A Guide to Renting a Car in the UK. Driving is an essential part of life for many of us in the UK; whether commuting to work or making regular trips for family, access to a vehicle can be key to keeping up with the pace of modern life. But between rising household costs and shrinking real-term wages, owning a car has become prohibitively expensive for a core group of UK citizens. Whether a new driver or an old hand with a specific need for a car, what might you need to know about hiring a vehicle?
Rental Requirements.
First, it is important to understand some of the common requirements behind renting a car; not every person with a driver’s license is necessarily able to rent their own vehicle, depending on the rental company they try to rent with. Firstly, essentials include a valid driving license and a second form of ID, such as a passport. You may also need to provide payment information in advance in order to pay a deposit.
There are no legal limits on age with regard to rental, but most car rental businesses impose their own age limits – with 25 being a common minimum age for rental. This is generally because younger drivers are more at risk of road traffic accidents, presenting an increased risk to the business. There are businesses that offer car rentals to younger drivers, but these often command a higher price as a result!
How to Choose a Rental Company.
At this point, then, it’s prudent to touch on choosing a rental company to hire with. There are many in the UK, from smaller-scale local hire firms to international firms. Your first consideration when choosing between them should be your specific needs. If you need a vehicle for moving goods or equipment, you might be better served aiming for a local business with a fleet of vans than opting for a commuter car with another rental company. Price comparisons are also easy to make online, allowing you to find the cheapest and best option.
Car Insurance.
Another important topic to broach is that of insurance. Vehicles are insured, as opposed to people – meaning that your insurance policy will likely not ‘follow’ you to your rental vehicle. As such, you must ensure you avail of temporary driver’s insurance for the vehicle you are renting. Most rental companies provide insurance with their vehicles as standard, but there are instances in which this may not be the case, and you should plan accordingly.
Understanding the Rental Terms.
Terms and conditions are crucial to understand fully before signing up for a given hire; each rental company will have different specifics concerning their own conditions, which you will need to know so as not to fall foul of any hidden fines or charges. For example, an international rental business might have different local rules regarding the age of the renter, making driving between them troublesome for younger drivers. You should also understand the cancellation policy, in case a short-term cancellation is likely and could cost you dearly as a result.
Renting a car can seem like a difficult process, but rental companies will make it as easy as possible for you to access a hire car. Provided you bring it back in time, and in one piece, you will be good to go!
Hope you’ve found our article, A Guide to Renting a Car in the UK useful.
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