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Car hire in United Kingdom
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Driving in the United Kingdom on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
No - your Australian licence is enough in United Kingdom.
Your Australian licence is valid in the UK for up to 12 months. No International Driving Permit is needed.
Drives on the leftSame as Australia
Minimum age 21For most hire companies
$55-$110Typical daily hire
No IDP neededAustralian licence accepted
Is hiring a car in United Kingdom worth it?
Automatic transmissions are less common and cost significantly more - book early.
Typical daily hire runs $55-$110.
Where to hire a car in United Kingdom
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in United Kingdom
- Roundabouts are everywhere and traffic moves fast - same direction as Australia, just more of them.
- London's ULEZ and Congestion Charge apply to hire cars and are billed to you afterwards. Most visitors are better off without a car in London.
- Motorway service stations are expensive; fill up in towns.
- Speed cameras are heavily used and fines are forwarded to hire companies.
Your licence is enough, but the vehicle class still matters. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle. Check your policy covers the vehicle you actually intend to hire.
More United Kingdom essentials
United Kingdom visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to United Kingdom
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
United Kingdom eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
United Kingdom travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
United Kingdom money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
United Kingdom airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
United Kingdom travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in United Kingdom
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
United Kingdom driving FAQs
Can I drive in the UK on my Australian licence?
Yes, for up to 12 months. No International Driving Permit is required, and the UK drives on the left like Australia.
Planning United Kingdom?
We will send you the United Kingdom guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.