Prepare to hit the road
Are you ready to take the wheel on your UK road trip? Read on for more local travel tips.
Your rental car
When you book a UK self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, you’ll be able to pick the rental vehicle of your choice from the tour page.
During your trip you’ll have unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver and 2 authorised drivers. This way you can share the driving experience with your travel partner!
When you arrive at the rental office, it’s important that you read carefully through your rental vehicle agreement. Ask any questions if you find information unclear. You could also decide to add extra insurance for your peace of mind. This is all done directly with the agent.
Before you set off with your car, make sure it’s in good condition. Check all lights and the spare tire.
- Check out self-drive tours in the UK
Repairs and breakdowns
When hiring a car, you are responsible for changing a flat tire and getting it repaired. So make sure to have an intact spare tire at all times. In case of a major breakdown, contact your vehicle rental agent before notifying your Nordic Visitor travel consultant.
Safe driving in the United Kingdom
Here are some quick facts about driving safely:
- Motorists drive on the left side of the road. If you’re used to driving on the right, we recommend booking an automatic transmission car, not a manual, to make it easier.
- All passengers must wear safety belts.
- Children under 12 (shorter than 135cm or 4 ft 5 in) must be in a child seat. If you need one, contact your travel consultant.
- Pull over to make any calls, as it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, except with a headset, hands-free set, or in-car Bluetooth.
- Drinking and driving laws are strict, and the legal blood alcohol limit differs depending where you are. In England and Wales the legal limit is 80 mg in 100 ml of blood, while in Scotland it’s 50 mg in 100 ml of blood. The UK Government advises it is best not to drink any amount of alcohol when you’re planning to drive.
If you wish to visit multiple whisky distilleries on your Scotland trip, we suggest booking a guided tour package.
Petrol (gas) stations
Make sure to check which type of fuel your car requires (usually on the cover of the fuel cap) before filling the tank. In rural areas you should keep a close eye on your fuel levels, since there can be long distances between stations in remote areas.
In urban areas you will often find self-service stations, open 24 hours. These locations only accept debit or credit cards with a 4-digit PIN. If you do not have a card with a PIN, you might be able to pay inside at the service desk or buy a prepaid gas card to use at the pump.
In Scotland, fuel is generally cheaper on the mainland than on the isles.
Parking
Some hotels offer overnight parking for their guests, but it’s not a given. You can find paid parking in many downtown areas in cities, and fees vary depending on where you are. Check locally for exact fees.
Most ticket machines require coins, but more and more you can pay by card or via apps (for example, RingGo). Please note that internet access will be required if you opt to use an app to purchase a parking session.
Keep in mind that parking fines are high in city centres. Illegally parked cars may be towed at the driver’s expense, so be careful.
Speed limits
In the UK, speed limits are posted as miles per hour (mph):
Urban areas: general speed limit is 20 or 30 mph (48 km/hr)
Single carriageways: 60 mph (97 km/hr)
Motorways and dual carriageways: 70 mph (113 km/hr)
If you see a white, round sign with a diagonal black stripe, it means national speed limit. That limit will depend on the road you’re on. It’s usually 60 mph unless there is a central reservation, such as on motorways.
Toll roads
There are a number of toll roads and pay-bridges in England and Wales. Each one has its own pricing tariff, but they range from less than £1 to just under £10. It’s worth keeping cash on you if you are going to be driving through a toll, in case they don’t accept card payments.
There are no toll roads or pay-bridges in Scotland, since the Scottish Government abolished tolls in 2008. Save your coins for parking or cups of coffee when you’re north of the English border!
Roundabouts
There are many roundabouts in the UK. The rules for these are simple: give way to all vehicles coming from your right, and always turn left on entering a roundabout.
Common road hazards
Rural roads can be narrow and winding, particularly in the more remote areas. Some bridges are only wide enough for one car at a time. In this case, the car closest to the bridge gets the right of way for crossing.
Also, proceed with extra caution when approaching blind summits and corners, or hidden dips, as there may be oncoming traffic or animals on the road.
Please familiarise yourself with UK road signs so you are aware of potential hazards.
Single track roads
In many parts of the UK countryside it’s common to find single-track (one lane) roads. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or the driver behind wants to overtake, pull into one of the passing places on your left.
Many passing places are marked by either black and white poles at the roadside, or special square signs, but some passing places are not marked.
If the passing place is on the right, stop on the left side of the road opposite the passing place. Also, always give way to vehicles coming uphill when possible. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass.
It’s customary to give a friendly “thanks” wave if another car has reversed or waited for you to pass.
Wildlife hazards
In the more rural parts of the country, free-roaming sheep and other wildlife are frequently spotted near roadsides and often wander onto the roads. If you notice sheep near the road, slow down, and if they are on the road, honk the horn.
In the Scottish Highlands, if you are driving before sunrise or after sunset, then red deer are also a consideration. With no natural predators, these beautiful native animals have undergone a bit of a population explosion in recent years.
Follow this advice for ultimate safety:
- If you see deer warning road signs, lower your speed and stay vigilant, especially in wooded areas.
- Glowing eyes by the roadside typically indicate that a herd of deer is nearby – exercise the same caution as if you had seen a road sign.
- Keep your headlights on full beam when you can, but dip them if you see deer, to lower the risk of them "freezing in the headlights".
- Stay calm and prepare yourself to stop if you spot deer on the road, as suddenly swerving on rural routes could be a hazard to you and other drivers.
- Call the police on 999 to report an accident if your car (or another vehicle) collides with a deer. They can contact someone to help the injured deer, provide a report for insurance purposes, and prevent further collision risks.
- If you must stop for any reason, stop somewhere safe and use your hazard lights to warn other road users.
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