Driver`s License

U.S. driver`s licenses are valid for 12 months in the United Kingdom; if you want to drive longer than that, you need to apply for a UK license. If you lose your U.S. license, make sure you apply for an International Driving Permit before leaving home and bring it with you at all times. This may help you in such a stressful event.

Additional Documents

Bring your passport, your driver`s license, including an International Driving Permit if you applied for one, a European Accident Statement (ask your car rental company), paperwork for accident and breakdown coverage, insurance certificate, and registration.

Insurance

Third-party insurance is the legal minimum drivers must buy before driving in the United Kingdom. Fines of £300 will be given to violators.

Glasses

If you wear glasses or contact lenses for driving in the United States, you are required to wear them in the United Kingdom as well.

Warning Triangles and Visibility Vests

First-aid kits, warning triangles, and fire extinguishers are required before driving in the United Kingdom; your car rental company should already have these placed in your car. Make sure you check before leaving. If broken down on a carriageway, place your warning triangle approximately 150 feet behind your car. High-visibility vests are not required in the United Kingdom but many people choose to include them in their first-aid car packages.

Headlamp Beam Deflectors

Beam deflectors are not required for driving in the United Kingdom but are required in other EU countries, so if you plan on driving to France, you will need to make sure the headlights are fixed before leaving. Ask your car rental company how you will apply headlamp beam deflectors. Some cars require stickers, others require for the beam to be adjusted manually.

Snow Chains

Snow chains are legal in the United Kingdom but they must be used only on snow-covered roads and not in a way that will damage the road surface. Once back on smooth concrete, snow chains must be removed.

Lights

Headlights must be used in the time period that corresponds to 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Side lights and rear registration lights must be lit during nighttime hours as well. Lights can be dipped at night in urban areas and in daytime weather that is cloudy or foggy. Headlights must be used during times of reduced daytime visibility, but they must be turned off when the visibility improves. Flashing your headlights at other drivers, for example to send a message to them because you are angry at their driving, is illegal and could cause you to be ticketed if policemen notice.

Other

Emergency, police and fire services in Wales can be accessed by calling 999. Another number that can be used in the case of emergencies is 112, and that is a number that can be dialed from any mobile phone for free. Non-emergency services can be accessed by dialing 101.

Drinking and Driving:

The legal limit of blood alcohol content in Wales is 0.08%, which is similar to the legal limit in the United States. Punishments for drinking and driving are heavy in England: the maximum sentence is six months` imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum twelve months` disqualification from driving. Tourists will not be allowed to drive in Wales after the first offense. The rule for drinking and driving is simple: don`t do it. Take a taxi or some other form of transportation if you want to drink at pubs or nightclubs.

Seat Belts:

Seat belts are mandatory for drivers as well as for front and back seat passengers.

Cell Phones:

Cell phones are only allowed to be used by drivers in England if the call can be conducted hands-free (like through Bluetooth and car speakers). You will be given a citation and be made to pay a fine of £200 if you are caught using your cell phone without these hands-free devices.

Navigation Aids

Navigation aids such as GPS are allowed while driving in England, but the phone must be mounted to the windshield or dashboard, and you must not press any navigation buttons on the GPS or phone while driving. A fine of £200 can and will be given to violators.

Speed Trap Detectors:

In Wales, both fixed and mobile radar and laser speed camera detection devices are legal. Scramblers and jammers are illegal.

Driving Age:

The driving age in Wales is set at 17; learner`s permits are issued beginning at 15 years, 9 months. Drivers coming from the United States must be over the age of 17. Many car rental companies will not rent to people under 21, and may charge premiums to drivers under the age of 25.

Using Indicators:

Indicators must be used when overtaking and any other time it is applicable. Welsh drivers are also known to use hand gestures in traffic to signal turns, to merge onto roads and roundabouts, and to allow drivers into their lanes. You will find that you will use both indicators and hand signals while driving in Wales. If a driver is nice enough to let you into a roundabout or lane, wave back at them, like you would in the United States.

Overtaking:

According to the UK Highway Code, you should remain in the center or outer lanes if you are overtaking a number of slower moving vehicles, instead of changing lanes multiple times. Once you have finished overtaking, return to the left lane. Slower vehicles should remain in the left lane, unless overtaking. Slower vehicles should not be in the right lane at all. Do not drive on the hard shoulder; that is for vehicles to park their cars when experiencing distress or after an accident.

Roundabout:

Also according to the UK Highway Code, you should use your indicators and hand signals to let other drivers know your intentions. Remain aware of the speed of the traffic around you and keep at the same speed limit when entering and exiting the roundabout. Always give priority to traffic coming from the right-hand side, unless signs tell you otherwise. Look at the road markings and make sure you have the right of way before entering the roundabout; if you don`t have that right of way, wait for other vehicles or pedestrians to pass. When taking the first exit on the roundabout, turn your left signal on and approach the left lane. Keep left and signal left to exit. If you are exiting on the right, keep to the right until you are ready to exit and then use your left signal after you pass the exit before the one you want to take. For intermediate exits, choose the lane that is more appropriate and stay in that lane until you pass the last exit before the one you want to take and signal left.

Lights:

Headlights must be used in the time period that corresponds to 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. Side lights and rear registration lights must be lit during nighttime hours as well. Lights can be dipped at night in urban areas and in daytime weather that is cloudy or foggy. Headlights must be used during times of reduced daytime visibility, but they must be turned off when the visibility improves. Flashing your headlights at other drivers, for example to send a message to them because you are angry at their driving, is illegal and could cause you to be ticketed if policemen notice.

Losing Your License:

U.S. driver`s licenses are valid for 12 months in the United Kingdom; if you want to drive longer than that, you need to apply for a UK license. If you lose your U.S. license, make sure you apply for an International Driving Permit before leaving home and bring it with you at all times. This may help you in such a stressful event.

Fines for Motoring Offenses in England:

Speeding typically results in a fine of £100, although speeding over 45% of the posted limit could cause your driving privileges to be revoked. Fines and penalties have become harsher over the years for using your phone while driving. As of March 2017, this includes using your phone while in traffic. Careless driving (swerving, not driving inside the lines) will set you back £100. More dangerous driving behavior will send you directly in front of a magistrate. Driving without insurance will incur a minimum fine of £300. Children not using correct car seats will result in the parents being fined £500.

Children:

Car seats must be used for children who have either not reached the age of 12 years or the height of 135 cm (53 inches). Rear-facing car seats must be used for children under the age of 15 months, after which time front-facing seats are required. Car seats may be installed in the front but rear-facing car seats may not be used in the front if the passenger side has an airbag equipped.

Accidents:

In the United Kingdom, you must stop after an accident if someone else besides yourself is injured, no matter if there is only one car or multiple cars involved. The same rule applies if vehicles (other than your own) or property are damaged, an animal outside the vehicle is injured or killed, or if street lamps or signs are damaged. You are required to make sure medical assistance is coming to the scene, if needed. The emergency number is 999. After that, you must stay long enough to exchange names, contact information and insurance and registration information. If you want to report the incident to the police, it must be done within 24 hours of the accident. If you can exchange insurance and nobody is injured, police do not necessarily need to be involved. Inform your insurance company of the accident; failure to promptly do so can result in your claim being dismissed, even if the accident was not your fault. Do not admit liability for the accident as this can hurt your standing with the insurance company should you file a claim afterward. If the other person involved in the accident does not have insurance, a claim can be filed with the governmental Motor Insurers` Bureau.

Parking might be at a premium inside city centers, but there is ample parking to be had just outside, allowing you to take public transport or walk a short distance into the city or to various attractions.

Cardiff has eight large parking garages that are located on all sides of the city center, and parking is available there for £4 for up to four hours (Online pricing only; reserving a space in person is more expensive. You can purchase your parking passes in advance by going online to www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/cardiff.) Cardiff Castle and St. David`s Hall are close to the Westgate Street garage; the National Museum Cardiff and The Capitol Shopping Centre are close to Greyfriars garage; and the Millennium Stadium is close to the NCP Stadium garage.

Swansea is home to four similar parking garages with the same online pricing; the City Gates garage is the place to park to visit Swansea Bay; the National Waterfront Museum; the Maritime Quarter; Quadrant Shopping Centre; and Swansea Market. For more information, visit www.ncp.co.uk/parking-solutions/cities/swansea.

There are also car parks located at 19 of Wales`s most-utilized train stations; the spots are first-come, first-served and range in price from £4 for a day parked in places like Carmarthen and Abergavenny to £7 in Swansea; £10 in Newport; and £12.50 in Cardiff. For more information on parking in a Transport for Wales car park, visit www.tfwrail.wales/before-your-journey/getting-to-and-from-the-station/car-parking.

Gas stations in Wales (which they call `petrol stations`) are quite similar to the ones in the United States. Nearly all gas stations are self-service, although you will find a few full-service stations in rural areas. Even in the most remote spots in Wales, you should not be any more than five miles away from a gas station.

You can pay at the pump or inside and credit/debit cards are taken at nearly every gas station. Unlike in the U.S., you typically pay for gas after you filled up, not before. Most gas stations also offer a convenience store component and many (but not all) offer bathrooms. As a rule, it is usually cheaper to get your gas in towns and cities instead of at service parks along busy motorways.

Unleaded (95 and 98 octane) and diesel fuel are the most popular ones; make sure you figure out which type of fuel your car needs, and make sure you pick the right one before filling up. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is also an option at many locations for certain car types. As far as business hours are concerned, 24-hour gas stations exist in the United Kingdom, but they are not as ubiquitous as in the United States. Typically in Wales, the Texaco brand will have gas stations open 24 hours. BP has some as well, but fewer of them. Gas stations tend to open early, between 5 and 7 a.m., and stay open until at least 10 or 11 p.m.

Some useful words to commit to memory, with the American meaning afterward:

Bonnet – Car hood
Boot – Trunk
Car park – Parking lot, parking garage
Central reservation – Divider, median
Give way – Yield
Indicator – Turn signal
Lorry – Truck
Motorway – Highway, freeway, parkway
Pavement – Sidewalk
Windscreen – Windshield
Traffic light – Stop light
Amber – Yellow (as in the stop light color).

These are the current speed limits nationwide. Note that many local jurisdictions reserve the right to lower these numbers.

Motorways – 70 mph
Dual Carriageways – 70 mph
Other standard roads – 60 mph
Built-up areas – 50 mph (30 mph in areas with street lights, 20 mph in some cities and neighborhoods)
Rural areas – 60 mph (single carriageways)

– Read the Highway Code before leaving, so you are up-to-date on driving laws in the United Kingdom, which vary slightly from American laws. You can read the Code for free online at www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code-road-safety.

– Be vigilant at all times while driving. In Wales, cars drive on the left side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. As you become more comfortable with driving in Wales, you may be more tempted to let your guard down. It`s at these times when you can cause an accident, either with another car or on your own, being unfamiliar with right-side steering cars. Concentrate at all times, and if you are lost, exit the motorway and find a gas station or shop where you can receive directions.

– Direction signs on motorways have a blue backdrop and signs on trunk roads will have a green backdrop. Signs on local roads are white with a black border, and speed limit signs are typically white circular signs with a red perimeter. Speed limit signs are posted in miles per hour, not kilometers per hour. Signs will be written in both English and Welsh, and in some areas the Welsh translation will be provided first.

– Unlike in the other constituent countries of the United Kingdom, you will not encounter tolls when driving in Wales. The Severn Bridge and the Cleddau Bridge, the last two toll roads in Wales, ceased requiring payment in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

– Watch out for animals while driving. Sheep outnumber people in Wales and in locales like the Brecon Beacons, sheep graze all over and are not fenced in. If a flock of sheep crosses the road you are driving, wait them out and continue once they have safely passed on their own or with the help of a nearby farmer who may be watching his flock. This rule also goes for cows who roam free and cross rural roads. Deer crossings are also common in rural Wales; do not get out of your car if you see a deer approaching. Wait for them to leave; they will move faster than a flock of sheep for sure! Finally, what to know about safely passing horses is that you should slow down to the horse`s speed, and if there is ample room to overtake the horse, you can do so. On single-lane roads, this may be impossible.

– Note that Wales can be very rainy and windy, especially in winter. Sometimes the Prince of Wales Severn Bridge and the Severn Bridge, two key links between Bristol and Cardiff, can be closed due to high winds. If these bridges are both closed, you will have to go to Gloucester in The Cotswolds and take the A40 motorway to cross into Wales near Monmouth.

– Be nice and courteous while on the road. Local drivers will be more forgiving of minor faux pas if you have a cheerful attitude.

If you plan to rent a car in Europe, it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the operation of the manual transmission. The vast majority of rental cars have manual transmissions. There are only a limited number of automatics available.
The very concept of ‘car’ is radically different between North America and Europe. Whereas in the US and Canada size really matters, Europeans look for fuel economy and have cramped parking conditions in mind. Here are some hints on choosing the right car when renting.

Transmission – Not Automatically Automatic

The very first thing to bear in mind is the transmission. Whereas most rental cars in North America will be equipped with automatic transmission, manual transmission is the norm in Europe. In addition the gearshift will be to the left of the driver. If you are not familiar with a manual transmission be sure to select an automatic. And remember that the ‘exotic’ automatic transmissions may sell out fast, so book early.

Interior Space

Most rental cars are standard European or Japanese vehicles, built for cramped road conditions and comparatively short journeys. Especially the lower categories (Sub-Compact and Compact) are typical ‘city cars’ for the occasional user. Even ‘mid-size’ in Europe would be rated Compact in the US. So expect tighter conditions and choose a larger vehicle if traveling long distances.

Seats and Legroom

Cars are smaller and Europeans are used to them, so this leads to different car ratings. In the US, a car rated for two adults and two children, would be rated for five adults in Ireland. If you are in any way larger than the average European (5 ft 7 in, 165 pounds) go for a larger vehicle.

The Trunk

Luggage space in European and Japanese cars can be tight. Sub-Compact and Compact vehicles will more than likely be of the hatchback type with no actual trunk and a somewhat cramped storage area in the back. Getting four adults and their luggage into a Sub-Compact is nearly impossible. If you are planning to take your full baggage allowance go for a Mid-Size at least. Do not plan on leaving your luggage in view while touring, this will attract undesirable attention.

Extras – You Don’t Need Them

When looking up European rental cars you might notice that air conditioning or cruise control are not necessarily included in the specifications. You will not really miss them. While air conditioning can occasionally be nice during the short Irish summer, cruise control would be of no practical use at all.