renting/driving a car in the UK

1. Great Britain does not require an International Driving Permit for English speaking countries, for the $15nor so from the AAA, it might not hurt if there are questions regarding your license, but your US license gets you the right to drive.

2. Your US car insurance would be of no use anyway. You can look into either using the typical Credit Card policy most have as a benefit, it comes with some risk though. Another option is a premium policy through a credit card Like American Express has, that cost you $25-30 for the rental, but coverage is much better than the default CC insurance. For total peace of mind, if you budget allows, take the Super-CDW from the rental agency...any issues you just walk away. Finally, if you have an extended rental, you might look into third party insurance, a better bargain in that case.

3. My preference would be to pick the areas that benefit most from a car then pick up a car someplace with easy train access. If your itinerary has spots best for a car that are separated, do not overlook two separate rentals, rather than parking a car for several days while visiting a city.

Thank you! That gives me something to think about.

Micky,

A few thoughts.....

• As you don't own a car, how often do you drive? Keep in mind you'll be driving on the "correct side" of the road there, and unless you get an automatic transmission, you'll be shifting with your left hand.
• You may want to check some of the websites regarding driving in the U.K., which includes information like how to navigate roundabouts, what some of the different signs mean (such as the zig-zag lines on the pavement), etc.
• I've found that a GPS is enormously helpful, even in England, along with a good map.
• I'd also suggest getting the super CDW offered by the rental agency, unless you have a credit card that provides that coverage.
• I've found that Bath is a convenient location to rent, although if you're not going there you could rent somewhere near London.

Micky, how long is your trip? How much of that do you want to have the car?

Can you drive a standard transmission in San Francisco? If you can get up Divisadero in first and second gears, especially if you stop half way up, the stand transmissions here won't be too much of a problem. Even changing hands, the muscle memory in your arm and hand transfer quite quickly.

The kerb and centring yourself in the lane can be a bit more difficult particularly on narrow lanes with traffic coming right towards you.

Parking partly onto the pavement can be interesting, roundabouts are clockwise, dynamic reallocation of lane width can make your hair stand on end the first few times, but lots of people do it.

Make sure that your license doesn't expire whilst here.

A lot of information about the laws is not posted on signs - speed limits for one - so you need to study and become familiar with the different traffic laws regardless of signage you will be expected to know them. For example, street lights close together, even if not illuminated at night because the cheese paring council is trying to save a few quid, indicate a 30 mile an hour limit but there likely will not be a speed limit sign.

The AMEX plan is a good one, or getting all the insurance on hire.

Tell us where you are going and we can help with collection points.

Smile 0 Be Happy

Happy travels....

Micky, to expand on previous suggestions. I would be concerned if you do not drive regularly here in the US. I rented a car at Heathrow for a trip to Liverpool and then on to Scotland. As previously stated you must know the speed limits for the different types of roads that you will be on since they are not posted like we see here. The U K is big on speed cameras so not knowing the appropriate speed limit can be costly. I would suggest renting the smallest car that you are comfortable driving. Once you get on the narrow country roads you will understand why. Depending on where you are going I would get a GPS. In parts of Scotland we did not have service so we could not use our phones mapping apps. If you have a facebook page I would suggest following the The Official Highway code feed from the Ministry of Transport for h elpful tips on driving in the U K. I would get a premium insurance coverage as others have suggested. Be prepared for round a bouts on the motorways though they are well marked for the direction you will be going. Lastly, I would not drive in London if were you.

Good advice above. I always recommend getting the super CDW (or through a third party agent which is usually cheaper) when driving in a foreign country since even a minor ding can be a huge hassle to makes claims with your credit card.

The GPS is almost a must in Britain.

Oxford is often mentioned as a convenient place to pick up a car. An easy train ride out from London and heading north where you are most likely going. Or Bath if you are heading there.

To answer various questions:

I am intimidated by the prospect of driving in the UK, but there are just so many places it's too time-consuming and expensive to get to by train and bus that I feel like I really want to give this a try!

Even though I don't currently own a car, I drive often and have only ever owned cars with manual transmissions. I'm comfortable driving stick even on San Francisco's hills.

I'm not sure how long I want to have the car because I haven't decided my itinerary. Right now I'm thinking about getting it for a week, picking up in Windsor and then going to the Cotswolds, jogging over to Hay-on-Wye, from there all the way up to Hexham and Hadrian's Wall, and then stopping to see friends in York before heading back to Windsor to drop off the car. Alternatively, I'm considering Windsor - Cotswolds - Hay-on-Wye - Windsor, then train up to York or Leeds and get another car from there to go to Hadrian's Wall and back, maybe by way of the Yorkshire Dales. Do those sound feasible?

Micky, it sounds like you'll have no problem driving a standard shift car. It you can do it in San Fran., I think you can handle it in England. I have picked up a car at the Manchester airport right after an overnight on one trip. On another, after 4 days in London, we took a train to Oxford and picked up a car for our stay in the Cotswolds. That worked out really great as it was easy to get from the car rental place to the highway. You just have to be careful and pay attention and keep telling yourself, "keep left, keep left"!!
Once you are in the country, driving is much easier because there is less traffic, I just find it less stressful. The only thing that sort of freaks me out, are the roundabouts that are just painted circles on the road. Unless you are really paying attention, you could miss them. But I think we only ran into a couple of those and after the first one we just knew to be aware of them. You'll be fine.