Renting a car as a solo female, American traveler, in the UK comes with a roller coaster of emotions. On one hand – you’re able to experience the incredibly unique and diverse English and Scottish countryside (something you can’t do if you fly). And unlike taking a train, with a car you have the ability to stop wherever and whenever you want. But on the other hand – you’re driving on the opposite side of the road, through small villages with even smaller roads, with your anxiety through the roof.
When I rented a car to drive through England and Scotland (solo) it was a beautiful, scary, and crazy adventure! Something that I will forever remember. This is everything you need to know about renting a car in the UK and whether or not I’d choose to do it all over again.
What You Need to Know About Renting a Car in the UK
While the UK encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; I only have experience renting a car and driving in England and Scotland.
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Car Insurance & Travel Insurance
When renting a car in the UK, you’re going to want to make sure that you have some type of insurance that covers your car rental. You can either choose to purchase car insurance through the agency you’re renting from or from a third party agency.
Pro tip: Before purchasing car insurance, first see if your credit card offers car insurance. The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card does offer car insurance with stipulations!
Another thing to consider when traveling abroad – especially when you’re driving abroad – is travel insurance. If you were to get in a car accident or any type of accident/have a travel mishap, travel insurance will help cover the costs. I use and recommend SafetyWing.
Do Americans Need an International Drivers License to Rent a Car in the UK?
As an American, you do not need an international driver’s license to rent a car/drive in the UK. You will, however, need your passport and a valid, state-issued driver’s license (needs to be valid for minimum of one year) to present when renting your car. (If you plan to drive elsewhere in Europe and want to apply for an international driver’s license just to be safe, you can do so here).
How Old do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in the UK?
There is an age requirement of 21+ to rent a car in the UK. However, some rental agencies require drivers to be 25 years old to rent. When using Discover Cars, you’ll be required to input your birthday. If you are too young to rent, the website won’t allow you to do so which is how you can be certain that you’re old enough to drive in the UK.
Driving on the “Opposite” Side of the Road
As far as driving goes, keep in mind that in the UK you will be driving on the opposite side of the road. This means that the driver’s seat will be where the passenger seat is (for Americans), and you will be driving down the left side of the road instead of the right side. When you pass other cars, in the oncoming lane, the drivers will be closest to one another. Also know that the fast lane is the right lane, while the slow lane is the left lane.
Where to Rent a Car in the UK/How to Rent a Car in the UK
Similar to the states, car rental is pretty easy throughout the UK and works similarly. My favorite rental company to use is DiscoverCars, where you can compare prices across multiple different car rental companies.
You should also know that manual cars are much more common throughout the UK than automatic cars, so if you’re able to drive a manual – you’ll save yourself a lot of money. If you aren’t able to drive a manual, make sure to rent your car with plenty of time to spare because in my experience, automatic cars can all be reserved.
WHAT CITY SHOULD YOU RENT A CAR FROM?
When deciding where you want to rent a car from, there are a few things to consider. The first is, where are you flying into/arriving into? If you’re arriving into a big city (London, Edinburgh, Glasgow…) and you plan to stay in that big city for a while before starting your road trip I would not recommend picking up your car on day one. Not only will you not be using it within the city, but this will just cost you more money and cause a headache when trying to find parking.
Another thing to consider is – will it be cheaper to take a train to a smaller city and then pick up your car rental from there? For example, I flew into London and spent a few days in the city. I then took a train to Bath, England, explored Bath for two days, and then picked up my car rental in Bath and drove up to Scotland stopping in the Cotswolds, York, and the Lake District along the way.
Are you headed out on a solo road trip? Don’t miss:
What You Can Expect When Renting a Car in the UK as an American
As I said earlier, renting a car in the UK comes with its fair share of challenges. There are both positive and negative aspects of car travel vs plane travel or train travel. For starters, with a car, you can completely customize your itinerary – stop if you see something interesting, leave a destination early if you don’t like it, stay longer if you love it, etc.
But there’s also a downside to renting a car. By renting a car in the UK you have to be prepared to drive on the opposite side of the road; and depending where you’re driving, the roads can be very small as you drive through the countryside. Plus you always have to be alert, unlike if you were a passenger in a train or an airplane.
Read more:
Expect to Be Challenged
If you’re an American driving a car through the UK, expect to be challenged. As you drive on the opposite side of the road, you’re constantly gripping the wheel, spatially incompetent, and scared that you might cross into oncoming traffic at any given moment. Your blood pressure only seems to drop to normal levels once you actually park your car.
Expect it to Cost a Pretty Penny
Renting a car in the UK was quite a bit more money than I was expecting to spend. (I would also argue that train travel through the UK can be expensive, so I don’t think that going the train route would have been much cheaper). You also have to keep in mind that you’ll be paying for gas and you might have to factor in the cost of a speeding ticket, parking ticket, or the cost of metered street parking. Also, don’t forget that there is an exchange rate between the US and the UK. America uses the USD and the UK uses the Pound sterling (£). The £ is stronger than the $ so your money won’t go as far. (For example: If you buy a tank of gas for £70, it will cost more than $70).
Again, I suggest using DiscoverCars to filter through different car rental agencies and choose the most cost-effective option for you.
Expect to Feel Accomplished
While there are definitely negative reasons for renting a car as a solo traveler in the UK, there is also an upside! The biggest upside is that you will feel completely accomplished that you completed this road trip on your own! You will have driven on the “opposite” side of the road, filled up your own gas tank, adjusted your own air pressure in the tires, all while navigating by yourself. As you arrive at each destination in one piece, don’t doubt that that takes skill and guts. Give yourself a pat on the back and realize that what you just accomplished is huge!
Final Thoughts on Renting a Car in the UK (as an American Traveler)
It was only once I returned my car in Edinburgh, that I realized how beautiful of a process it was to solo road trip through the UK. For all of the low moments and all of the stress – I had done it. I had driven on the opposite side of the road. I had parallel parked like a boss. I had driven on the tiniest roads imaginable without driving into oncoming traffic. I made it from England to Scotland in one piece. I problem solved on my own, navigated on my own, and figured out what to do when my tires needed air. I no longer wished to “rent a car and drive through the UK” – because I had lived it. I no longer had to ask someone else, “What’s it like driving on the opposite side of the road?” because I had done it. And man did I feel good about it.
So should you or shouldn’t you rent a car as a solo American traveler? If you don’t easily shy away from challenge and adventure, then absolutely. If you’re more of a timid traveler, maybe opt for the train instead.
FAQ About Renting a Car in the UK
Q: “Can I rent a car in the UK with a US license?”
- A: Yes! You need a valid US license (active for over one year) and your passport to rent a car in the UK.
Q: “Should I rent a car in England?”
- A: I love the flexibility of being able to road trip through a country. I think that it gives you a better opportunity to see a country more in-depth so if you feel comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road, I would highly recommend renting a car to explore England.
Q: “How do you rent a car in the UK as an American?”
- A: Just like you would in the states! I recommend using Discover Cars to search through different rental options and booking from there. You’ll receive instructions on how to retrieve your rental car, you’ll go to the car rental agency, pick up the car, and be on your way.
Q: “What are the requirements for renting a car in the UK?”
- A: As an American, the requirements for renting a car in the UK are that you have a valid drivers license (it has to be valid for one year), you have to have a passport, and you have to be 21+ (some rental agencies require renters to be 25). Also, some car rental agencies might require proof of car insurance or make you purchase car insurance through them.
Q: “Should you rent a car in London?”
- A: I would say that you absolutely should not rent a car in London. Not only is this because you can easily take public transportation to get around London, but it’s also because it’s a busy and congested city and challenging to drive in. Plus finding parking would be a nightmare.
For more information on traveling through the UK, check out these posts:
- Solo Guide to a 7-Day Road Trip Through the UK
- 5 Places to Visit in Great Britain that Aren’t London
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you.
Kylee is a NICU nurse passionate about making travel affordable and accessible to nurses. Inspiring nurses to travel both near and far, Kylee began Passports and Preemies in 2017 while volunteering in Skopje, North Macedonia as a way to reach nurses and advocate for the prevention of nurse burnout by traveling. Kylee has been a NICU nurse for 9 years and a travel nurse for 7 years. Since starting her career in travel nursing, she’s worked in six different states, 10 different hospitals, volunteered as a nurse in North Macedonia, worked as a nurse in Saudi Arabia, and has traveled to 45+ countries. Her favorite travel nurse assignment was in Seattle and her favorite destination is Georgia (the country). Kylee is the original creator of the “8 Day Vacay” – a vacation geared towards nurses who aim to take advantage of the potentially 8 days off between work weeks with no need to use PTO.
I was thinking about this and then I read about winding narrow roads and I got spooked. I don’t want to be on the news (American traveler drove off the cliff in Ireland as she tried to avoid an accident by driving on the wrong side). But I want to go to Scotland and Stonehenge so I can’t be at the mercy of trains or busses. I want to cry. If all goes according to plan, it will be 5 countries in 5 days lol. I am also scared of toll roads.
Author
Omgsh yes driving was so nerve wracking!!!!! What did you end up doing?!
It’s not so bad, you will be in a British car so just like in the US if you are sitting next to the edge of the road you’re on the wrong side ! also most of the time you will be following another car.
Just be careful if you park/drive off-road, think carefully before re-joining the road’ remember always give way to traffic approaching from the right.
Roundabouts are not about slowing traffic they avoid crossroads, right turns through oncoming traffic and the use traffic lights, clockwise around the roundabout, when joining all traffic will be coming from the right so wait for a space and pull on.
Narrow roads tend to be in the countryside, most people drive slow or drive at a speed which they can stop if a flock of sheep or tractor is blocking the road around the bend.
Confusing, flashing lights from other motorists, this will either be a) you have pulled out in front of them or b) they are letting you pull out in front of them i.e. from a side road, usually in heavy traffic!
It’s not so bad, you will be in a British car so just like in the US if you are sitting next to the edge of the road you’re on the wrong side ! also most of the time you will be following another car.
Just be careful if you park/drive off-road, think carefully before re-joining the road’ remember always give way to traffic approaching from the right.
Roundabouts are not about slowing traffic they avoid crossroads, right turns through oncoming traffic and the use traffic lights, clockwise around the roundabout, when joining all traffic will be coming from the right so wait for a space and pull on.
Narrow roads tend to be in the countryside, most people drive slow or drive at a speed which they can stop if a flock of sheep or tractor is blocking the road around the bend.
Confusing, flashing lights from other motorists, this will either be a) you have pulled out in front of them or b) they are letting you pull out in front of them i.e. from a side road, usually in heavy traffic!
Author
Thanks Robert!
I’m thinking of doing this on my next trip. It sounds scary, but I am motivated, since you can do I guess I can. Taking into consideration everything you’ve said.
Thanks for sharing.
Author
You can do it!!!! Good luck!
Nice article, thank you for the tips. I have a question I hope you can answer… my husband and I are planning a trip to the UK – flying into London and then want to visit various cities in England and drive to Scotland and Wales. My thinking is there is no need (and probably not a good idea anyway) to drive in London. I was thinking maybe after our stay in London, then we’d rent the car for the rest of the trip. Is there a city in England that is more ideal for car rental? Thank you!
Author
Hi Denise, great question! I would definitely not rent the car in London – you def don’t need it there. I actually took the train from London to Bath for a couple of days and then picked up a car in Bath and started my road trip. You could do something like that! Or you could look into other places near London you’d like to explore like Oxford and see if there’s a car rental company there. I hope this helps!
Very Helpful, thank you so much!!! Can’t wait for my upcoming visit this summer
Author
Hi Ally, thank you for the comment! Have fun this summer!