Practical visitor information

Driving in Britain: visitor guides

Start with the situation you actually have. These guides separate driving-licence rules, vehicle rules and insurance — because they are not the same thing.

3 guides

Licence & legal basics

Can I drive in Great Britain on my foreign licence?Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Britain?What if my foreign driving licence is not in English?

5 guides

Borrowing a UK car

Can I borrow a relative’s car while visiting Britain?Can I drive my parents’ car while visiting Great Britain?Can I drive a friend’s car for a week in Britain?Can I drive from the airport in a family member’s car?Can I borrow a car while my rental car is unavailable?

2 guides

Journeys & holidays

Can I share the driving on a road trip in Britain?Can I get weekend car insurance as a visitor?

5 guides

Short-term insurance

Can a visitor get temporary car insurance in Britain?Which foreign driving licences can get temporary car insurance?Can I get car insurance for one day while visiting Britain?What details will I need for a temporary insurance quote?Can I use a non-UK address for temporary car insurance?

4 guides

Visitors by licence country

Can an American visitor drive a relative’s car in Britain?Can a Canadian visitor drive a UK car?Can an Australian visitor drive a UK car?Can an EU visitor drive in Britain?

3 guides

Buying & collecting

Can I buy a car in Britain and drive it while visiting?Can I drive a car I have just bought from a private seller?Can I use temporary insurance for a private-sale test drive?

2 guides

Where cover applies

Can I use this temporary insurance in Northern Ireland?Can I drive a temporarily insured car from Britain to Europe?

3 guides

Bringing your own car

Can I bring my own foreign-registered car to Britain?Does my overseas car insurance cover me in Britain?Do I need a green card to drive my own car in Britain?

1 guides

Hire cars

Can I drive a hire car in Britain with a foreign licence?

1 guides

Driving safely

What road rules should overseas visitors know before driving in Britain?

2 guides

Work & business use

Can I use a borrowed car for work while visiting Britain?Can I use temporary insurance for deliveries in Britain?