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    UNITED KINGDOM DRIVING INFORMATION

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    United Kingdom Car Rental Driving Information

    Driving Overview

    General Information
    An Auto Europe car rental in the United Kingdom will allow you to discover all the magical things just waiting to be discovered! Shop the day away in London and Edinburgh or search for the loch ness monster in Scotland, with a car rent in the UK from Auto Europe you can do it all! Please take a moment to read the important information below regarding renting and driving a vehicle in the United Kingdom.

    Driving in United KingdomCar Rental Requirements
    To rent a vehicle in the United Kingdom with Auto Europe you are required to have had your driver's license for a minimum of 1 year and be at least 21 years old. If you happen to be renting a vehicle and under the age of 25 years old, you may be required to pay a young driver surcharge of $10-$40 CAD per day depending on the rental supplier. In the UK some suppliers have a maximum rental age of 74 years. Children who are under the age of 3 years must sit in the back seat of the vehicle and in a car seat that is suitable for their size. All children between the ages of 3 and 12 years and who are shorter then 1.5 meters are required to use an appropriate restraint system (car seat, booster etc) or a seat belt at all times and can sit in the front (only if the airbag has be deactivated) and rear seats of the vehicle. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in the UK; high fines could result if you are caught.

    Speed Limits
    In the UK the standard legal speed limits are: city 48 km/h, residential areas 35km/h, open roads 65km/h up to 96km/h and 112km/h on motorways.

    Rules of the Road
    In the UK vehicles are required to travel on the left hand side of the road. When entering a roundabout you must give way to travel coming from the right. Pedestrians have the right of way.

    Gas & Diesel
    Many gas stations in the UK are open between the hours of 7am until 10pm; with stations located along the highways open 24 hours. Gas is referred to as petrol in the UK and is sold by the liter.

    Tolls
    Tolls in the UK are generally only charged when having to cross a bridge. Toll amounts are dependant on the vehicle category and can range from about $4.22 CAD up to $30 CAD.

    Parking
    Parking in the UK is largely controlled by pay and display parking areas where you are required to place a disc on the dashboard before leaving the vehicle. Discs can be obtained at disc machines in the area. 2-hour metered parking is also very popular.

    Insurance Information

    Car Rental Insurance in United KingdomGeneral Information
    Rental car insurance is often overlooked when booking a vehicle in the UK and planning ahead of time is the best way to ensure you're not surprised with additional fees at pick-up. Below you will find detailed information about what forms of insurance are required and what other options are available to you through Auto Europe and the rental car suppliers that we work with.

    One important thing to remember is the insurance guidelines for the country you begin your rental in will be in effect for the entire rental period, even if the vehicle is being returned to a different country.

    Required Coverage
    There are two forms of insurance that are required on vehicle rentals commencing in the UK they are third party liability and fire insurance. All of Auto Europe’s basic rental rates in the UK will include these insurances. Third party liability provides and unlimited amount of coverage to people and property outside of the rental vehicle that may be damaged because of the rental vehicle. Fire insurance provides and unlimited amount of coverage if the rental is damaged by fire.

    Optional Coverage
    When renting a vehicle in the UK there are a few optional insurances that are available to you through Auto Europe and our suppliers including collision damage waiver (CDW), theft protection, super CDW and personal accident insurance. Collision damage waiver and theft are included in all inclusive rental rates in the UK at an advanced purchase discount. If CDW is purchased locally it can cost anywhere from $19 CAD per day up to $49 CAD per day depending on the rental supplier and car category. Theft is also offered locally and costs between $10 and $26 CAD per day. When CDW and theft protection are purchased the supplier will have a deductible that you are responsible for in the event anything happens to the vehicle, which can range from $ 1,300 CAD up to $3,000 CAD. Super CDW is available locally for about $19-$52 CAD per day, which will help reduce the amount of the deductible you are responsible for. Personal accident insurance (PAI) is another insurance that is available locally to provide death and disability coverage to the driver and passengers of the rental vehicle and it costs about $10-$16 CAD per day. Please be aware that optional insurances are available with select car suppliers only and prices and participation are subject to change without notice.

    Rental Restrictions

    General Information
    Auto Europe would like to make sure that you are fully aware of any travel restrictions that may apply to your car rental. If you are intending to rent a luxury vehicle, large van or automatic car there may be travel restrictions due to insurance regulations on those particular categories. Some suppliers may also restrict some vehicles from traveling into Italy, if you have plans to travel into Italy please advise Auto Europe at time of booking to make sure your rental is permitted to travel there. At this time we would like to ask for you to take a moment and make sure the vehicle you intend to rent will be suitable for your travel needs.

    Restricted Countries
    Vehicles rented through Auto Europe in the UK are restricted from traveling into the following countries: Albania, Bosnia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and the Ukraine.

    Rental Car Restrictions in United KingdomNote: Many suppliers will allow vehicles to travel to North Ireland, South Ireland and Western European countries. An additional fee will most likely apply and select vehicles cannot travel into Italy. If you have plans to travel outside of the UK please contact Auto Europe by calling us toll free at 1 888 223 5555.

    One-Way Rentals
    International one-way rentals are available to Northern Ireland only and will incur additional fees. Domestic one-ways are offered in the UK most are free of charge, however fees may apply to rentals 4 days or less. Not all vehicles are permitted.