We will be renting a car to drive from London to Chipping Campden for a few days this May. My question is, do we have to get an international drivers license if we're from the US or will our current license work just as well? Do you have any other advise or things we should know about before renting a car in England?
Also, where is the best place to find maps of the Cotswolds area, so we'll know where we're going while we're there? Thanks!
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1069 posts
I think what you're thinking of is an IDP (International Driving Permit), what that does is convert the wording on your U.S, licence into English, as your licence will already be in English (almost :-) ) you shouldn't need one. I have seen reports on some other travel forums that some car hire companies have in their T&C's that an IDP is required as standard but then never ask for one if the licence is in English.
An IDP as far as the hire company is concerned verifies that the person hiring the car also has a valid licence in their own country, so probably better to email the chosen company and ask.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to know.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Sorry to be a curmudgeon , but keep a few things in mind - If the rental agencies are specifying an IDP in their Terms and Conditions , that forms a requirement of your contract with them . Whether or not they ask to see it is immaterial . Not having one in the event of an incident ( property or personal damage ) will likely allow them to invalidate your insurance on the grounds of your not being a properly licensed driver . I don't like taking those kind of chances , so , get an IDP . As Harleydonski wrote above , you probably won't need it , but for twenty dollars and no inconvenience , get one . By the way , this is an INTERNATIONAL DRIVER PERMIT , not LICENSE and is obtainable in the States only from AAA , it must be used in conjunction with your home state license
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
As far as renting , I will assume you will pick up the car at Heathrow . Do you drive stick , and have you ever driven in the UK before ? Considering the likeliest answer , specify an automatic when you hire the car . The roads in the UK tend to be quite narrow and the Cotswolds are laced with hedgerows and stone walls which require your complete attention when behind the wheel . My favorite map is the Ordnance Survey " Tour " http://www.amazon.com/Cotswolds-Gloucestershire-OS-Travel-Map/dp/0319242161/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426876826&sr=8-1&keywords=ordnance+survey+maps+gloucestershire
Posted by
Hampshire, England.
1069 posts
If you haven't driven in England before, please read the relevant sections of the Highway Code:
https://www.gov.uk/highway-code/contents
Posted by
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
When we have gotten a rental car in England, we have always rented through Hertz. I don't know if it specifies an IDP in their paperwork, but they have always told us we don't need one and have never asked.
Posted by
Fairfax, Virginia
330 posts
I really liked Bibury. At times it was crowded, but if you found a quiet spot to rest you could wat out the crowds and get a few moments alone.
Plan your routes well and have alternate plans, many of the roads in the Cotswolds are narrow and on a few I decided to skip them and go elsewhere. Beware of the curbstones in Chipping Camden! They are Cotswold sandstone, and are quite sharp, at least the one I found was. We spent the whole afternoon in Chipping Camden waiting for road service, apparently hired cars in the UK don't come with a spare tire. Fortunately, it was a nice day and we were in a nice setting. Chipping Camden was quite nice, but I'd rather have had less time there and more to spend elsewhere.