Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
Jul 24th 2008, 8:22 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 101
Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
We are going to be renting a car in the UK and wondered if I can just use my US driver's license or if we need to get something else?
I'm sure there are other threads on this but I couldn't find anything.
Thanks
I'm sure there are other threads on this but I couldn't find anything.
Thanks
Jul 24th 2008, 8:26 pm
#2
Boomshacalaca!!
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: South of the North Pole.......Colorado
Posts: 5,066
Re: Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
Should be fine... never had an issue in the past... mind you its been a couple of years. Contact customer service of the company in question and see what their policy is etc.. may be too that noone under 25 can rent or something silly like that.
Jul 24th 2008, 8:51 pm
#3
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Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
Have never had a problem, but note that some UK rental car companies place a $1000 hold on your credit card against potential damage. If the first thing you do when you get off the plane is rent a car, your US credit card company might say 'a few hours ago they were in the US and now there is a $1,000 charge in the UK--FRAUD ALERT'
I would recommend calling your credit card company and telling them you are heading over and to expect such and such charges (something I do for every trip to avoid declines).
I would recommend calling your credit card company and telling them you are heading over and to expect such and such charges (something I do for every trip to avoid declines).
Jul 24th 2008, 8:57 pm
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 16,266
Re: Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
My California DL has just been fine for rentals in foreign countries including Israel, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic & the UK.
However, you might want to check out your insurance policy to see if it is effective in the UK. Also, check your credit cards to see if they include coverage [one of our VISA cards included it for all of Europe -- Israel is a common exception].
Jul 25th 2008, 12:52 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,190
Re: Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
The DL won't be a problem they are used to it.
It will be worth whileto take a few minutes to check the car over for damage before you leave the lot, some of the UK companies can be anal over checking for the tiniest scratch or dent.
It will be worth whileto take a few minutes to check the car over for damage before you leave the lot, some of the UK companies can be anal over checking for the tiniest scratch or dent.
Jul 25th 2008, 1:01 pm
#6
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,021
Re: Going to UK - driver's license for rental?
Have never had a problem, but note that some UK rental car companies place a $1000 hold on your credit card against potential damage. If the first thing you do when you get off the plane is rent a car, your US credit card company might say 'a few hours ago they were in the US and now there is a $1,000 charge in the UK--FRAUD ALERT'
I would recommend calling your credit card company and telling them you are heading over and to expect such and such charges (something I do for every trip to avoid declines).
I would recommend calling your credit card company and telling them you are heading over and to expect such and such charges (something I do for every trip to avoid declines).
A few months ago my daughter made a purchase at our local mall using her debit card...within minutes someone tried to withdraw $500 from an ATM in Toronto where she lives. Fortunately the second transaction was flagged and stopped...lucky for her because the bank wouldn't have covered the $500 loss.
