Edinburgh to London

You don't need a car in Edinburgh, you don't need or want one in London, so it depends on what you want to do on the way. If you just want to visit, say, York, then you'd be better off on the train. But if you want to visit Hadrian's Wall or the York Moors you'd need a car. Not sure what you mean by rules. Do you mean age?

What do you want to see between Edinburgh and London

Yes, we plan on visiting multiple cities along the way. About the car rental question, we were told that we may need additional rental insurance and multiple documents. We do not know what to expect so we want to be prepared.

@Ed: Carlisle - Take the Castle Way drive and enjoy the sights. Ripon - stay the night, see the Fountains Abbey. Malton - Castle Howard, ect. We are working our way down to Cranborne Dorset, UK, for a Wedding and then back to London to fly out.

I've never needed anything other than my US driver's license in the way of paper work in the UK (in some countries you need an International Driver's Permit, but not in the UK). The big issue is whether you opt for CDW - additional insurance. Often you will find that the credit card you use to pay for the rental will make it unnecessary, but you do need to research the issue. Start with Rick's "Europe Through the Back Door" - he has a section on insurance for rental cars.

Then you need to drive. You need nothing except a credit card, passport, and driver's license.

I've never had to produce anything other than drivers licence (possibly a passport?). I do check with my USA insurance company to confirm that I am covered (oh yes, and money, or credit card)

Thank you very much for all your help.

Brian?? You always need a passport as the identity document. And what USA company covers insurance out of the US, Canada, Guam, and Puerto Rico? I need a hunk of that action.