Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent in the UK?
Usually not for a short visit. UK rules let visitors drive a car in Great Britain on a full, valid license from their home country for up to 12 months after they last entered. The UK government's visitor guidance doesn't list an International Driving Permit as a requirement. The operator checks each driver's license before pickup.
The details
- Where this applies: these rules cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland has its own rules.
- What the operator asks for: your driver's license (held for at least 2 years) and passport, plus anything else the operator asks for, at least 72 hours before pickup.
- If you want an IDP anyway: in the US, only AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) are authorized by the State Department to issue IDPs (usa.gov). Beware of other sites selling them. In Canada, CAA issues them.
What we show you before you pay
Before you pay, each car's page and the booking page show the price in your currency, the security deposit, the miles included and the extra-mile rate, the minimum driver age and the cancellation rule for your dates.
Sources
Related: Can a US driver rent a Lamborghini or Ferrari in London? · What's the minimum age to rent a supercar in the UK? · All London luxury cars
Supplied by Prestige Collection, London. Booked, paid and supported through niftirent.