Car hire in UK (NB)

[Lakesailor]

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duh?
white sign, black border and black stripe that (usually) precedents entering the road, would indicate limit of 70,

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White sign, black border indicates the national speed limit applies which would be 60mph except on dual carriageways and motorways. So if our Canadian friend took note of what you said he would pass speed cameras at 10mph over the limit on single carriageway roads.
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no sign apparent - the road would dictate itself that you couldnt do more than forty without flippin, or running off into the bushes/trees.

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If there is no indication of a lower speed limit, the national limit applies. Our Canadian friend can presumably judge a safe speed to negotiate the road.
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Why would you feel the need to take such offense to someone being helpful to a vistor.....interesting.......hmmm.
you may be anally correct, I was giving it as it is

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not taking offence. I'm being pedantic. You are trying to be helpful, but giving incorrect information is not telling it "how it is" but leading him into a position in which he may become liable to prosecution, which I'm sure was not your intention.
So, to throw the question back to you, Why do you feel that you need to question my intentions when a little reflection will show that I'm trying to make sure a visitor to the UK doesn't go home with a sour taste and light of a few dollars.

 

[Heckler]

no wonder they are flaming you and people get speed tickets, the limit is 60 mph on single lane roads.
stu

 

[alanporter]

Thank you very much for all your helpful answers. It shows the value of belonging to these forums when one gets help from strangers just as if they were friends.
I'm a bit concerned about the cost of things over there, but I expect wages and salaries in Britain must be higher than ours in Canada. Another thing is the speed limits you talk about. Where I live on Vancouver Island the average limit on highways is 50 mph with occasional places where we can do 55mph, and even more rare areas where we can do a breathtaking 60mph (please don't laugh) ! One more problem was the mention of manual gear boxes, I haven't driven one of those for over twenty years. Oh dear, when British drivers see me jerking along the highway at 50 mph I guess they are going to be pretty mad at me. Ah well, I'm going to have fun anyway.
Many thanks to all of you.

 

[snowleopard]

The one thing I would warn you about is the proliferation of speed limits on country roads. They are typically 40 and 50 mph and change frequently and seemingly randomly with a change to a lower limit often followed by a speed camera. It can be quite hard to keep track when the limit changes 20 times in 20 miles!

A good half of all drivers do 5-15 mph above the limit but boy you should see them slow down when there's a camera about!

The pound and euro are currently riding high against the US dollar (don't know about your dollar but I imagine its fortunes follow the other one fairly closely. You're bound to find things expensive here but so do we! (and no, our pay rates aren't higher to compensate).

Enjoy your visit despite all that.

 

[landaftaf]

best thing you can do is fix a big maple leaf or canada flag everywhere so ppl dont think you are a yank

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[poter]

Alan after all the helpfull road traffic advice, which I am sure you will be able to sort out!

Where do you intend to go? I assume you are coming into Heathrow or Gatwick?
Again I am sure you will get plenty of advice on places to visit but please do not miss out the West Country (Devon Cornwall Somerset & Dorset) the beautifull bays & fishing villages are just breathtaking. The prices for bed & Breakfast are reasonable & the hospitality is usually very welcoming, with great English Breakfast's.
if you need any help, maps etc. please just ask, I, & I am sure other west country dwellers, will only be too happy to give advice /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

have a good one.


poter

 

[BrendanS]

a completely different planet to the one you are on, obviously. Are there still people driving in the UK who don't actually know what the speed limits are

Let me summarise, though there are exceptions
Normal road unless otherwise indicated, 60mph
Dual carriage way unless otherwise indicated, 70mph
Motorway, unless otherwise stated, 70mph

The otherwise indicated doesn't need to be by a speed sign, it could be lamp post spacing

 

[Thrall]

Thank you, Brendan. At last I learn the the "normal" limit is 60MPH. I've often asked when driving in UK but been told "seems like 60", or "should be 50"; now I know.

Daði

 

[Guest]

This guy sources cars from the large rent companys - but rates are the cheapest I have ever found and on a long term rent - he is truly excellent.

Go to their web site :-

http://www.wwideres.com


and book on line, or e-mail your quote request to :-

sales@wwideres.co.uk

Company is : Worldwide Reservations .....

Well worth the e-mail .....

I am not connected to them in anyway - just a very satisfied customer.

 

[AJW]

Alan,

Good advice on hire cars here & other stuff relating to the roads. If not already mentioned you could try www.holidayautos.co.uk who are a consolidator and can often give a good deal. (You actually end up renting from one of the big hire car companies most times but with a prepaid voucher.)

A few words on coming to the UK from Canada from someone who moved from the UK to Canada albeit the other coast from you! Multiplying every price you see by 2.25 (for todays approx exchange rate) brings home how expensive the UK can be. Somethings are cheaper e.g. wine & food in Supermarkets. Others are horribly expensive - the biggest shocker is hotel accomodation. For example GBP80-100 for a mediocre hotel room is the norm. In this part of Canada at least $225 gets you a very good standard! Wages are higher in UK but cost of living is also higher. I am better off in Canada even though I took a x% paycut if you compare like to like. Mind you I live in the cheap end of Canada compared to BC so I'm told!

An eating out tip is to go to pubs rather than chain restaurants or fast food. Often a pub will offer informal and relatively inexpensive dining. Like all thing though there are the good and the bad.

Also in the UK prices for stuff shown include all taxes. Not like here where GST/HST is not included. (Something that still catches me out after 7 months here!)

Driving will be very different. Much busier than you are used too and of course the wrong side of the road. If the car hire co has a satnav option for hire it might be worth taking it. Can take some of the hassle out of navigating to leave you to concentrate on figuring out driving on the left. In the UK we have roundabouts - basically give way to traffic coming from the right and proceed when clear. Oh yes, and you cant turn right (or left) on a red light like you can in Canada.

Main thing though is to sample warm english beer. Actually its not warm but if you get the right pint it can be nectar of the gods. Just about the only thing I miss!

HTH,
Alan