Travelling to or moving to the UK on work related business? Hiring a car for 28 day periods for the length of your stay is a great alternative to purchasing a vehicle. Long Term Car Hire companies offer fantastic vehicles that are either brand new or at least no older than 3 years, assisting you with keeping up all those important appearances when visiting clients, potential customers etc. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Driving in the UK on a Foreign licence (Outside the EU), including an international drivers card is only permitted for a maximum of 1 year. At this point you must approach the DVLA (UK Driver Vehicle Licencing Agency) for a provisional licence, you must then take a UK driving test. As great as this may sound, it has its complications. For example, by obtaining a UK driving licence, your driving experience is set to zero years from the date it is obtained. A UK driving licence invalidates the use of a Foreign licence in the UK. The issue here then is that Hire / Rental companies insurers will not accept you for, in most cases, at least 2 years. Even if you obtain your own insurance to cover the vehicle, the policy will be at an extortionate in price.
There is a grey area that can be manipulated and should only be considered after discussing with the relevant agencies. Should your term in the UK be for less than 12 months then you do not have to obtain a UK Licence. If your stay in the UK is to be for 24 months then you may wish to return to your home country of residence for a short period. As long as you can prove (passport) that you have been home for a period of time then your Foreign licence validity in the UK starts again.
Example
Arrive in UK - March 2011 12 months validity
Return Home - February 2012
Arrive back in the UK - March 2012 12 Months validity
This information is what I have learnt, however, I may be wrong or at least not at liberty to divulge such information. Therefore, I accept no liability for prosecution, loss of monies and so forth as a result of the information I have provided being used by your self. Please refer to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm for information.
Driving in the UK on a Foreign licence (Outside the EU), including an international drivers card is only permitted for a maximum of 1 year. At this point you must approach the DVLA (UK Driver Vehicle Licencing Agency) for a provisional licence, you must then take a UK driving test. As great as this may sound, it has its complications. For example, by obtaining a UK driving licence, your driving experience is set to zero years from the date it is obtained. A UK driving licence invalidates the use of a Foreign licence in the UK. The issue here then is that Hire / Rental companies insurers will not accept you for, in most cases, at least 2 years. Even if you obtain your own insurance to cover the vehicle, the policy will be at an extortionate in price.
There is a grey area that can be manipulated and should only be considered after discussing with the relevant agencies. Should your term in the UK be for less than 12 months then you do not have to obtain a UK Licence. If your stay in the UK is to be for 24 months then you may wish to return to your home country of residence for a short period. As long as you can prove (passport) that you have been home for a period of time then your Foreign licence validity in the UK starts again.
Example
Arrive in UK - March 2011 12 months validity
Return Home - February 2012
Arrive back in the UK - March 2012 12 Months validity
This information is what I have learnt, however, I may be wrong or at least not at liberty to divulge such information. Therefore, I accept no liability for prosecution, loss of monies and so forth as a result of the information I have provided being used by your self. Please refer to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.htm for information.
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