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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking with Hertz in London include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car hire companies in London, 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 excess (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 hire 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 car hire experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in London.
Will I face unexpected charges at the Hertz counter in London when I book through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in London 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 London 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 hire 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)
Where is the Hertz counter at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports?
Hertz operates hire counters at four major London airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and London City (LCY).
- Heathrow is located approximately 30 kilometres west of central London via the M4 motorway.
- At Gatwick, the Hertz counter is on the Ground Floor of the North Terminal, with Gatwick sitting approximately 45 kilometres south of London via the M23.
- Stansted is to the north-east, accessible via the M11.
After landing at any of these London airports, follow the hire signs after baggage claim. Allow a realistic 30 to 60 minutes from touchdown to account for immigration, baggage collection, and counter processing before you drive away in your Hertz vehicle.
Hertz also operates city centre locations in London, including St Pancras, Marble Arch, Edgware Road, Bloomsbury Square (WC1A 2RJ), and Wembley Designer Outlet (Red Car Park, Royal Route, HA9 0FD), which can be a cost-effective alternative to airport collection.
What documents do I need to pick up a Hertz hire car in London?
To collect your Hertz hire car in London, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:
- Your original, unexpired driver’s licence (physical card, not digital).
- A major credit card in the main driver’s name with the name printed on the card, for the authorisation hold.
- A valid passport or government-issued photo ID.
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from abroad).
If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid without the original licence.
In Great Britain, many visitors can drive on a full, valid foreign licence for up to 12 months depending on their status and country of origin. Always verify current official guidance before your London trip. The Hertz desk follows local law and partner requirements, so bring all documents in physical form as digital copies are not accepted.
Does Hertz charge a Congestion Charge or ULEZ fee in London?
Yes, London-specific road charges apply to Hertz hire vehicles and are the driver’s responsibility unless otherwise stated in your hire agreement.
- The London Congestion Charge applies in the central zone, typically on weekdays from 07:00 to 18:00, and costs approximately GBP 15 per day.
- The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covers a wider area and charges approximately GBP 12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles.
- If you fail to pay these charges directly via the Transport for London (TfL) website using your vehicle’s registration plate, the Hertz hire company may add an administrative fee of approximately GBP 40 on top of the original charge.
Before driving into central London in your Hertz vehicle, check whether the car meets ULEZ standards and pay any applicable charges promptly through the official TfL portal. These fees are separate from standard hire costs and are not covered by your prepaid rate. Always confirm with the Hertz counter which zones your vehicle is permitted to enter and whether any charges are pre-arranged.
How do tolls work for a Hertz hire car in London and the UK, and can I get cashback?
Toll roads in the UK are cashless and use electronic payment or number plate recognition. The main motorway toll relevant to drivers leaving London is the M6 Toll in the West Midlands, a 26-mile stretch where a car pays approximately GBP 10.30 for all three zones or GBP 8.30 for two zones. Tolls are the driver’s responsibility unless a pre-paid toll programme is selected at the Hertz counter.
If you use a toll road without enrolling in a toll programme, Hertz will charge the toll at the highest undiscounted rate plus applicable processing fees after the hire ends. Toll charges can appear on your card days or even weeks after you return the vehicle, as toll agencies process invoices in batches.
All bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your London hire. To claim:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your Hertz vehicle.
- Include your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or statement.
- Refunds are issued to your original payment method within 7 to 10 working days after approval.
Can I pick up a Hertz car at a London airport and return it to a different city?
Yes, Hertz offers one-way hires across London locations and the wider UK. You can pick up at any London Hertz location, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City Airport, or city centre spots such as Marble Arch, St Pancras, or Wembley, and return to a different location.
Hertz also offers a service called Hertz One, a one-way option for just GBP 1 per day between selected UK locations, which is notably more affordable than distance-based one-way fees charged by some other brands.
For one-way hires between London and locations in Continental Europe, one-way travel is permitted between selected major cities, though cross-border fees and restrictions may apply. A drop-off fee may appear in your booking confirmation under the section listing charges due at the destination. Always review this before completing your reservation, as the fee varies by route, vehicle class, and season. If the fee shown at the Hertz counter differs from what your confirmation states, keep all paperwork and contact support after the hire.
How much is the security deposit for a Hertz hire in London?
When you collect your Hertz vehicle in London, the counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends.
For standard vehicles in the United Kingdom, most Hertz locations place a hold of approximately GBP 300 to GBP 400. Premium or speciality vehicle classes may carry a higher hold amount. The exact figure is set by the Hertz desk and local policy, so treat these figures as estimates only.
- You must present a physical, major credit card in the main driver’s name with the name printed on the card. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit.
- Ensure your card is enabled for international in-person transactions and that you have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges.
- Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined.
After you return the Hertz vehicle in London, the hold is released, but your bank controls when it reappears on your available balance, which can take up to 15 working days.
Is an International Driving Permit required to rent from Hertz in London?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not automatically mandatory to rent from Hertz in London, but whether you need one depends on your licence.
- If your driver’s licence is issued in English or by an EU or EEA country, you can generally drive in Great Britain without an IDP for up to 12 months, depending on your residency status and country of origin.
- If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an IDP is required alongside your original licence at the Hertz counter in London.
- Paper licences or licences from certain territories may also require an IDP. Always verify current official guidance before travelling.
The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted at the Hertz counter without your original licence. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to London, as it cannot be issued abroad. Bring both documents in physical form, as digital copies are not accepted at the counter.
What insurance is included with a Hertz hire in London?
By law, all Hertz hire vehicles in London and across the UK include third-party liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. This statutory cover is included in the hire price and is valid across the EU as well.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduce your financial liability for damage to the Hertz vehicle itself. A deductible or excess typically applies unless your booking confirmation explicitly states zero. Standard excess amounts in London can range from GBP 1,000 to GBP 2,000, and a Super CDW option may be available at the counter to reduce or eliminate that excess.
- CDW and LDW do not cover third-party liability, personal injuries, or personal belongings.
- Tires, the undercarriage, the roof, and keys are commonly excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased.
- Coverage applies only to drivers named on the Hertz hire agreement.
Review your booking confirmation carefully to confirm which protections are included in your London Hertz rate before accepting or declining any additional cover at the counter.
What happens if I break down in my Hertz hire car in London?
If you experience a breakdown or roadside emergency in your Hertz hire car in London, contact the Hertz roadside assistance number printed on your hire agreement immediately. Do not attempt to arrange repairs independently, as unauthorized work may void your cover.
Most bookings made through Hola Car Rentals also include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which offers additional support beyond standard roadside help. This benefit covers up to 5 passengers and includes:
- Medical cover for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses during your London trip.
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident.
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline.
- Flight cancellation insurance.
To activate Travel Assistance, call +1 888 980 9992 (available 24 hours, toll-free or collect), or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001. Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location in London, and a brief description of the situation. Follow the coordinator’s instructions and keep all receipts and reports.
Please note this Travel Assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.
Is it cheaper to pick up a Hertz car at a London city centre location than at the airport?
Yes, picking up a Hertz vehicle at a London city centre location is often cheaper than renting at an airport, primarily because airport locations add concession fees that are passed on to the renter. At London Heathrow, for example, these airport concession fees can add approximately GBP 10 to GBP 15 per day to the hire cost.
Hertz operates several city centre locations in London that avoid these airport surcharges, including:
- St Pancras (approximately a 25-minute drive from Hyde Park).
- Marble Arch, near Edgware Road.
- Bloomsbury Square (WC1A 2RJ), near the British Museum and Oxford Street.
- Wembley Designer Outlet (Red Car Park, Royal Route, HA9 0FD).
The trade-off is that you will need to travel from the airport to the city centre location using public transport before collecting your Hertz vehicle, which adds time and transit cost. If you plan to drive immediately after landing at Heathrow or Gatwick, the airport counter may be more practical despite the higher daily rate. Consider both the price difference and your travel plans when choosing your London Hertz location.
How does the fuel policy work for a Hertz hire in London?
Hertz hires in London follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.
- At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the Hertz agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge.
- During your London hire, use the correct fuel type. Wrong-fuel incidents are not covered by the fuel policy and may generate significant charges.
- Before returning the vehicle, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 kilometres of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full en route.
- Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as evidence in case of any dispute.
If you return the Hertz vehicle in London with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee. Taking photos of the full gauge at return and keeping your receipt are the best ways to protect yourself against incorrect fuel charges.
Can I add an additional driver to my Hertz hire in London?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Hertz hire in London, either as part of your rate or for a fee paid at the counter.
Check your booking confirmation first. If it states additional driver included or additional driver free of charge, the first extra driver is covered at no extra cost. If it is not included, Hertz charges approximately US$13.50 per hire day for an additional driver, up to a maximum of US$189, plus applicable local taxes.
- The additional driver must be present at the Hertz counter in London at pickup with their own valid driver’s licence and photo ID.
- If their licence is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet, they must also bring an International Driving Permit.
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement.
- Only drivers named on the agreement are covered by CDW, LDW, and liability protections.
If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Hertz branch in London to update the agreement. Allowing an unnamed person to drive the vehicle may void your cover and result in additional charges.
What are the driving rules in London that Hertz renters should know before getting on the road?
Driving in London presents several challenges that differ from most other cities, and Hertz renters should be aware of them before setting off.
- Traffic drives on the left side of the road throughout the UK. If you are accustomed to right-hand driving, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.
- London's road network was shaped by unfinished 1960s motorway plans, leaving awkward junctions, inconsistent carriageway standards, and complex one-way systems throughout the city. The North Circular has varying quality with difficult interchanges, while the South Circular is mostly single carriageway through dense residential areas.
- The M11 motorway ends abruptly at Junction 4, discharging traffic onto local roads, which can catch first-time visitors off guard.
- Speed cameras are widespread across London and the wider UK. Obey posted limits at all times.
- The Congestion Charge zone in central London applies on weekdays from 07:00 to 18:00. The ULEZ covers a broader area. Both charges must be paid directly via the Transport for London website using your Hertz vehicle’s registration plate.
- Late returns, even by one hour, may be charged at a full extra day rate at the walk-in price. Plan your return to the Hertz location carefully.
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