Warrington Wolf

I've just returned from good old blighty and I had a quandary whilst I was there. I rented a car with my DE license, but I also have a DVLA issued one with my old address in the UK. Obviously, I don't live at that address any more.

The question that I have is what would happen if I was to be pulled for speeding or other illegal car related offenses whilst I was there? Would the police really believe my DE license or would they try to trace a UK license (particulary because I still have northern accent)? Do they fine on the spot or would it be too much trouble for them?

Any experiences by you lot?

Jerseygirl

Isn't there a legal requirement to change your address on your license within a certain amount of days? I'm not sure whether the police run your license through the computer like the US cops do.

Car hire rates are cheaper using a UK license and I have a new one using my in-laws address. My quandry was what would happen if I was involved in an accident? When the insurance company starts to dig around would they refuse coverage because I hadn't been truthfull ie I don't live at the address on the license? So in the end I used my US license.

At least using a US license you won't get 'points' if you commit a traffic offence.

Englishmum

It's probably worth paying parking fines if you find one on your windscreen....if you're using a credit card to pay for your car rental I think that virtually all of the rental companies reserve the right to charge your card for parking fines and also charge you about 30-50 pounds on top for 'admin' and probably same for the London road pricing.

My husband (Bristolian) had a rental car and a couple of years ago was stopped in Oxfordshire for speeding very late at night on the M40 where there was no other traffic.

He showed his NJ licence and the cop let him off (but warned him that he could have detained him in a cell for the night as he was doing 104mph.... )

AFAIK I don't think the cops can do anything if you're not using a UK licence and they can't put points on your licence. How would they even know that you had taken a UK driving test anyway? A UK licence is only valid if you're resident in the UK.

Warrington Wolf

Great! I can quote this to me 'know-all' father-in-law who said that I would have all my worldly possessions impounded and be locked-up for all eternity (or something similar) if I did anything illegal.

Scouse Express

The Cops can detain you, in the UK whilst they check out your licence and your insurance coverage etc. Over here in the USA, in some Counties/States, if you do not have the ability to immediately pay a speeding ticket you can also be detained by the Cops. Wisconsin is a good one for this.

Jim.

Jerseygirl

A British colleague of my husband's was pulled over for speeding on her way to Newark airport. She asked the cop if he could hurry up because she was running late for her plane. That comment went down like a lead balloon...she was told if she made another comment like that she'd be detained.

Giantaxe

I'm very sceptical about that; I have never been asked what license I'm using when making a booking and typically rates with the majors tend actually to be cheaper when booked from the US.

Jerseygirl

If you use the internet and get 2 quotes one which each license...I've always found the UK one to be cheaper.

lapin_windstar

You can't use holidayautos.co.uk (which are always cheapest IMO) from the US, but you can from the UK.

I have had different rates depending on whether I use e.g. hertz.com and hertz.co.uk but I've never noticed it with licences (not that i've specifically checked).

Pony

They won't accept a US address though. So I'm not sure how that works once you leave the UK.

I was once stopped for speeding in Colorado (I was just passing through and had a Texas license at the time). I gave my UK license which would have worked if I had the correct change on me. The cop fined me $70 and followed me to a gas station to break a $20 I had. On route his brain must have started to warm up and he figured I couldn't buy a TX car without a TX drivers license. He ran my name (maybe even having to get dispatch to call TX DMV?) and found out I had a TX license
When I stopped at the gas station to get the correct change he said "do you have a TX drivers license?"; oh shit I thought. So I calmly said "yes officer". He asked why I didn't show it to him and I said it was at home in Texas (I said had forgotten it). I had complied with the law and shown a valid (UK) drivers license. The SOB but my TX license number on the ticket though

Bob

In the UK, you've got 7 days I think to show proof of license and insurance...in the US, it's an offence not being able to show them to a cop when asked, don't know if that's a state thing or in general, but it is in maine and around here.

Giantaxe

What sites ask for a license when you're getting a quote? I've never come across this.

Jerseygirl

I looked at the large rental companies on line...it was either what licence you had or where you were resident. I got 2 entirely different quotes putting in UK and US.

TRPardoe

Car Hire rates through 1car1, who I use, are no different if you use a UK or a US license.

Giantaxe

Well, I just went to the websites of all the majors, and whilst some asked me country of residence, none asked me what license I would be using.