My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to visit a friend of hers near London in February, and I would love to be able to rent a classic Mini to drive for that week. Is it even possible for me to drive in England, or would I first have to take some sort of test demonstrating ability with right-hand drive, staying to the left, etc.? A friend of mine who has driven there (he had no idea if it was legal or not) said that he was fine staying to the left until he got to rotaries, and those really screwed him up. I guess you must have to go around clockwise... Shifting with my left hand seems like it might be a bit of a challenge as well.

Anyway, I'd really appreciate any knowledge/experience that anybody can provide here.

 

I've told that all you need is a valid US license to rent a car in the UK (my boss is english). However, I would confirm this with a travel agent or with the UK before I went. I haven't driven a english standard transmission but I've been told that the adjustment is not a bad as you would think (at least the pedals are the same).

Enjoy the trip!
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I found it disturbing easy to rent a car in England. Flashed a passport, AMEX and they handed me the keys to a GTI. Being the ugly american, I expected there to be a little training area, but, really, it was just a car rental place, as here, so about two minutes after I get in the GTI, I am trying to negotiate a double roundabout. Note, almost all rentals are standard shift (automatic is xtra), which is great fun, but more difficult than you might think (particularly since I had only ever a gate with reverse lower right. I could never tell if I was hitting first or reverse in the VW).

Now, I had not driven much for a couple years (live in NY) when got there, so maybe it isn't that disconcerting, but boy does a navigator help with the roundabouts (the signage is quite rational and clear, but unless you have travelled and driven extensively, simply the time necessary to process the iconography, oreint yourself right to left, and avoid motorcycles that only seem to move at the speed of sound is a little overwhelming).

I never figured out if there is a speed limit. I would not advise driving in London, from what I saw. We drove to Ironbridge, Manchester and back over two days, and a day trip to the Cotswolds. If you have the time I would recommend heading north. It's a small island. A decent roadmap details a level deeper than secondary roads, so you never have to get on a highway.

New Mini's are for rent, as are old Mini's. I did look to see if I could rent one, but some had stiffer requirements (there was either a particular type of licence, or simply a UK DL, but i never sorted it out since it was clear I couldn't swing it). I gave up because my needs were geographically specific (and time sensitive), but if you absolutely want to, you may find a source.

 

All I had was my drivers license and my AMEX. When I rented they actually ran a chargle slip for the entire value of the mini van I was renting (there were five of us plus luggage) which totalled 26,000 pounds They basically said, well if you don't come back we just finish processing the slip. Well, needless to say I brought it back. We drove from London all the way up to Edinburgh and then back to London over a 12 day period. Didn't have any problems with the road from major highways to little one lane bridges in the Lake district. I agree with the motorcycle comment, they only go at the speed of sound and have no problems passing while riding the lane devider going up a hill.

Have fun and before you know it you won't even notice that your drivng on the wrong side.

(PS> It helps to have a second set of eyes in the car with you, "Okay, you're going to take a left turn at the next corner, remember to stay in the left lane."

 

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>>Have fun and before you know it you won't even notice that your drivng on the wrong side.
>>
>>(PS> It helps to have a second set of eyes in the car with you, "Okay, you're going to take a left turn at the next corner, remember to stay in the left lane."

Very true !!

oh and Chris, about those rotaries(roundabouts), try and beat it into your head.. LEFT around the roundabout! ... LEFT around the roundabout ... LEFT around the roundabout !!! I never had a problem driving on the left, but the roundabouts still messed me up a little.

 

Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like as long as I'm willing to trust myself to be able to drive properly, it shouldn't be too difficult to rent a car. I just really hope I can get a Mini! When the trip gets closer and I actually figure this out I'll relay the info.

 

>>Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like as long as I'm willing to trust myself to be able to drive properly, it shouldn't be too difficult to rent a car. I just really hope I can get a Mini! When the trip gets closer and I actually figure this out I'll relay the info.

Yes!! Please do.. I am interested in this also.. for future trips! I'm especially interested in renting a MINI in Ireland! I would really love that! Looking forward to hearing about your trip!

 

>>Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like as long as I'm willing to trust myself to be able to drive properly, it shouldn't be too difficult to rent a car. I just really hope I can get a Mini! When the trip gets closer and I actually figure this out I'll relay the info.

Chris, I'd suggest a trip for your and your girlfriend to the USVI to practice your left-driving skills prior to heading for the big leagues in London

 

Just an update... It's looking like we're going to stick to London for the week, so no car rental is likely. There's just too much to do and see in the city. Can't wait for the pubs! I'll go back some other time to cruise around the countryside.

Besides, my girlfriend said she wasn't sure she'd entrust her life to me driving righty around the roundabouts...

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2003 Red/White Cooper - Brookline, MA

 

If you change your mind, here are two sources. The first I used to rent a Rover a few years back and the second I found by entering 'british car rental' in Google .. this one rents MINIs and Lotus Elise among others.

http://www.kemwell.com
https://secure.europcar.co.uk/home/index.php

I had no left side experience but it didn't take long to feel comfortable. We drove the car from Heathrow to Inverness and all over Scotland, 1700+ miles in a week and had no problems. It was a bit scary leaving the airport perimeter to find the Orbital and then M11. But, by the time we got to Scotland, we were pros .. love the round-abouts.

Have a jolly good time!!!

 

Thanks a lot! Hmmm... Maybe just one day.

 

Where abouts are you visiting?? It isn't hard to get a rental car over here. Finding a classic mini may be a bit tricky though. Just thought I should inform you that the weather is $hi+ and so are the drivers.

 

>>Thanks for the info, guys. It sounds like as long as I'm willing to trust myself to be able to drive properly, it shouldn't be too difficult to rent a car. I just really hope I can get a Mini! When the trip gets closer and I actually figure this out I'll relay the info.

remember to look right first then left

 

I'll be in Slough for a couple of days (just west of London) with my girlfriend's friend, in a hotel in Westminster for a few days (free with airfare), and somewhere else cheap and hopefully cockroach-free in the city for a few days.

I don't really NEED to rent a car or drive anywhere; I was just thinking that it would be cool to rent a classic Mini to try out for a few days, just because. From what I've heard of London traffic/streets/drivers, though, I think I might have to pass this time.

Yeah, I'm not expecting much from the weather (40s and rain, probably), but after two weeks of sub-20 degree temps in Boston, it sounds just fine!

I guess I should familiarize myself with Celsius temps, eh?

 

>>>>I never figured out if there is a speed limit.

Have a look at http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk it has all the information you need to know about driving on British roads.

 

There are several car hire agencies in the UK that will - for a hefty fee rent you a MINI . URL for Mini Rental in the UK

At one time, you could even rent (classic) MINIs from John Cooper Works, though their web site no longer mentions this service. Might be worth a phone call or e-mail to find out if they still do. They even offered to meet you at Gatwick airport with your rental - though what MINI owner wouldn't rather pay a visit to the Cooper garage to pick up your car in person.

John Cooper Works

I got a drivers license in the UK a couple years ago. It's amazing that anybody there has a license. The driving exam lasted almost 50 minutes and reportedly has a first-time failure rate of around 90 percent. Getting my pilots license was easier.