Can I use my UK driving licence?

borosteve_2

Just about to come back to the UK on holiday for a week. I'm looking at renting a car and when I went to rent it asks me for my address. Now I'm a UK citizen with a UK licence (at an address I still own with my OH) BUT I'm a resident (living and working) in the middle east.

Can I use my UK licence to rent?

I have another one from the country I work in but like most people out here I don't have a "legitimate" postal address, just a P.O. Box where all my mail gets delivered (including bank statements etc) so it could cause hassles as I don't have a postcode etc so the UK one would probably make life easier?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I do realise if I use my foreign licence I'm not liable for the points if I speed but I'm quite sensible and not planning to drive like an F1 driver!

dacouch

You should be ok using your UK driving licence and address (A foreign licence sometimes increases the Hire Cost). They may ask you for proof of address eg bank statement etc so ring and check first.

borosteve_2

Thanks for that, and thanks for not just saying "use the foreign one then you can drive through as many cameras as you want without getting points" which was the general concensus I got off a motoring forum before remembering this one!

Much appreciated.

mcjordi

if you are caught speeding via mobile traffic unit then you are arrested an put before a court if you havce no UK license
again with the static gatso type cameras the NIP will go to the registered owner of vehicle (hire company) who will then pass on details of you to police
Hope this helps

dacouch

A lot of people do that, we have had a discussion on this matter on MSE already (There may be others).

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1519457&highlight=polish+licence

Like I said foreign licence holders often pay more for the hire as their Insurers often charge more plus they may be a bit suspicious of hiring a vehicle out to someone who is obviously from the UK but has a foreign licence.

If you need advice on a decent hire company you could try posting on the "Motoring" forum on MSE as there are a lot of people in the trade or with experience on hire in there.

If you have a look on MSE, Hotukdeals or Quidco etc etc you may find some cash backs or discount codes

P.S You will be amazed at how many cameras there are in the UK now days.

bajangal

Yes you can use your UK licence. They will ask you for the paper part as this will prove your address - I have never known them to be interested in the photo id bit.
If you use your UK licence and give a foreign address (ie not printed on your licence) they will refuse the hire and vice-a-versa.

dacouch

mcjordi wrote: »

if you are caught speeding via mobile traffic unit then you are arrested an put before a court if you havce no UK license
again with the static gatso type cameras the NIP will go to the registered owner of vehicle (hire company) who will then pass on details of you to police
Hope this helps

This is not always the case, if the police officer is not satisfied that they can confirm your identity and / or address they have the above as an option to them.

peachyprice

borosteve wrote: »

Thanks for that, and thanks for not just saying "use the foreign one then you can drive through as many cameras as you want without getting points" which was the general concensus I got off a motoring forum before remembering this one!

Much appreciated.

You may not get any points but the hire company will take the fines from the credit card you used when you collected the car, which they will have your permission to do on the form you signed :rolleyes:

Anyway, back to your original question, yes it's fine to use your UK licence, my parent always do when they come back from Australia.

borosteve_2

I'm not intending to speed anyway, just checking which licence is easier to use. On the speeding issue, my understanding with a foreign licence is that you would get the fine + admin fee (roughly £40) but no points if your country of issue doesn't have an agreement with the UK. When I asked the question on another forum people just kept saying "woo hoo no points" but I think Dacouch understood what I meant. Thanks all for your replies.