We strongly advice foreign drivers not to break speed limits as it may cause you much trouble if caught by the police. You may be charged generous fines to be paid on the spot. If you are unable to pay, your car may be confiscated.

You need not obtain an International Driving Permit for driving in the UK. Your foreign license may suffice. However, the DVLA (driving vehicles licensing agency) may not accept licences from certain countries. Hence, it is advisable to ring up the DVLA on this number (+ 44 (0) 1792 783071) and make sure your licence is valid for driving as a tourist. Attention, if you are coming to reside permanently in the UK, please be aware that your International Driving Permit is valid only for 1 year. However, you are allowed to take a full UK license after 6 months of residence.

Drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs is absolutely prohibited in the UK. Don't drink and drive. It is a very serious criminal offence in the UK and one may get imprisoned for up to 1 year and fined up to£10,000 for drinking and driving. Remember, just being in an accident is not the reason the police will breath analyse the driver. They can breath analyse you just for standing besides your car and holding your keys with you. Make sure you are fit to drive after having drinks the previous night. Alcohol takes time to get out of the human body and many times a driver may not be legally fit to drive a car.

Driving at any time requires that the driver of the car should be protected by at least 3rd party insurance. If you fail to provide proof of proper insurance, you may be prosecuted and put in prison for up to 6 months and charged up to£5,000. The police also have the power to confiscate any car that is being driven around without any insurance.

When in the UK, make sure you are using a car with a alarm and immobilliser fitted to it. Car theft is at a 0very high level in cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester & Edinburgh. Do not leave valuables or important documents like passports in the car. Do not leave your car keys in the car even. Do not break traffic laws at anytime. Most roads in the UK are protected by CCTV and new legislation now allows councils to prosecute drivers with evidence obtained by these cameras.

Pay very close attention when you park your car. Never park on a double yellow or a double red line. Single yellow and red lines may have time regulations allowing you to park during certain times. If you are not sure, do not park. Rather park your car in a secured car parking. You will surely land up paying roughly £5-£6 per hour, but it will be better off than the pain of a parking ticket and your car being clamped or being towed away. Although disabled badge holder's are allowed 1 hour excess of their parking ticket expiring, parking attendants ocassionaly may make a mistake (deliberate) of not seeing the badge properly.

If you are travelling to UK by car and are planning to drive in an illegal immigrant by putting him/her in the boot, don't do it. The immigration officers will check your vehicle's boot thoroughly. Be it an expensive car like a BMW or Mercedes.

If you are travelling around London, make sure you know the motorway M25 thoroughly or carry a map with you. It is a motorway that runs around the complete circumference of London and makes time consuming journeys short by allowing you to travel at faster speeds.

If you feel some information is missing or wish to appreciate the information provided here, please write to us at webmaster@uk-tourist-info.com

For more upto date and precise information, please visit the DVLA's webstie by following this link: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/