United Kingdom summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
English
Pound sterling
61,612,300
GMT
44
Left
Yes
Local weather
London
-
Sat-1° | 3° -
Sun0° | 1° -
Mon0° | 2° - Tue-5° | 1°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 113kmh (70mph)
- Open roads:
- Single carriageways - 97kmh (60mph); Dual carriageways – 113kmh (70mph)
- Towns:
- 48kmh (30mph) unless signed. There are some urban areas and around schools where there is a speed limit of 32kmh (20mph)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving
- It is legal to use a hands free set
-
Seat belts:
- All drivers and passengers in private cars must wear seat belts
- Children under three are not allowed in the front of the vehicle unless appropriate child restraint is fitted
- All children between 3-12 years and under 1.5 metres must use appropriate restraint or seat belt in front or rear seat
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red - stop
- Red and Amber together - get ready, but don't go
- Green - go if the way is clear
- Amber - stop unless you have crossed the line or it would be dangerous to stop
- A Green Arrow - you may proceed in that direction regardless of other lights
- Flashing red lights (e.g. level crossings, fire stations) - you must stop
Costs
- Road tolls:
- Tolls are charged on some motorways
- On the spot fines:
- Police and Traffic Wardens (local officials) can issue a ticket which leads to a Penalty Charge Notice which can be paid by post or sometimes in person at the appropriate office or by telephone
- Business drivers using a vehicle for work and carrying a passenger must not smoke in cars as part of the new smoking ban in public places laws being enforced in the UK during 2007 – National Car Rental has applied a fleet-wide ban on smoking in all its vehicles to helpits customers adhere to this law
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- 0630 – 0900hrs Monday to Friday
- 1630 – 1900hrs Monday to Friday
- Fuel:
- Fuel stations generally tend to open 0700 - 2200hrs
- Fuel stations along motorways tend to be open 24hrs
- Major credit cards are accepted in the vast majority of the fuel stations across the UK
- Lead Replacement unleaded petrol and diesel are available
- LPG is also available but less widely so
- It is permitted to carry petrol in a can
- Parking advice:
- Parking in and around city and town centres is mostly controlled by parking meters or pay and display car parks
- Motorists must purchase a ticket and display in the car before leaving the vehicle
- There is also a range of park and ride facilities in some large city centres helping to keep congestion and traffic to a minimum