Car Rental in England (2026) - Driving Guide & Best Rates

England drives on the left side of the road, with the driver seated on the right side of the vehicle. Junctions, roundabouts, and overtaking all follow left-hand traffic logic, this is the single biggest adjustment for visitors from right-hand-drive countries. Unlike some US states, turning left (the equivalent of turning right) on a red light is never permitted unless a sign explicitly allows it.

Visitors holding a licence from most countries, including all EU/EEA states, the US, Canada, and Australia, may drive on that licence for up to 12 months from the date they last entered Great Britain, provided it is a full, valid licence in their home country. After 12 months of residency, the holder must exchange it for a UK licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not legally required for holders of licences issued in English. But drivers with licences in other scripts or languages are strongly advised to carry an IDP, as police and rental agents may request a translation.

The legal minimum age to drive a car in England is 17 (legal requirement). Rental companies impose their own, higher thresholds that vary by provider: some will rent to drivers from age 21, others set the floor at 25, and a smaller number rent from 18 with a young-driver surcharge, confirm directly with the specific rental company. Drivers under 25 should expect a young-driver surcharge regardless of which company they use.

English law requires all drivers to carry at minimum third-party liability insurance. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence. Rental companies include third-party cover in their base rate by law. But the vehicle itself is typically covered only up to a significant excess (the amount you pay before the company's collision damage waiver, or CDW, applies). Purchasing the rental company's CDW or Collision Damage Waiver reduces that excess, often to zero. Some travel credit cards include rental CDW as a benefit. But verify the card's terms before declining the rental company's cover.

Rental companies in England almost universally require a credit card, not a debit card, in the primary driver's name at the time of collection, both to pre-authorise a security deposit (which covers the excess on the damage waiver) and to confirm identity. The pre-authorisation amount varies by company and vehicle category. Check current requirements with your specific rental provider. Debit cards are accepted by some budget operators but often come with additional restrictions or a larger cash deposit.