Driving in London
London is a rewarding city to drive in, but it has rules that catch out visitors and occasional drivers. These guides explain the main ones, so your hire is about the drive rather than the paperwork that follows it.
The guides
- The ULEZ: the Ultra Low Emission Zone, which covers all London boroughs and runs every day.
- The Congestion Charge: the daily charge for driving in central London at set times.
- Airports: driving to and from London's airports in a hire car.
- Parking: reading the signs, paying, and avoiding a penalty.
Before you set off
- Check your route. Will you drive into central London? If so, the Congestion Charge may apply.
- Check the times. The Congestion Charge applies at set times; the ULEZ runs every day except Christmas Day.
- Pay on time. Road charges are paid to Transport for London, not to us. Paying on the day avoids a penalty.
- Plan your parking at your destination before you arrive.
Penalty notices during your hire
Penalty notices for parking, unpaid road charges and traffic offences are sent to the car's registered keeper, which is us. They're passed on to the driver, as set out in your hire agreement. The simplest way to avoid one is to pay road charges on the day and park only where the signs allow.
Always check the source
Charges, times and zones change. Transport for London publishes the current rules, and it's the place to pay. Our guides explain how things work; always check the latest details with Transport for London before you drive.
Need help planning?
Call your customer experience manager or our support line, open from 8am to 8pm. If you'd rather not drive into central London at all, see our area guides for where to collect and where to park.