It makes sense you need a valid driving licence to obtain a UK car hire. But what are the little driving licence details you should know before you attempt to rent a car?

In the UK, all drivers must have their full licence for a minimum of 12 months prior to renting a car. Both parts of the driving licence must be presented at the company when choosing a car hire. This include the photo card and the paper counterpart of the driving licence. At no time are photocopies acceptable. You should also have additional identification to confirm your identity, such as a second credit card, a passport or a utility bill from within three months from the same address as your driving licence.

If you have points on your driving licence, you can still rent a car with up to 6 points. However, if you have more than 6 points on your driving licence, you are usually not allowed to get a car hire. For drivers with a DD, DR or BA within the last 10 years, it is unlikely you will be able to hire a car. If you have drunk driving or no insurance offences, it will inhibit your ability to get a car hire for up to 5 years or longer.

For drivers unable to locate their driving licence, in some situations a DVLA licence check can be done with 3 forms of photo identification. These checks are done when the DVLA office is open during business hours on Monday through Friday, with limited hours on Saturday mornings. There is a fee to check driving licences through the DVLA.

If you are visiting the UK, you must also have your driving licence for at least 12 months prior to renting a car and must be entitled to drive the group car chosen. For those who have a driving licence not written in English, an international driving licence in English must accompany the foreign driving licence.

When you know what to expect, you can have your driving licence, indentification and paperwork in order so the car hire process goes smoothly. Remember to bring originals as photocopies are never acceptable for a rental vehicle.

When you decide to visit the UK to tour the scenic country in a car hire, get familiar with the regulations for driving first. Knowing the rules of the road in the UK ensures your trip is pleasant. After all, you cannot enjoy your holiday if you wind up paying fines or even going to prison because you are unfamiliar with the local regulations.

You can drive a rental car with your national license in the UK as long it is in a language with Roman numbers and letters. If you have a license other than one from the UK, you need to have an international driving permit in English. Your drivers license must be carried with you all the times when you are in the UK.

Now that you have your car hire, you are ready to start driving the roads for new adventures. The rules in your country may be different, so carefully consider the regulations in the UK. Remember to drive on the left side of the road and pass on the right. If you speed or drive dangerously, there are severe penalties including imprisonment so engage caution before driving. Drinking and driving incurs steep fines and prison sentences so don’t drink and drive. Radar and speed cameras are used to determine whether a driver is exceeding the speed limit.

Carefully observe roadside signs, usually indicating speed limits of 30 miles per hours to 70 miles per hour depending on the type of road. Always wear seat belts in all seats in the front and back of the car hire. Children under 12 years old are not to sit in the front seats unless they are youngsters in infant or booster seats. Always be polite to UK drivers and police as this is the proper protocol. Fines incurred in rental cars may be charged to your credit card so be careful to observe the rules when driving and parking.

When parking, the restrictions are shown on signs. If there are yellow lines on the roadside, you cannot park in that area. There is no stopping for any reason near double yellow lines. There are parking metres and machines called “Pay and Display” where you pay to park. The maximum parking time you are allowed in most paid parking areas in the UK is two hours.

Finally, make sure you fill up with the right kind of fuel for your rental car. The car hire may use unleaded super 95/98 petroleum or diesel. Most service stations in the UK accept debit and credit cards for payment but verify before you start to get your gas.

When you are well-prepared for your UK holiday and car hire, you are certain to have a wonderful time!

We’ve discussed the benefits of renting a car for both short term and long term use. A rental car is the perfect way to drive in style without paying top dollar for car payments, insurance and ongoing maintenance. You can change your car whenever you want so you can drive a luxury sedan to that important meeting or a sporty convertible on a special date. But what exactly to you need to start renting a car?

When you are well-prepared, the car rental process is quick and smooth. Bringing along the proper documents ensures a speedy interaction so you can on the road right away. Whether you are a local or traveling, having the following documents ensures you get the vehicle you want, when you want it:

• a valid drivers license;
• a current passport;
• your actual credit card so identifying numbers and marks may be taken – the card should bear your name;
• additional proof of your name and address, such as a current utility bill; and
• any automobile insurance policies you may currently have to assist you in deciding whether extended insurance cover is necessary.

If you are a UK driver, you must bring your photocard driver’s license and the accompanying driver record document. On occasion, car rental companies ask questions regarding the personal driving record of a potential renter. If the renter’s driving history does not meet the company’s established criteria, the car rental may be denied. This helps to control insurance and liability costs for all car renters. There are companies that accept high risk drivers, so do your research before trying to rent your dream vehicle.

When you rent a car, you can also add additional drivers. Some companies charge a fee for this convenience. An additional drive must meet the minimum age requirements designated by the car rental company and have their own driver’s license and credit card. Your additional driver should also have a clean driving record. This ensures you will get your desired rental vehicle and you won’t be dealing with unwanted accidents caused by a well-meaning friend or family member with a poor driving record.

Renting a car is an easy process when you bring a few simple documents to verify your identity, driving record and ability to pay. Once you get through the process, you can rent the vehicle of your choice for any reason. Go on an extended holiday, show off your success at a reunion or simply experience the rush of driving around in your dream car.

A long term car rental offers many benefits to the driver. Instead of having the responsibility of car ownership, a driver can enjoy the vehicle of their choice for one consistent price. A increasing number of business people, parents and teens are taking advantage of long term car hire to meet their transportation needs.

Business Benefits

A car hire enables business people to choose a car based on their weekly or monthly schedule. Whether a business person wants a hired driver for a special meeting or an economy sedan for a long trip, a rental car can be immediately customized the meet the need. Business records are easy to keep because they are simply based on the car hire costs. There are no worries about specialized business insurance. No matter how long the business trip is, repairs to the vehicle are covered.

Parental Benefits

Taking a family vacation can be a disaster if the car breaks down. A rental car is covered anywhere and anytime during emergencies so parents feel reassured they won’t be stranded with their little ones. For everyday use, the budgeting is simple because all the expenses of the vehicle are covered in the rental fee. There are no car payments, insurance costs, warranty bills or repairs costs to exhaust the budget when you have a long term car rental. Best of all, you can exchange the car at any time to meet your growing family’s needs. As you have more children or your children get older, you can trade in a sedan for an SUV or an economy car for a mini-van.

Teen and Young Adult Benefits

Teens can hire a car to try various models while they earn money to buy their dream vehicle. Trying before you buy is a wise way to make your first major investment. By trying out rental cars on a long term basis, first time drivers can discover their favorite vehicles. A teen may be surprised to discover they prefer a luxury sedan to that sports car they always wanted. Young adults attending college have the luxury of a car for summer use without maintaining vehicle expenses throughout the school year. Students staying on campus don’t need a car and its related costs during the school year. A long term car rental is the perfect way to get on the road for summer fun and during college breaks to visit family.

Senior Benefits

A long term car rental is great for seniors on the go who don’t want the trouble of keeping up with vehicle maintenance and expenses. Visit family, take a vacation or just go for a long Sunday drive in the car of your choice. Feel reassured that breakdowns are covered no matter where you are. Best of all, you only pay to have the car when you need it.

A long term car rental is an affordable, convenient means way for people of all ages to get on the road in style.

Car hire companies have a bad reputation for over-charging customers and piling on extra surcharges for damages, fuel consumption and mileage that has nothing to do with the renter. Hopefully, this quick guide will let you know what to look out for when renting a car abroad.First of all, shop around before you go. The internet is an invaluable tool for this, and you can ask friends which rental companies they’ve used too. Booking well in advance can get you great discounts, and if you book with a popular group, you may be able to get a free upgrade.

Finally, before driving away, perform some perfunctory maintenance checks. This includes checking the brakes, headlights (in some countries it’s mandatory to have them on at all times), wipers and washers, indicators and locks are all working. It’s also worth looking at the oil and water levels, and checking the tyre pressures at the nearest garage. If they haven’t already been offered, ask for the car’s manual and contact numbers in case of any problems.

Check the stated times of collection and return. This is where many unscrupulous rental companies can sting you. If your return time is even half an hour later than your collection time, you could be charged for an extra day. Try and make sure you return the car on or before the collection time to avoid this.

Decide who is going to be driving the car. As in the UK, drivers between the ages of 25 and 75 are seen as the safest, so keep this in mind when selecting your main driver. Some car rental firms will rent to 18 year olds, but the costs are likely to be higher. Likewise, having an additional driver on the rental agreement can bump up the cost, regardless of age.

One of the biggest scams pulled by car hire companies is charging you for existing damage. With this in mind, check over the car thoroughly before you drive it away. Some firms will present you with a written list of existing damage, so compare this to the car. If you notice anything that isn’t on the list, point it out, and try to take pictures with your camera (showing the date) or mobile phone. This will prove that the damage didn’t occur while the car was in your possession.

If your car hire contract promises a full tank, check this too before driving away. Some hire companies charge you for the difference between the fuel level on return and the amount to fill up. This is almost always more than the pump price, so by filling it up yourself and keeping the receipt, you can avoid this charge.

If you’re travelling with a small child, it may be a legal requirement for there to be a child seat fitted. These are usually added onto the cost of car rentals, and fitted by the hire company. When you pick up your car, check that the seat is secure.

Finally, before driving away, perform some perfunctory maintenance checks. This includes checking the brakes, headlights (in some countries it’s mandatory to have them on at all times), wipers and washers, indicators and locks are all working. It’s also worth looking at the oil and water levels, and checking the tyre pressures at the nearest garage. If they haven’t already been offered, ask for the car’s manual and contact numbers in case of any problems.

[tags]international, car, hire, abroad[/tags]