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There are speed limits of 30 mph(48 km/h) on urban areas, 60 mph(96 km/h) in rural areas and 70 mph(112 km/h) in motorways unless signs say otherwise.
Consisting of England, Wales, Scotland and North Ireland, the United Kingdom is renowned for its beautiful natural sceneries and a wide mix of architectures, making it an attractive destination country to discover by car. Here are a few basic driving instructions and tips to help you serenely prepare your journey.
In the United Kingdom, driving is on the left-hand side of the road and overtaking is on the right. Mobile phones cannot be used to call or text while driving. On Roundabouts, drivers on the right have right of way.
Drivers should remain alert on countryside’s roads, as farm animals and agricultural vehicles can turn out to be difficult obstacles to pass.
Speed LimitThere are speed limits of 30 mph(48 km/h) on urban areas, 60 mph(96 km/h) in rural areas and 70 mph(112 km/h) in motorways unless signs say otherwise.
Traffic SignsTraffic signs used in the UK include signs giving orders, warning and indicating direction or information. Here are some frequently used signs in the UK.
Regulatory signs feature a circular shape with some exceptions.
 Give Priority to Vehicles from Opposite Direction |  Give Way to Traffic on major road |  No Vehicles Except Bicycles Being Pushed |  No Overtaking |  No Waiting |  No Stopping(Clearway) |
Warning signs are mostly triangular with a red border.
 Roundabout |  Uneven Road |  Two-way Traffic on Route Crossing Ahead |  Wild Animals |  Level Crossing WIth Barrier or Gate Ahead |  Level Crossing Without Barrier or Gate Ahead |  Level Crossing Without Barrier |
Information signs in the UK are rectangular with various colour backgrounds.
 Primary Route Forming Part of a Ring Road |  Entrance to Congestion Charging Zone |  Hospital Ahead with Accident and Emergency Facilities |  Tourist Information Point |
Click here for a complete road signs guide in the United Kingdom.
Seatbelt LawsAll passengers over 12 or 13 years, or over 135cm tall must wear a seat belt at all times. Failure to do so could result in a fine up to £500.
Booster Seat LawsChildren until the age of 12th or the height of 135cm should be placed in an appropriate seat for their height and weight.
Parking· Forbidden Parking
Finding parking space in town and city centres can prove difficult, especially in the centre of London. Parking your car in the following spots is strictly forbidden and could result in a fine:
- Beyond the time restriction marked on poles, lampposts or even screwed onto adjacent walls of buildings with a single, continuous yellow line along the kerb
- With double, continuous yellow lines along the kerb, which indicates no parking at any time
· Paid Parking
White marked bays with white markings indicate a metered street parking. These are generally "pay-and-display" parking for which a ticket needs to be purchased from an adjacent machine, and displayed on the car’s windshield or dashboard.
Be careful to check the "controlled hours" which are marked on the payment machines and on adjacent signs (again, usually on lamp posts and on walls). Parking outside the controlled hours is free.
(Image from eppingforestdc.gov.uk)
When finding a parking spot, we strongly suggest you not to let the absence of yellow lines lull you into a false sense of security, and always look for parking signs or meter machines.
Fuel PricesThe average value for the United Kingdom gasoline price during the period from August to November 2017 was 1.21£ per litre, while diesel is 3 cents higher.
TollCurrently, there is a single major road - the M6 Toll - and a small number of bridges and tunnels where tolls are collected. Each toll road and bridge in the United Kingdom has its own fee, varying and depending on the type of vehicle you are driving. Fees are collected at toll gates and can be paid in cash or by credit card or by fuel equipment for automatic toll payment.
Some car hire companies will debit your credit card in order to pay the tolls on your behalf if you missed paying one (depending on different car hire companies). If you have any questions concerning toll fee billing, feel free to contact QEEQ' 24/7 customer service team for help.
Additional Tips
In London, the Congestion Charge is a £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. Usually, the congestion charge will be collected and informed by the car hire company at the rental desk.
DUI LawsExcept for Scotland – whose limit is set at 0.05%, other locations within the UK have a legal blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.08% per driver. Driving over the alcohol limit can result in a penalty up to six months of imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum of twelve months' disqualification.
Traffic FinesThe minimum speeding fine for an infringement is £100. A notice will be sent to the car’s registered keeper by the enforcement authority. In a renter’s case, the notice will be sent to the car hire company and passed on to the renter.
Parking tickets usually need to be paid within 28 days. In some cases, the fine is reduced by 50% if the payment is made within 14 days. Failure to pay the parking tickets within the given period will result in the penalty notice being passed onto the car hire company.
In some cases, the car hire company will debit your credit card for the penalty fee and add an administration charge. It is advisable for you to contact QEEQ’ customer service team if you believe you have been charged incorrectly.
Q1.What is an insurance excess？
Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?
Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?
Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?
Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?
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Customer Service
May 20, 2025
Destination: London
It was okay, they explained the existing damage and taught me how to start the electric car for the first time.
View moreMay 19, 2025
Destination: London
It's a long story.
View moreMay 19, 2025
Destination: Oxford
**Feedback on Oxford Car Rental Experience** Recently, we rented a vehicle in Oxford for two days (local pick-up and drop-off). The overall experience was somewhat complicated, as outlined below: **Rental Process and Location** The pick-up point is approximately a 20-minute walk from Oxford train station, which is fairly reasonable. However, please note that walking is manageable if you have no large luggage; if carrying substantial belongings, it is recommended to plan transportation in advance. **Service Attitude and Sales Issues** - The staff had a rather indifferent attitude and frequently attempted to upsell additional services such as insurance and accessories during the communication. Upon declining, the rental deposit was immediately increased, which felt like undue pressure. - When asking for details about the upgrade packages, the staff could not clearly explain the content or benefits, making it difficult to make an informed decision. This reflects a lack of professionalism. **Fee Transparency Concerns** - There were noticeable issues during payment: after the first payment attempt failed, the system displayed an increased amount of £20 without justification. The staff did not provide a reasonable explanation or any written proof, leading to doubts about fee transparency. A thorough review of the system or procedural loopholes is recommended. **Vehicle Condition** The rented vehicle was in good condition, handled smoothly (per feedback from the accompanying driver), and had no mechanical issues, which met expectations. **Return Arrangements** As the return date fell on a public holiday, the car rental agency was closed. Following their instructions, we parked the vehicle in the designated area and mailed back the keys. We are unable to fully evaluate the completeness of the return process.
View moreMay 18, 2025
Destination: London
Too many upsells and hidden charges.
View moreMay 18, 2025
Destination: Birmingham
Few people, no queues, and it's close to the airport. There's a dedicated driver for pickup and drop-off, but you need to call them. The insurance fees are extremely expensive, significantly higher than typical rental companies, even exceeding the car rental cost. Suitable for experienced drivers who don't need insurance.
View moreMay 18, 2025
Destination: London
Very satisfied!
View moreMay 17, 2025
Destination: Birmingham
Very satisfied! There was an issue with illegal parking, but the staff helped make a quick phone call to resolve it immediately. They were very friendly, and both picking up and dropping off the car were easy to find. It was a great experience overall.
View moreMay 17, 2025
Destination: London
Very satisfied
View moreMay 16, 2025
Destination: London
The car rental company operates quite professionally. At the airport, you need to ask the staff for directions as the location of the shuttle bus may have changed. I experienced a parking lot scratch, which was my fault. According to the policy, I needed to report it to the police, but without a dispute, the police wouldn't intervene. Calling both the emergency number and the rental company proved ineffective. The Avis locations near Oxford shown on Google Maps were all closed. Fortunately, the QEEQ platform offers 24/7 support. They advised me to use the online reporting platform to file the information and confirmed that police intervention was unnecessary. When returning the car, the Avis staff inspected it quickly, and £500 was directly charged to my credit card without requiring my signature. Thankfully, I had purchased supplementary insurance back in my home country. After providing photos and relevant information, QEEQ promptly processed the claim. This was my first time encountering an accident during a multi-country self-drive trip, but thanks to the supplementary insurance and QEEQ's reliable service, the situation was manageable. Much appreciated.
View moreMay 14, 2025
Destination: London
Excellent service, I will choose them again next time.
View moreMay 13, 2025
Destination: London
The car was in good condition, the service was excellent, and the pick-up and drop-off process was quick.
View moreMay 13, 2025
Destination: London
Very satisfied
View moreMay 13, 2025
Destination: Southampton
I scheduled a car pickup for 8 a.m., and the service staff was very punctual.
View moreMay 12, 2025
Destination: London
The overall experience was excellent. QEEQ's customer service is very knowledgeable, and I've rented cars through QEEQ many times before. Extremely satisfied.
View moreMay 11, 2025
Destination: London
Satisfied
View moreMay 11, 2025
Destination: Manchester
Very good
View moreMay 10, 2025
Destination: Edinburgh
Pretty good, but the wait in line was too long.
View moreMay 10, 2025
Destination: London
The rental location is not inside the airport, requiring you to walk to Bus Stop 12 (which is actually the farthest stop) for the shuttle to pick you up, so make sure to leave enough time. Since the car model wasn't one we were familiar with, driving it was quite inconvenient initially. To make things worse, shortly after starting, a tire pressure warning alert appeared. We called customer service, and they told us to find a repair shop ourselves. While in Birmingham, we thought of getting it checked at one of their local offices, but they said the car wasn't rented from their branch and refused to help. There were also one or two occasions when the oil warning light came on, which indicates the vehicle likely needs maintenance. Who would be responsible if issues occurred during travel due to such vehicle conditions? Next time we'll avoid cheap options and go for major car rental companies instead.
View moreMay 9, 2025
Destination: London
Very satisfied
View moreMay 9, 2025
Destination: London
Great experience, the rental process was smooth.
View moreMay 7, 2025
Destination: Glasgow
Excellent service, especially want to praise the staff handling car returns.
View moreMay 6, 2025
Destination: Edinburgh
Very satisfied, the staff are nice.
View moreMay 5, 2025
Destination: London
I booked a BMW, but they didn't have it and gave me a Volkswagen instead. The seats were very uncomfortable.
View moreMay 4, 2025
Destination: Exeter
The staff was welcoming, provided clear explanations, and was very patient. The process was convenient, and there was no need to print a pickup form.
View moreMay 4, 2025
Destination: Belfast
A very satisfying car rental experience. We took the night ferry from Liverpool and arrived in Belfast early in the morning. The earliest pickup time available was 9 AM, but it was raining that day, and we got there at 8 AM, expecting to wait in the rain for an hour. However, a staff member showed up at 8 AM and helped us complete the car pickup procedures ahead of schedule. The car was brand new as well. Excellent service!
View moreMay 2, 2025
Destination: Leeds
Very good, smooth experience.
View moreApril 30, 2025
Destination: London
Very good.
View moreApril 30, 2025
Destination: London
The overall service was quite satisfactory. The car pickup process was relatively simple, but it required two non-UnionPay credit cards for the deposit. Returning the car was also very convenient. If there was no accident and the tank was full, just return it as is. Staff will check the fuel level and inspect the car body. That’s it for the return!
View moreApril 28, 2025
Destination: London
Very satisfied
View moreApril 27, 2025
Destination: London
Satisfied
View moreApril 27, 2025
Destination: Sheffield
I booked a fuel car, but they told me only electric cars were available upon arrival. It's so frustrating! Using electric cars in the UK is really inconvenient, and the charging fees are expensive. I returned the car on Sunday, but the rental company was closed, so they made me rent an extra day. Ridiculous! They didn't explain any of this when I picked up the car.
View moreApril 26, 2025
Destination: London
Satisfied with the free shuttle to Hilton, and the car was parked in the Hilton parking lot.
View moreApril 26, 2025
Destination: Newcastle Upon Tyne
The staff was quite nice, but there was a language barrier.
View moreApril 25, 2025
Destination: Southampton
The gentleman that we talked to at the Alamo counter was friendly and very helpful. He answered questions and did his best to get things taken care of as quickly as possible while still being very thorough.
View moreApril 24, 2025
Destination: London
I've never had such a smooth experience before.
View moreApril 23, 2025
Destination: Glasgow
Smooth check-in with very helpful staff even during peak hours.
View moreApril 22, 2025
Destination: London
It took an extremely long time, and the type of car provided was completely different from what was promised. The car had a lot of scratches and was in poor condition.
View moreApril 21, 2025
Destination: London
The Europcar branch in London was relatively easy to find. The staff initially tried to upsell an upgraded vehicle model, but after I clearly declined, they still provided the original model. Overall, it was alright. The car had quite a few scratches, but during the return process, the staff inspected the vehicle very thoroughly.
View moreApril 20, 2025
Destination: London
Avis are high quality established car rental company and staff very helpful.
View moreApril 19, 2025
Destination: Manchester
The staff member had a strong accent and seemed to be new to the job, as they were not very familiar with the procedures. However, their attitude was quite friendly, so I decided to overlook it. Be aware of the company's additional charges: 1. They only provide electric vehicles, and if you want to switch to a petrol car, it costs over £30 per day extra. 2. The deposit is £1,800, but after paying an extra £72, it was reduced to £1,000. 3. The rental platform showed no mileage limits, but at the store, I was informed there is a 100-mile limit per day, and exceeding it incurs extra charges. Additionally, this was my first time driving an electric car, and I only found out at the store that they only offer electric vehicles. I wasn’t familiar with charging procedures. The company provided only a grounding cable for slow charging, and the staff told me that charging stations were easy to find. However, in reality, slow-charging stations require double-ended cables and I couldn’t find any compatible stations for the grounding cable. Eventually, I had to look for fast-charging stations, which are significantly fewer compared to slow-charging points.
View moreApril 16, 2025
Destination: Edinburgh
Very satisfied
View moreApril 14, 2025
Destination: London
Satisfied
View moreApril 12, 2025
Destination: London
The experience was okay. I rented a Volvo V60, but initially, they offered a Kia. After some negotiation, they provided a BMW 1 Series... Everything else was fine.
View moreApril 11, 2025
Destination: York
Overall satisfied. The staff were friendly, professional, and efficient.
View moreApril 9, 2025
Destination: Manchester
No hard selling, good service attitude, and the car was in great condition.
View moreApril 7, 2025
Destination: London
Although my flight was delayed, they kept the vehicle for me. However, they still tried to sell me driving insurance. The fuel tank was only half full, so I had to refuel before hitting the road.
View moreApril 6, 2025
Destination: Edinburgh
This was my first time renting a car in the UK and driving on the right-hand side. Driving in the Scottish Highlands with narrow roads took some time to get used to. The vehicle was in excellent condition. The staff handling pickup and return were efficient and straightforward, and the car was even upgraded!
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: Edinburgh
Overall, it's pretty good.
View moreApril 5, 2025
Destination: London
The overall service was fine, but our car was canceled due to our flight delay, and we had to pay more to get another car at the store.
View moreApril 4, 2025
Destination: London
We arrived a bit later than the scheduled pickup time, yet there were no cars available. After completing the paperwork, we had to wait over ten minutes for the car to return.
View more