Have you had any experience of hiring a car in the UK? Renting a car is like renting a house in the UK, even more so than renting a home.
This article looks at how to rent a cheap car in the UK.
What are the car hire websites in the UK? What are the steps to hire a car in the UK?
After all, the UK’s expensive public transport costs are not for nothing. Cheap car hire can save money in the UK.
Benefits of Hiring a Car in the UK
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- Being Convenient. There is no need to waste time waiting and transferring. Wherever you want to go, you can go wherever you like to go.
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- Being Affordable. The cost of public transport in the UK and throughout Europe is relatively high. Hiring a car is considered the most cost-effective way to travel.
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- High degree of freedom. You don’t have to worry about missing a train or bus and delaying your trip.
How to Hire a Car in the UK
| Car hire websites
Renting a car online is the easiest and fastest, with no nationality or geographical restrictions. You hire a car, by the way, while planning your trip.
There are many benefits of renting a car online, with many options and variability. Your conditions if you don’t meet the rules of this car dealership (e.g. 22 years age limit).
This is an excellent time to look for the following car dealership immediately and have enough time to prepare.
–Lastminute
Lastminute is a household name in the UK, offering bookings for flights, hotels, car hire, attraction tickets, lounge and more.
Although there are many similar booking sites worldwide, Lastminute is the most affordable. As their name last minute suggests, they offer a superb range of limited-time seconds. You can book at a great price.
I grabbed a 5-star hotel in London for under £100 and got super high. After that time, I searched this site every time I travel, and I’m often pleasantly surprised.
Lastminute is partnered with some of the world’s biggest car rental companies, such as Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Enterprise, etc. Each company’s deals are presented here. And for international payments, Lastminute is much friendlier than many car hire websites.
–Europcar
Europcar is the most commonly used car hire company in Europe. I’ve rented cars from this site before for my trips to Spain and Italy, and the overall satisfaction was high, from the service to the check-in process.
Europcar has a large number of car rental outlets in the UK. For example, the main airports in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham are very convenient. They require drivers to be at least 22 years old, with an additional fee of £32.50 a day for drivers between 22 and 24 years old.
| Car Rental from Car Dealers
Car rental at the dealership is usually more often when you have not made any preparations before travelling and think of renting a car on the spur of the moment. Renting a car on-site requires filling out a personal information form. If you are driving with more than one person, you must register everyone’s information, which is the same procedure as renting a car online.
It is important to note that when you rent a car on-site, the employees at the dealership will recommend various extra services. Be sure to keep your wits about you.
Another disadvantage of on-site car rental is that there is less choice of vehicles, and you may not even be able to rent a car under exceptional circumstances, for example, during the tourist season or if there is a train strike on the same day.
So, it is advisable to hire a car online when conditions permit.
What Documents are Required for Car Hire in the UK?
| Driving Licence
No matter what country you rent a car, a driving licence is undoubtedly the primary document.
| Driver’s Passport
You don’t need to show your passport if you have a UK driving licence. This is only for those who don’t have a UK driving licence. If you are driving with more than one person, you must show your passport.
| Credit Card
Car dealerships don’t usually support cash payments and will charge your credit card for the fee and deduct a portion as a deposit. If you don’t have a UK bank card, you can show a domestic credit card, which usually works.
Things to Know about Car Hire in the UK
| About the Age of Car Hire
Every company has different rules about this. Some companies require a minimum age of 21 years old, some require a minimum age of 25 years old, some require a minimum of one year’s driving experience, etc. For example, Enterprise requires drivers to be at least 25 years old, and Europcar requires at least 22.
For example, Enterprise requires drivers to be at least 25 years old, and Europcar requires at least 22 years old. For those younger than 22, there is an additional charge of £32.50 per day.
When hiring a car, you need to read the rules and regulations of the car company carefully. You should read the rules carefully when hiring a car so that you don’t incur any unnecessary costs due to age.
| Insurance
When you rent a car, it comes with insurance. However, when you rent a car, you can buy them to strengthen the insurance. Especially if it is your first time driving in the UK, in case the car breaks down or there is an accident during the rental period. This will reduce the amount of money you have to pay out.
Labour is expensive in the UK, and repairing a car can cost hundreds of pounds. Taking out an insurance policy, usually around £10, is also a good idea for a strengthened one.
In addition, some car rental companies are zero-excessed after the insurance does not have to pay a penny. Pay attention to the terms and conditions of the insurance when you buy the enhanced insurance. Some insurance policies have special provisions for front windows and tyres. There may be an additional cost for the windscreen and tyres.
| About Extra Items
When renting a car, the clerk will suggest you buy their various packages, some of which are entirely unnecessary, such as GPS.
Google Maps on your mobile phone is the most convenient and fastest way to drive in the UK, providing real-time road conditions. It will automatically bypass traffic jams and derive alternative shortest routes for you.
Car navigation is unreliable; new roads can not guide you but often lead you to a dead end.
| Car Pick-up
When you pick up the car, you must carefully check all the vehicle details. For example, the door of the car has no scratches. To check the air pressure of the tyres and tyre wear. Check whether the car’s various instruments are regular.
If there is an abnormality, it is best to change the car, or in the case of not affecting the safety of driving, it is best to take photographs for evidence. So as not to cause disputes and unnecessary costs when returning the car.
The fuel in the tank is usually complete when you rent a car. However, the fuel cost is not included in the car rental fee. In the end, you need to add the fuel tank cost when you calculate the cost.
Remember to find out what kind of petrol you use in the car you rent, what size it is and so on. The UK has many petrol cars, but diesel cars are more fuel efficient. Although diesel is expensive, it is cheaper for longer journeys. So, if you travel long distances, try hiring a diesel car!
| Maintenance during Car Hire
You need to maintain the hygiene of the car during the rental period. If you have a hiking or trekking hobby, keeping an extra pair of shoes in the car is recommended so as not to bring mud into the car.
No Smoking in the car. When you return the vehicle, if it is too dirty, they will ask you to clean it before returning it. Some companies will invite you to add a cleaning fee.
| About Driving Safely
If you are a veteran in the UK, you don’t need to worry about the traffic rules.
Also, it’s essential to drive safely, especially as there are a lot of roundabouts in the UK. There are no traffic lights, and cars are coming in from all directions, making you dizzy. Ensure you give way to the vehicle that enters the roundabout first.
There are also a lot of country lanes in the UK where the road is so narrow that there is only room for one car, so remember to give way. In short, safe driving comes first.
|About Returning a Car
When returning a car, the main thing is to settle the bill. Ideally, the vehicle should be returned in good condition without any problems, so the car company will refund your deposit.
The worst thing you can fear is a bit of a hiccup and getting into a situation where you have tangled up above. So always double-check the condition of the car before you hire it. If it is your responsibility, you must pay a fee.
There is also the car’s return to a different place; many large car companies are international but also support the return of the vehicle to a different country. For example, travelling to Europe, you can rent a car in France.
Return the car to Holland, but it must be the same company’s car dealership.
Additional Useful Tips
1) Remember!!! UK roads are speed-limited. The National speed limit on a typical town road is 30 miles per hour, which is about 48km per hour. On a motorway, the speed limit is usually 60 miles per hour on a two-lane carriageway. A single-lane carriageway is 70mph.
2) Recommend a navigation maze. Basic features are speed limit alerts, automatic route planning to predict traffic volume and estimated arrival time. In addition, there are route customisations and real-time alerts of road conditions. Relatively better than Google Maps.
3) Most of the cars of UK car rental companies are diesel cars. Be sure to figure it out when you self-fuel in the UK. Also, remember to keep the small ticket for refuelling. When you return the car, some car rental companies will give back the cost of refuelling.
Frequently asked questions about car hire
What Do I Need to hire a car?
To hire a car, you are generally required to have a full driving licence valid for at least one year. Additionally, most car hire companies will ask for a credit or debit card to hold a deposit, and you must be over a certain age, typically 21 or 25, depending on the company’s policy. It’s also wise to have identification and, if necessary, an International Driving Permit.
Can I rent a car for someone else?
While you can pay for the rental car, the primary driver must be present to sign the rental agreement and provide their driver’s licence and credit card for the deposit. The vehicle’s driver must be listed as the primary driver to avoid insurance issues.
What should I do if I have an accident in the hire car?
In the unfortunate event of an accident, your first step is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and call emergency services if required. Following that, contact the car hire company immediately. They will guide you through the process, which generally consists of an accident report and might include contacting their insurance company.
What should I consider when looking for a cheap hire car?
When searching for a cost-effective hire car, it’s essential to consider the rental price and the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, rental terms, and any additional fees that may not be immediately apparent. Opt for a reputable company with transparent pricing policies to avoid hidden costs. It’s also wise to check for current promotions or discounts that could make your rental even more economical.
How can I ensure I get the best hire car deal?
To secure the best deal, booking in advance and comparing prices from several rental agencies is advisable. Consider flexible travel dates if possible, as prices can vary significantly depending on the season or the day of the week. Signing up for alerts from price comparison websites can inform you about price drops and special deals.
Is insurance included in cheap hire car rentals, or do I need to arrange my own?
Cheap hire car rentals typically come with basic insurance coverage, which usually includes third-party liability and may include theft protection and collision damage waiver. However, it’s crucial to read the rental agreement carefully and understand the extent of the cover provided. For additional peace of mind, you may consider purchasing excess insurance or a more comprehensive policy through the rental company or a third-party insurer.
