Car Rental
in United Kingdom

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car rental companies in the United Kingdom, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate offers additional benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no deductible (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your rental period
• Premium travel medical assistance, covering up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this at no extra cost, guaranteeing you a unique rental experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in the United Kingdom.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in the United Kingdom are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in the United Kingdom charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the rental partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

To pick up a rental car in the United Kingdom, you must bring all of the following physical documents to the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• Your original, unexpired driver's license
• A major credit card with your name printed on it, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold
• Your passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets

Regarding your driver's license: many visitors can drive in the United Kingdom on a full, valid foreign license for up to 12 months depending on your country of origin and residency status. However, if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) as a translation alongside your original license. The IDP is not a standalone document and will not be accepted without the original license.

Always check official United Kingdom government guidance to confirm your specific entitlement before travel, as rules can vary by license origin and immigration status.

Not always, but it depends on your license. In the United Kingdom, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required if your driver's license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. If your license is printed in a Latin-based script and is fully valid, you can generally drive in the United Kingdom without an IDP for up to 12 months.

Drivers from countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States typically do not need an IDP for the United Kingdom, as their licenses use Latin characters and are issued in English or with an English translation.

Important points to remember:

• The IDP is a translation only and must always be carried together with your original license
• An IDP alone is not valid without the original license
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before traveling, as it cannot be issued abroad
• Always verify your specific situation against official United Kingdom government guidance before your trip

At most United Kingdom airports, the pickup process involves two steps: finding the rental desk inside the terminal, then taking a shuttle to an off-site vehicle lot.

At London Heathrow (LHR), car hire desks are located in the arrivals hall of each terminal. From there, you take a shuttle bus to the off-site rental lot, which is typically a 5 to 10 minute ride. Shuttle stop locations vary by brand:

• Enterprise, Alamo, and National: stops 7 and 8 for Terminals 2 and 3, stops 26 and 27 for Terminal 5
• Avis and Budget: stops 7 and 8 for Terminal 2, stops 17 and 18 for Terminal 3, stop 2 for Terminal 4

At London Stansted (STN), all major suppliers are located in a car rental village just outside the terminal, reached by a short shuttle of approximately 2 minutes. Smaller suppliers may be farther away with longer shuttle times.

Other major United Kingdom airports such as Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh follow similar patterns with terminal desks and shuttles to off-site lots. Unlike some airports in the United States, there is no single consolidated rental center at United Kingdom airports. Follow company-specific signage to your brand's desk and shuttle stop.

When returning your vehicle in the United Kingdom, you return to the same off-site lot and take the shuttle back to your departure terminal.

The United Kingdom has several toll roads, tunnels, and bridges that rental drivers may encounter. The most significant is the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, a 26-mile stretch running from Junction 3a to Junction 11a. Pricing for the M6 Toll depends on how many zones you use: a car pays GBP 10.30 for all three zones or GBP 8.30 for two zones. Larger vehicles pay more; motorcyclists pay less.

Other tolled infrastructure in the United Kingdom includes the Dartford Crossing near London, which uses cashless automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) billing, and various bridges and tunnels with their own payment structures.

As a rental driver in the United Kingdom, you are responsible for paying all tolls incurred during your rental period. If you do not pay, you will likely receive a fine as well as an additional administrative charge from the rental company. Some partners such as Hertz offer a pre-paid tolling service for a daily rate, which you can opt into at the counter.

In addition to motorway tolls, the United Kingdom has city-center charges to be aware of:

• London Congestion Charge applies to driving in central London during charging hours
• Clean Air Zones (CAZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) operate in several United Kingdom cities
• Durham also operates a congestion charge

Unlike France or Austria, the United Kingdom does not require a motorway vignette sticker.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your United Kingdom rental.

This benefit is useful in the United Kingdom given the various tolled roads and crossings you may encounter, including the M6 Toll, the Dartford Crossing, and other bridges or tunnels. You pay tolls normally during your trip, then submit a claim after returning the vehicle.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your United Kingdom rental:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - Reservation [Your Confirmation Number]
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking

The refund is processed to your original payment method and typically takes 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days will not be accepted. Note that Tolls Cashback covers toll charges only, not fines, parking tickets, or congestion charge penalties.

Yes, driving in the United Kingdom requires an important adjustment: traffic moves on the left side of the road, and all rental vehicles are right-hand drive. This is the opposite of most continental European countries and North America, and it is one of the most significant differences visitors face when renting a car in the United Kingdom.

Additional driving rules and conditions to be aware of in the United Kingdom:

• Speed limits are in miles per hour, not kilometers per hour. Urban limits are typically 30 mph, and motorways are 70 mph
• Speed cameras are widespread throughout the United Kingdom, including on motorways, and fines can reach GBP 1,000
• Roundabouts are very common. You must yield to traffic already on the roundabout and signal left when exiting
• Zebra crossings require drivers to stop fully for pedestrians
• Using a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited and enforced by cameras
• Rural lanes can be narrow with slow-moving farm vehicles

The United Kingdom uses miles-only road signs, which can be disorienting for drivers accustomed to metric measurements. Taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with left-hand driving before leaving the rental lot in the United Kingdom will help you adjust more quickly.

In the United Kingdom, most rental companies place a temporary hold of approximately GBP 300 to GBP 400 on your credit card at the time of pickup. This is an authorization, not a charge, and it reduces your available credit until the rental is closed and your bank releases the hold.

Important things to know about the deposit in the United Kingdom:

• You must present a physical, major credit card with your name printed on it. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit
• The card must be in the main driver's name
• Premium or specialty vehicles may require a higher hold than the typical range
• Even if you prepaid your booking online, a credit card is still required at the counter for the hold

After you return the vehicle in the United Kingdom, the rental company releases the hold. However, your bank or card issuer controls when the funds become available again, and this can take up to 15 business days. Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on in-person transactions abroad.

Yes, by law all rental vehicles in the United Kingdom must include third-party liability insurance, and this coverage is included in the rental price. This means you are covered for bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving the rental car in the United Kingdom.

United Kingdom law requires a minimum of GBP 1 million to GBP 5 million in bodily injury liability coverage, which is stricter than the basic minimum required in some other European countries.

However, third-party liability is separate from coverage for the rental vehicle itself. To understand your full protection:

• Third-party liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers injury or damage you cause to others and is included by law in the United Kingdom
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers damage to the rental car itself and may carry a deductible or excess
• CDW/LDW does not cover third parties, and third-party liability does not cover the rental vehicle

Review your booking confirmation carefully to understand which coverages are included in your rate and what deductible, if any, applies for vehicle damage in the United Kingdom.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to rentals in the United Kingdom. If you experience a medical emergency, a road accident, or another covered event during your United Kingdom trip, this benefit can provide important support.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage is particularly relevant in the United Kingdom given the country's motorway network and the possibility of incidents far from major cities. If something happens, contact the assistance line immediately before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorization.

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Please note that this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your United Kingdom rental at the counter when you pick up the vehicle. The additional driver must be present in person and bring their valid driver's license and passport or ID. They must also meet the minimum age requirements for renting in the United Kingdom.

Whether the additional driver fee is included or charged separately depends on your rate:

• Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads "Additional driver free of charge" to see if it is already included
• If not included, a daily fee applies at the counter and varies by rental company
• Avis, Budget, and Payless charge approximately US$13 per rental day, capped at US$65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar charge approximately US$13.50 per rental day, capped at US$189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise charge approximately US$15 per day

Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement in the United Kingdom. Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the rental protections such as CDW/LDW and liability insurance. If someone drives who is not named on the contract, coverage may be void.

If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a branch location to update the agreement.

Renting a car at a United Kingdom airport typically adds several fees on top of the base rate. Understanding these charges helps you compare airport versus downtown pickup options.

Common fees and taxes you may encounter when renting at a United Kingdom airport include:

• Airport concession recovery fee: typically 10% to 20% of the base rate at major airports such as London Heathrow and Gatwick
• VAT at 20%, which applies to the rental rate and most associated fees in the United Kingdom
• Occasional tourism or local levies in certain regions such as Scotland

In total, these additions can increase your base rental cost by 25% to 40% at United Kingdom airports. By comparison, renting from a downtown or off-airport location in cities such as London or Manchester can be 20% to 40% cheaper, as these locations avoid the airport concession fee. However, you would need to arrange your own transport from the airport to the pickup location.

Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the counter. If your confirmation states "Taxes and Fees: Included," you should not be billed separately for those items at the United Kingdom rental counter. The No Extra Charges© guarantee covers situations where included fees are incorrectly charged at pickup.

The standard fuel policy for rental cars in the United Kingdom is Full-to-Full. This means you receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it with a full tank to avoid additional charges.

Steps to follow for a smooth fuel experience in the United Kingdom:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Ask the agent about the nearest fuel station to the return location before you leave
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

Fuel prices in the United Kingdom are among the higher ones in Europe due to taxation. As of early 2026, petrol averages approximately EUR 1.62 per liter and diesel approximately EUR 1.84 per liter, so budgeting for fuel costs is worthwhile on longer United Kingdom trips.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the rental company will charge you for the shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. Returning the car full is always the most cost-effective option.

No, in most cases you cannot take a United Kingdom rental car to continental Europe without explicit prior authorization from the rental company, and this permission is rarely granted.

There are several reasons why cross-border travel from the United Kingdom to continental Europe is heavily restricted for rental cars:

• United Kingdom rental vehicles are right-hand drive, which creates practical difficulties on right-hand traffic roads in France, Germany, and other continental European countries
• Ferry and Channel Tunnel crossings add logistical and insurance complications
• Standard rental insurance and CDW/LDW coverage may be voided if you cross into an unauthorized territory without a specific add-on
• One-way fees for cross-border drops can exceed EUR 500 when permitted at all

If you need to travel between the United Kingdom and Ireland, the situation is different. Rentals in the United Kingdom generally permit travel to Northern Ireland seamlessly, and Irish rentals typically allow crossings into Northern Ireland as well, since both territories share left-hand driving.

If cross-border travel is part of your plans, confirm the permitted driving territory with the rental company before booking. Driving outside the authorized area in a United Kingdom rental car without permission can void your coverage entirely.