Renting a Car in the UK
#1
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 17
Renting a Car in the UK
Hey all,
I am going back to the UK next month, for a family visit - and need to rent a car. However, I've noticed that UK rental companies typically require "A full and valid driving licence must have been held for a minimum of 12 months".
It's my understanding that my UK licence is no longer valid (Despite still being in date), and I have only held my USA licence for 8 months. Does this mean I will be ineligible to rent a car in the UK? Despite having had a UK licence for 6 years previously??
Thanks,
Andy
I am going back to the UK next month, for a family visit - and need to rent a car. However, I've noticed that UK rental companies typically require "A full and valid driving licence must have been held for a minimum of 12 months".
It's my understanding that my UK licence is no longer valid (Despite still being in date), and I have only held my USA licence for 8 months. Does this mean I will be ineligible to rent a car in the UK? Despite having had a UK licence for 6 years previously??
Thanks,
Andy
#2
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
You have held a full and valid driving license for 12 months, albeit the 12 months is covered by 2 licenses. If it were me I’d call the rental office in the UK where you will pick the car up and run it past them.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
Why do you believe you cannot use your UK licence to drive in the UK? Is it registered to an address whete you have access to mail?
W
W
#4
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Joined: Apr 2016
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 334
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
UK licenses are legally only valid for those that are resident in the UK. Even if it is still in-date with a valid mailing address, if you don't reside in the UK, it is technically invalidated. Now, this being said - no rental agency would have any way of knowing such.
#5
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Joined: May 2017
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Re: Renting a Car in the UK
I chatted with Europcar, of which they said I would have to rent using my UK licence. According to them "As long as the licence is still in date, it will be valid".
This is similar to what I've read elsewhere- as to be "It's valid until it runs out, then you can't renew legally"
Looking at some of the Ts and C's elsewhere, it does state that if you have had less than 12 months on your current licence, you can supply previous licences to prove you've had a licence for more than 12 months.
I don't actually have access to the address on my licence....
This is similar to what I've read elsewhere- as to be "It's valid until it runs out, then you can't renew legally"
Looking at some of the Ts and C's elsewhere, it does state that if you have had less than 12 months on your current licence, you can supply previous licences to prove you've had a licence for more than 12 months.
I don't actually have access to the address on my licence....
#6
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
You can’t use your UK licence in the UK for the reason you mention. It’s a £1000 fine if you’re stopped. Rent on your US licence but bring your UK licence to show you have 12 months+ driving experience.
#7
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
I rented a car with Avis in the UK when I flew back after 6 months of being in the US. My US drivers license was 5 months old, wasn't an issue.
#8
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Posts: 2,133
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
UK licenses are legally only valid for those that are resident in the UK. Even if it is still in-date with a valid mailing address, if you don't reside in the UK, it is technically invalidated. Now, this being said - no rental agency would have any way of knowing such.
#9
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Joined: Aug 2013
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Posts: 4,128
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
This was my experience as well, and it happened to be Avis as that was the preferred provider for the company I was working for. Good idea to have your UK licence with you as proof you have been eligible to drive for at least 12 months. I wouldn't drive on my UK licence with an invalid address since if something happened you would be subject to a fine plus it may invalidate your insurance. If Europcar are telling you to drive using your UK licence then I would ask for that in writing ahead of time, and if stopped by the police for any reason I would show my current US licence.
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
So playing devil's advocate; when must you stop using your UK licence in the UK?
When do you cease to have residency?
USA POE?
After 6 months in US? 12 months?
I can't seem to find anything written down giving formal guidance on this - it's not to say I don't believe it, just curious on the legals.
W
When do you cease to have residency?
USA POE?
After 6 months in US? 12 months?
I can't seem to find anything written down giving formal guidance on this - it's not to say I don't believe it, just curious on the legals.
W
#11
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Joined: Feb 2015
Location: New Jersey, USA
Posts: 565
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
NJ licenses (and I imagine most other states too) don't show when you passed your test, they just have an issue and expiration date so they wouldn't know from looking at it.
#12
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
So playing devil's advocate; when must you stop using your UK licence in the UK?
When do you cease to have residency?
USA POE?
After 6 months in US? 12 months?
I can't seem to find anything written down giving formal guidance on this - it's not to say I don't believe it, just curious on the legals.
W
When do you cease to have residency?
USA POE?
After 6 months in US? 12 months?
I can't seem to find anything written down giving formal guidance on this - it's not to say I don't believe it, just curious on the legals.
W
#13
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,128
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
My sister was stopped on her way to work early one morning this year, 5mph over a 40mph limit. She received a warning for being a little over the limit and a fine for having the wrong address on her licence. She had moved 6 months earlier and simply not got round to updating it.
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
Again, any references to this?
#15
Re: Renting a Car in the UK
You can use it in the US as long as your state of residence permits you although that’s usually a very short space of time. Google will give you multiple references.