Car hire in UK...Road rules etc??

Western Pomise

Heading to London for a few days in a few weeks with family....does anyone have any idea of typical rates per day to rent out a family car?( does that include insurance cover).....have never driven over there.....arent their rules of road basically same as ours?....appreciate any info.

corktina

much the same really.
70 mph on motorway and dual carriageways. 60 otherwise
Red light cameras fairly common so watch yourself
speed cameras are yellow boxes on poles, usually no warning signs.
Rental includes insurance but it's basic and you'd want to consider paying for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Central London is Tolled.

Marcusm

Where in London are you staying? Where will you wish to drive? Where will you park? I live in London, very central and (unusually) drive, many do not and it can be a hassle. Great for out of town trips but if you plan on staying centrally and not venturing out of town, I probably woudn't bother with a car even if oe f your party was wheelchair bound.

DuckSlice

Bus Lane cameras, usually on the side of the road, grey in colour and higher than a speed camera, you may not see them but if a bus comes up behind you they have them inside the windscreen too.

Speed cameras have to have signs up, and they are pretty good on that over there. think there is a couple of roads around london that have the average speed cameras, cant miss them usually on big yellow poles, and plenty of signage. sure i remember the A40 having them when i was there last, but not sure.

just keep your wits about you as traffic gets very very heavy, it probably even worse than rush hour in dublin most of the time, and between 7-9am and 4-7pm, its pretty mental, the more central you go the worse it gets.

Western Pomise

Thanks for advice,will be well out of City centre,in Bedford area and Hertfordshire,renting car will suit for going round to visit different people.

DuckSlice

you will be fine out those areas, they not really in london. where u flying into?

biko

I've driven plenty over there and never had bother with traffic regulations, just follow the signs as usual and have a gps with speed warning.
I still wouldn't venture into central London unless I had to, even then it's not a major issue. I've been to other major UK cities and been fine, so you should too
Just read up on congestion charges.

Marcusm

Those places would be more like being in Wicklow or Kikdare but geographically even further. Try one if the car hire comparison sites (carhire3000 etc) and use your entry airport as the hire site to get some pricing ideas. Lots if A roads and motorways around there but equally lots if high quality dingle carriageway alternatives if that's your preference.

UK roads don't generally have numerical speed limit signs anywhere near as often as Ireland so know the basics. Urban/lit up area 30mph unless otherwise posted then 60 for single and 70 for dual or more as stated above. 20/40/50 applies only with a numerical sign. Carry your licence and hire document with you.

mairtinbally

WP,
If intended to hire a car in UK, I would recommend the following
www.autoescape.com
The price is an all inclusive price (insurance etc)
My wife is Canadian and up to recent times we travelled there on regular basis for 2-3 months at time and I have always used them.

Enjoy your trip.