So, you’re an international student studying in the UK and looking for exciting ways to spend the coming weekend or holidays with friends. With tons of spectacular leisure options available, why not hire a car and go on a mind-blowing road trip?
Indeed, local laws allow student car hire for under 21 in the UK, meaning most young adventurers will be able to hit the road. Plus, you can easily find the cheapest car hire in the UK for the younger generation at Rental24.co.uk. A set of wheels on hand guarantees you a vibrant travel experience free from public transport schedules and cramped bus interiors.
However, before you start exploring the magic of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, there are many things you need to decide and plan for. What are the international car hire UK requirements for students? What type of insurance do you need to carry and what about driver’s licence requirements? And finally, what steps should you follow for a trouble-free and cost-effective trip? Keep reading to understand all the nuances of a safe under 21 car hire.
Major Policies and Requirements to Comply With
The secret to a hassle-free car hire experience is simple – you adhere to certain terms and conditions, while the company provides you with a reliable car for the entire duration of the trip. Each provider has a unique set of requirements and recommendations, but the average policy for young drivers consists of the following aspects:
Minimum Age
Even though UK laws allow cruising on public roads from the age of 17, the minimum age to hire a car in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland is limited differently. Namely, you must be a minimum of 23 or older as stated by most suppliers, while several agencies set a greater driver’s age limit of 25 years old. On the other hand, you will also catch more loyal providers that confidently cater even to 21-year-olds.
However, the age limit may be more restrictive for higher-end vehicles, such as premium Buick Lacrosse, luxury Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and exotic models, passenger vans, and full-size SUVs, which become available from 23 to 30 years of age, depending on the specific company’s policy.
Driver’s Licence
Regardless of nationality, your top-priority task is to provide your domestic driver’s licence issued in your name. Keep in mind that you can safely drive a car hire in the UK with an international driving licence for not longer than 12 months after your last entry into the country. However, this rule doesn’t extend to EU-issued licences – you can drive with them for as long as they are valid. Depending on the country your licence was issued in, the following requirements apply:
- UK licence holders must provide the DVLA check code or printed endorsement record to prove that the licence is clear, that is, without major endorsements.
- EU licences can be presented without additional paperwork.
- If the licence is printed in a non-Latin alphabet, you must provide an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) or an equivalent official translation.
Insurance
When you hire a car in the UK, the company provides CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) and SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), which are mandatory. CDW allows you to waive liability if your rental car is damaged, while SLI covers you against third-party claims. These basic protection plans have a certain excess limit and come with your car by default, but optional coverage programs are also available for an additional charge. Alternatively, you can use international car hire insurance and refuse the one offered by the company.
Payment Methods
As a renter, you must have a credit card in your name, which is a prerequisite for picking up a car. In addition, its balance must be sufficient to cover the full reservation cost plus equipment and deposit. The deposit amount ranges from £200 to £3,000 depending on the chosen vehicle category. This sum won’t be available for the whole duration of the trip and will be returned within a couple of days after the vehicle is dropped off. What’s more, selected companies may also accept debit cards, so you should check this option in advance if you intend to benefit from this payment method.
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Young Driver Surcharge
When hiring a car as a student or underage person, the company will charge you an extra fee called a young driver surcharge. This fee serves as compensation for the additional risk the provider incurs when a young driver handles the car and can range from £30 to £79 per day, depending on the specific agency. Due to the significant amount of this fee, you may ask whether it’s possible to collect a car hire without a young driver surcharge. The answer is yes – you can avoid it in the following ways:
- Companies’ membership benefits
- Corporate agreements
- Long-term car hire bonuses
- Special offers
- Compensation through insurance
Companies Offering Car Hire for Young Drivers in the UK
You can use the service of about 30 companies which include international providers such as Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, and local firms. If you don’t know which one to choose, compare them by price, terms and conditions, minimum rental age, and other important parameters.
For example, Sixt, Hertz, and GreenMotion have the lowest minimum age limit, and even allow 21-year-olds. Enterprise, National, and Alamo set the minimum age of 25. At the same time, other agencies provide cars for 22-23-year-old and older drivers.
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Steps for Hiring a Car as a Student
Actually, the car booking process is the same regardless of the driver’s age. The difference lies in where you reserve – the specific company’s official website or an aggregator website, such as Rental24.co.uk, which collects offers from all providers in one place. In general, the procedure takes several stages:
- Fill out the search form. At this stage, you enter the desired location(s) and dates/hours to pick up/return your car. Next, you activate the search engine by clicking on the corresponding button and wait for the search results to appear. Some search engines offer to enter your age to show deals that match this criterion.
- Choose the desired car. After inspecting the deals, choose a car that suits your budget and travel purposes, and check if any car hire student discount is available. If necessary, add extra options to it such as GPS navigator, child seat, prepaid fuel, etc.
- Complete your booking. Once you have selected your vehicle and accessories, proceed to the next page to enter your personal and payment details. Decide between Pay Now and Pay Later options, thereby completing your reservation, and finally, print the voucher sent to your email.
- Collect your car. Appear at the pre-agreed destination on the date and time specified in the voucher and keep your way to the location of the selected company to sign the agreement. Don’t forget to bring all the necessary documents with you, including a credit card that serves as a payment method. The employee will then give you the car keys and guide you directly to your vehicle.
Final Word
Driving a student car hire in the UK is your best chance to explore the many attractions this island nation has to offer. In England, you may cruise through the historic streets of London or enjoy a leisurely drive in Leeds or Manchester. Not to mention the Cotswolds and Cornwall, which are worth your attention as well. Wales introduces you to the dramatic rocky coastline and rugged landscapes of national parks. At the same time, Scotland and Northern Ireland offer you picture-perfect natural panoramas with lakes, plains, and highlands. So, having a set of wheels on hand gives you easy access to all the exciting places in the UK, and you shouldn’t miss out on this opportunity during your holiday!
Featured image from freepik.com
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