Destinations / United Kingdom
Driving in United Kingdom as a visitor
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. United Kingdom accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What United Kingdom expects
| Permit needed | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Left |
| Emergency number | 999 or 112 |
| Top speed limit | 70 mph (113 km/h) motorways |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Not required by law. Worth having if your licence is not printed in Latin script. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 17. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in GBP. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Seatbelts | Seatbelts mandatory for all occupants. |
|---|---|
| Phones | Mobile-phone use while driving is heavily penalised. |
| Alcohol | 0.08% alcohol limit in England/Wales; lower in Scotland. |
On the road in United Kingdom
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded petrol (95 E10 standard, 97/99 super) and diesel, all self-service and paid at the kiosk or pay-at-pump card terminal; LPG is rare. Prices in mid-2026 run roughly GBP 1.35-1.45 per litre, with motorway services markedly dearer.
After a crash
Call 999 (or 112) for injuries; police attendance is only required where someone is hurt, the road is blocked, or a driver fails to stop or give details. You must stop, exchange names, addresses and insurance details, and report to police within 24 hours if details could not be exchanged at the scene.
Sources: gov.uk · visitlondon.com · autoeurope.com · carwow.co.uk
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in United Kingdom?
Not legally, but it is worth carrying. United Kingdom accepts foreign licences, and a permit removes any argument at the rental counter or a roadside check.
Which IDP format does United Kingdom accept?
United Kingdom recognises the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in United Kingdom ask for one?
An IDP is recommended for licences not printed in the Roman alphabet.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.