One of the best things about visiting the beautiful countryside in England is the small towns. And the best way to see them? Renting a car.
Whether you want to wander the gorgeous villages of the Cotswolds or go further afield and see the less-touristed black and white villages of Herefordshire, the easiest way to do that is to drive yourself. Well, maybe not easiest if you’ve never driven on the left side. But I promise if I can do it, so can you.
Keep reading and I’ll show you everything you need to know about how to rent a car in England.
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- Why Rent a Car in England
- Do You Really Need a Car in England?
- Requirements for Renting a Car in England
- What Kind of Car to Rent
- How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in England?
- Driving in England: The Basics
- Tips for Renting a Car in England
- Best Road Trips in England
- Where to Stay on your England Road Trip
- My Favorite Travel Websites
- Questions about Renting a Car in England
- Final Thoughts about Renting a Car in England
Why Rent a Car in England
England is made for road trips. From honey-stone villages in the Cotswolds to the dramatic cliffs of Cornwall and the sheep-dotted hills of Yorkshire, the best parts of England are often tucked away beyond train lines.
And while England’s rail system is efficient (and charmingly British), if you want the freedom to explore at your own pace, renting a car in England is the way to go.
But before you picture yourself cruising down country lanes, there are some quirks to driving in the UK you’ll want to know. I’ve pulled together a complete guide with tips, requirements, costs, and must-drive routes so you’re ready to hit the road.
💡 Planning your trip to England? Check out my 10 Days in England Itinerary for castles, coastlines, and countryside escapes.
🚗 Looking to rent a car? Just click HERE for the best deals in your area.
Do You Really Need a Car in England?
Not always. Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Skip the car if: You’re just doing London, Bath, York, or Liverpool. Public transportation covers these easily, and driving/parking will only slow you down.
- Rent a car if: You want to explore villages, countryside, and coastlines. The charm of England lies in its hidden corners: Cotswolds tea rooms, Lake District hikes, Cornish fishing villages, and medieval market towns. These are either tricky—or downright impossible—to reach without a car.
👉 My rule of thumb: Use the train between big cities, then rent a car once you’re ready to explore the countryside.
Requirements for Renting a Car in England
Car rentals in England don’t require a ton of documents. Most rental agencies in England require:
A Driver’s License
We didn’t need an international driver’s license coming from the U.S. (our U.S. license was enough- just don’t forget it!) but be sure to check for any requirements according to the country where yours was issued.
You can find information about driving in the UK in a non-Great Britain license on their website.
Also, some car rental agencies might ask if you have an international license so check with them as well. They also might need to see your passport so have that handy as well.
A Credit Card
Debit cards aren’t always accepted for the deposit so be sure you have credit available on your credit card and don’t forget to bring it with you.
Age Requirements
You are generally OK to rent a car between the ages of 21 to 75. If you’re younger or older than that, be sure you check requirements of the company you’re renting from to be sure you’re eligible.
Rental Car Insurance
Your regular insurance company probably doesn’t cover rental cars outside of your home country. If not, you’ll need to purchase insurance either through the rental car company itself or another outside agency. And you’ll need to prove coverage at pickup (or before).
And while we’re talking about insurance, it’s a good idea to get overseas health insurance as well. For instance, if you use Medicaid in the US, it does NOT cover you.
You can get coverage for a single trip, yearly coverage, medical only (at various levels), trip cancellation… Check out all the options and find one that’s right for you.
Since I travel often, I have a yearly plan- and it was barely more than a single trip. So be sure you check out everything to see what is right for you.
🤞 If you’re looking for trip insurance, Insure My Trip works with many different companies to find you the perfect plan.
What Kind of Car to Rent
The roads in England are tiny and twisty and lined with stone walls and bushes so you’re not going to want to rent an SUV unless you have an absolute ton of people and luggage.
Rental car options:
- Manual or automatic
- Gas or electric
- What size car
- Insurance
- Will you be taking it other places?- Wales, Scotland, etc.
- Will you be dropping it at another location?
- Unlimited mileage in advance or pay when you return it?
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Car in England?
Rental prices vary by season, location, and car type. Here’s what to expect when you rent a car in England:
- Daily Rental Rate: £30–£80/day (about $40–$100 USD). Automatics are on the higher end.
- Fuel: Petrol is expensive compared to the U.S.—around £1.50–£1.70 per liter (that’s $7+ per gallon). Diesel is common and often cheaper.
- Insurance: Can double your cost if you take the agency’s coverage.
- One-Way Rentals: Dropping off in a different city can add £30–£100.
- Parking: Generally doesn’t cost a ton but include it in your budget. I spent about £3-£6 ($4-$8 USD) per day in England in small towns.
👉 For a week-long rental in summer, expect to spend around £350–£500 total including fuel and insurance.
Driving in England: The Basics
Driving in England is about the same as anywhere else- just with a few extra challenges for us who are new to it.
✅ Wondering what to bring with you? Check out my Road Trip Checklist! You can find it in the ⭐️Travel Resource Library⭐️ and it has everything you need to stay comfy and safe when you hit the road.
Driving on the Left
If you’ve never driven on the left before, it’ll take a couple days before you feel comfortable with it. On the highways isn’t so bad (fast traffic’s on the right) because you’re just driving straight.
The hard part is to remember to stay left when you turn a corner or exit a roundabout. Just keep reminding yourself and you might be almost ok with it by the end of your trip.
Narrow Country Roads
Don’t be surprised when a two-way road looks barely wide enough for one car. Pull into the “passing places” when needed. And be on the lookout for people on horseback!
Using Google Maps
Google Maps works great for driving and walking around town. You can get a car with GPS but my car had Apple Car Play and it worked great.
😎 Hey! Be sure to download offline maps for where you’ll be traveling since the signal can get spotty some places.
Speed Limits- follow them!
They are not fooling around with the speed cameras around here. They are plentiful and if your car comes with a warning, that’s super helpful. Even though we were playing attention, we still ended up getting a ticket. And the rental company charged us and additional $60 for giving them our contact info.
Near London, you’ll see them over the road with the photo of an old-timey camera. In the small towns, sometimes there will be a display that shows you your speed and gives you a frowny face if you’re going over. We saw several. Oops.
TLDR: Watch your speed! 🚓
Typical speed limits are 30 mph (yes, miles instead of km) in towns, 60 mph on country roads, and 70 mph on motorways. They also use miles for distances. 🤷♀️
Driving around Roundabouts
You’re going to have to make friends with the roundabouts because there are a whole lot of them. Just yield to the traffic already in the circle (to your right) and you’re good. And be sure you stay left when you exit.
Traffic Signs to Know
Most of the signs are pretty self-explanatory but you should know that “Give Way” just means yield. And the sign that’s a white circle with black line means go back to the regular speed limit.
They are also big on making sure you’re aware of things you might see on the road. There are signs saying beware of deer, geese, tractors, a man and a child, a woman pulling a child, and all sorts of things. My favorite is two old people with canes.
You can find more signs on the UK driving website.
Parking your Rental Car
Many of the lots are Pay & Display which means you pay at a machine, then leave the receipt on your dashboard showing you’ve paid and for how long.
Others are through apps which is annoying because it seems like each town has a different one that you have to set up an account for.
Lots of the city centers are pedestrian only so you’ll park at the edge of town and walk in.
👩🦽➡️Handicapped driver? If you have a parking permit at home, you might be able to get a Blue Badge to park in the UK too. See if yours is valid abroad.
Tips for Renting a Car in England
- Book Early: Especially in summer or around bank holidays.
- Pick Up Outside London: Skip city pickups. Get your car in Bath, Oxford, or another regional hub. It saves time, money, and stress.
- Check Transmission: Don’t assume it’s automatic. Double-check before booking.
- Mind the Fuel Type: Petrol vs. diesel matters. Double-check at the pump—putting in the wrong one is costly.
- Navigation is Key: Download Google Maps offline or rent a GPS. Signal drops in rural areas happen.
- Toll Roads: Most are contactless, but always keep a few pounds in coins just in case (I only went through one).
- Be sure to check the car for any scratches or dents when you pick it up. Some people even take photos so they don’t get charged for these upon return.
Best Road Trips in England
Renting a car isn’t just about getting from A to B—it’s about the journey. Here are some can’t-miss English road trips:
- The Cotswolds: Drive between villages like Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold.
- Cornwall: Surf beaches in Newquay, charming harbors in St Ives, and the cliffside Minack Theatre.
- Lake District: Scenic loops around Windermere, Keswick, and Ullswater.
- Yorkshire Dales: Stone walls, sheep pastures, and real ale pubs.
- Southern Castles & Coast: From Windsor to Dover to Brighton.
🇬🇧 Planning your trip to England? Check out my 10 Days in England Itinerary for castles, coastlines, and countryside escapes.
Where to Stay on your England Road Trip
Road trips call for cozy stays. Here are a few traveler-friendly picks:
- Cotswolds: The Slaughters Country Inn – quintessential English countryside vibes.
- Cornwall: Pedn Olva Hotel in St Ives – perched on a cliff with sweeping sea views.
- Lake District: Rothay Manor Hotel – luxury country house with award winning food.
- Yorkshire: The Grove House – a charming bed &n breakfast 5 minutes from Yorkshire Dales.
👉 You can also check my England Hotels Map to compare options near your route.
My Favorite Travel Websites
When you purchase items through links on my site, I earn a tiny commission at no cost to you.
Thank you for purchasing through me- you’re the best! 😍
Ready to plan your trip?
Here are my favorite travel websites to get you started.
✈️ Flights 🏨 Hotels 🚃 Trains
🚗 Car Rental 🤞 Insurance 🏰 Activities
Questions about Renting a Car in England
Do I have to rent a car to see England?
Renting a car is not absolutely necessary but it does make it easier to be able to see those smaller towns that I love- so it was necessary to me.
Can I rent a car in England with a US driver’s license?
Yes, you can rent a car in England with a US driver’s license. Just know that your US insurance likely won’t cover you abroad. Be sure you purchase it from the car company or elsewhere.
What’s the cheapest way to rent a car in England?
The cheapest way is to book early, compare rates on aggregator sites like DiscoverCars.com, choose a manual car instead of an automatic, and rent outside London (try a a regional train station).
Is it better to Uber or rent a car in London?
When you’re in London (or any other large city in Europe), the best way to get around is via public transportation like the Underground/Tube. In London, I took the Hop-On Bus which was a great way to see everything without the headache of having to figure out how to get from sight to sight.
What is the easiest way to rent a car in London?
You can use DiscoverCars.com to rent a car anywhere in England. Pick it up either at the airport or at an off-site location depending on the company you choose and when you need it.
Final Thoughts about Renting a Car in England
So, is renting a car in England worth it?
✅ If your trip is just London—no.
✅ If you want to wander into storybook villages, castle towns, and coastal escapes (spoiler: you do)— then absolutely yes.
With a little prep, renting a car in England gives you the freedom to explore beyond the guidebooks. Just remember- take your time, breathe through that first roundabout, and enjoy the ride.
Because in England, sometimes the best part of the trip isn’t the destination—it’s the road that gets you there.
If you’re looking to explore off-the-beaten-path places in England and see the places that the other tourists don’t, then renting a car might be perfect for you. Let me know if I can help. Enjoy the ride!
Happy travels… 🇬🇧💂🚗
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