Skip to content

Car Hire in the UK: Find Rental Locations Near You

Car Hire in the UK: Find Rental Locations Near You

A live map of car hire locations across the UK, plus a practical guide to what you need to hire, how the insurance excess works, and the details that trip up visitors — including manual vs automatic.

Quick answer. To hire a car in the UK you'll need a valid driving licence and usually a credit card in the main driver's name. Most hire cars are manual, so request an automatic early if you need one. Hire includes basic cover with an excess you'd pay on damage — you can reduce it with the company's waiver or a separate excess policy. Use the live map below to find hire locations near you.

Find car hire near you

The map below pulls live hire locations from OpenStreetMap. Pick a city, type a place or postcode, or drag the map and tap “Search this area”. You can also switch the filter to dealers, repair, EV charging or other services nearby.

Showing featured listings worldwide — search a place or tap “Near me” for live results anywhere.

What you need to hire

You'll need a full driving licence held for a minimum period (often a year), and most companies set a minimum age of 21–25 with a young-driver surcharge for the under-25s. Visitors driving on a non-UK licence may be asked for additional identification. A credit card in the main driver's name is normally required for the security deposit; debit cards are accepted only by some firms and with conditions. UK licence holders are typically asked to share a licence “check code” so the company can view endorsements online.

Understanding the excess and insurance

UK hire includes basic insurance, but with an excess — the amount you'd be liable for if the car is damaged or stolen. You can reduce that excess by buying the hire company's collision damage waiver / excess reduction at the counter, or more cheaply with a standalone excess reimbursement policy bought in advance. Check whether tyres, windscreen and undercarriage are covered, as these are common exclusions.

Things that catch people out

  • Manual by default. Automatics are fewer and pricier — book ahead.
  • Fuel policy. “Full-to-full” is usually fairest; avoid pre-purchase fuel deals if you won't use a full tank.
  • Airport location fees and one-way drop-off charges.
  • Young-driver and additional-driver surcharges.

Helpful guides

Hiring while you decide what to buy? See our buying guides, electric vs hybrid if you're trying an EV, and the full directory for everything else nearby.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to hire a car in the UK?
A full driving licence held for a minimum period (often a year) and usually a credit card in the main driver's name for the deposit. UK licence holders are typically asked for a licence check code; visitors may need extra ID.
Are UK hire cars manual or automatic?
Most hire cars in the UK are manual. Automatics are available but fewer and usually more expensive, so if you need one it's best to book it well in advance.
How does the insurance excess work?
Hire includes basic cover with an excess — the sum you'd pay if the car is damaged or stolen. You can reduce it via the company's waiver at the counter, or more cheaply with a standalone excess-reimbursement policy bought beforehand. Check for exclusions like tyres and windscreen.
Which fuel policy is best?
“Full-to-full” — collect the car full and return it full — is usually the fairest and cheapest. Pre-purchase or “full-to-empty” policies can cost more if you don't use the whole tank.
CarsMultiverse app

Get the CarsMultiverse app

Free car-cost tools, guides & dealers near you — straight from your home screen. No app store needed.

Follow the data

FOLLOW CARSMULTIVERSEInstagram·Pinterest