much stricter than in small firms.
In any case, it’s better to book a car online, because you can research prices in nearby locations and choose the best one. Also, there are special aggregator websites that allow you to check the available options from all companies at once.
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What documents are required?
The requirements for customers with a non-EU driving license are quite simple: your license must be at least 3 years old and must be obtained in the country where you actually reside.
The standard list of documents consists of:
- a passport;
- a driving license;
- a credit card.
Some small local companies may have a very exotic requirement – to show a return plane ticket.
Of course, the driving license must be valid, and in the event that it’s not issued in the EU, we recommended that you also have an international driving permit (IDP) with you. Also, if you booked a car online, don’t forget to provide a confirmation voucher.
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What are the age restrictions?
The driver’s age plays a big role. You must be at least 21 years old, plus also have at least one year of driving experience to be eligible to hire a car in the UK. However, some companies have a legal basis to increase the minimum age of their customers – most often up to 23 years old, or even up to 25 years old.
This is usually the case when you want to pick up a passenger 7 seater car hire London, or a premium car that requires more driving skills. Age discrimination doesn’t end there. If you are under 25 renter, there’s a very high probability that you will be charged an additional fee as a young driver.
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What insurance type to choose?
Car hire is associated with certain risks, thus, vehicle insurance is a well-grounded decision. There are several main types of insurance that the car hire company will offer you:
- CDW or LDW – the vehicle is insured against damage. The excess is paid by the renter, and the insurance company pays for everything that is charged above this amount.
- Theft Waiver (TW), Theft Insurance (TI), Theft Protection (TP) – provides insurance against car theft. Usually it’s included into each deal.
- Third Party Liability Insurance (TPI or TPL) – insurance that covers the property of third parties as a result of an accident due to your fault
- Medical or Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) – this type of insurance covers the medical costs of the driver who is involved in an accident.
- Super CDW (SCDW) or SuperCover – will be able to fully cover all the damage if you become the culprit of the accident, and the car received minor scratches or was badly damaged. A novice driver should take just such insurance!
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What are the major driving features in London?
Remember some rules to avoid problems and unexpected situations:
Left-hand traffic. Sometimes there can be certain difficulties with this, but according to the experts and driving instructors, a few hours on the road is enough to adapt, even for less-experienced drivers.
Speed limits. Be careful, because in the UK, road signs indicate not the kilometers, but miles.
Permissible speed:
- within the city – 30 miles per hour (48 km/h);
- outside the city – 60 miles per hour (95 km/h);
- on the motorways – 70 mph (110 km/h).
Congestion Charge. You will have to pay a Congestion Charge to travel to many central London areas. If you see a road sign with such an inscription, then it will cost you £11.50, and that’s not including parking. Congestion Charge is valid only on weekdays from 07 am till 6 pm.
