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England [for
The Republic of Ireland go to
Driving
in Ireland
Key rules, regulations and things to know
Driving: Drive on the LEFT overtake on the right
This rule applies to Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands as well. In October 2011 it was announced that the UK Government is considering increasing the Motorway limit to 80 mph ( 130 km/h) which is more in line with other European countries.
There will be lots of ways to pay: •with a pre-pay account •online •by text •at retail outlets •over the phone •by post. According to the website here Non-UK (foreign registerded vehicle) drivers will be able to use the same payment channels. The automatic number plate recognition system will recognise non-UK vehicles and if there is any doubt number plates can be reviewed manually. They will not be exempt and they are serious about tackling evasion and will use effective penalty and recovery processes. This includes a European debt recovery agency to support the recovery of outstanding charges.
This type of vehicle will be used also on motorway bridges and there are no warnings with these like the fixed cameras. Many traffic Police cars are unmarked, although the officers inside wear uniform. Fines will follow the driver home either via the car hire company or if it is a foreign registration via inter European co-operation with Police enforecement agencies.
Drugs and driving in England and Wales: the law - March 2015 - More information Here
If the snow falls from the roof of your car onto either your windscreen or on to another vehicle it can result in a £60 fine and 3 points on your license, increasing to £100 and 6 points if an accident occurs because of this. Finally, please ensure that you’re equipped to manage any delay or breakdown by loading plenty of warm weather clothing into the car in case of emergencies. Better still, try and avoid driving in these conditions altogether. Smoking in cars: From 1st October 2015 drivers in England and Wales will be banned from smoking in cars carrying children under the age of 18. The law aims to protect young people under 18 from second-hand smoke. Similar bans are already in place in the United States, Canada and Australia.
The AA and RAC are the two major motoring organisations in the UK. The RAC was founded in 1897 and The AA founded in 1905. To visit either site use a search engine as we have been asked to remove the direct link.
It's illegal to drive if either:
Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If you're taking them and not sure if you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. If the police stop you and think you're on drugs they can do a 'field impairment assessment'. This is a series of tests, like asking you to walk in a straight line. If they think you're unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you'll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you've taken drugs. Prescription medicines from March 2015 From March 2015 it will be illegal in England and Wales to drive with certain illegal drugs in the blood, even if you're not unfit to drive. It will also be illegal to drive with certain levels of certain legal drugs if you're unfit to drive. Talk to your doctor about whether you should drive if you've been prescribed any of the following drugs: clonazepam - diazepam - flunitrazepam - lorazepam - methadone - morphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs - oxazepam - temazepam You can drive after taking these drugs if:
You could be prosecuted if you drive with certain levels of these drugs in your body and you haven't been prescribed them. The law doesn't cover Northern Ireland and Scotland but you could still be arrested if you're unfit to drive. Penalties for drug driving If you're convicted of drug driving you'll get:
Your driving licence will also show you've been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years. The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years. Other problems you could face A conviction for drug driving also means:
Source LSL Property Services - March 2015
London and Stratford Upon Avon - Shakespeare's birthplace are the most popular tourist spots. However, there are many other parts of the United Kingdom well worth visiting. Historical cities such as York, Chester, Bath, Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow and Edinburgh. For lovers of the countryside you have a lot of choice from the West Country, Lake District and Brecon Beacons to the beautiful Pembrokeshrie coastline. If you can avoid the busy summer period your visit may be cheaper and there will be less tourists. However, in the winter it often gets dark by about 4pm and many places of interest such as large houses and castles are closed over winter. As British weather can change very quickly, bring enough clothes for warm, cold and wet weather. Don’t be in such a rush to hop on a plane. Skip passport control, jump in a hire car and explore the country with cheap car hire UK instead. There’s so much to see and do you’ll soon forget about the grey skies and drizzle. The good thing about UK car hire is there's no need to learn to drive on the other side of the road and you won't come unstuck with any tricky road signs. Cheap car hire is available all over the UK, so wherever you're off to you'll be able to pick up a good car rental. Book car hire in UK today - we've great rates all year round.
Book
car hire in the UK -
here
Views of London
England: is the largest country in the island of Great Britain, It is triangular in shape. The old Latin name was Anglia It occupies the entire island east of Wales and south of Scotland. The eastern side is bounded by the North Sea. The northern boundary with Scotland extends from the Solway Firth in the west along the Cheviot Hills to the mouth of the Tweed on the east. The bottom part of the triangle fronts the English Channel and the Strait of Dover along the southwestern and southern coast of England and the Isle of Wight . The north and west are generally mountainous with the principal highland region being the Pennines. The country has many beautiful areas, The Lake District, Sussex, the Home Counties. , East Anglia, Devon & Cornwall to name but a few. The climate varies on average from 4 degrees C to 18 degrees C. England covers 130,410 sq km (50,352 sq mi), equivalent to 57 per cent of the area of Great Britain
England has the highest level of population of the three countries. There are holiday areas throughout the country and a wealth of history to discover. Communications are good with an excellent motorway network (that is Free and only has a few tolls — river crossings, section near Birmingham etc) although in the peak holiday periods in summer some of these become very congested. Connections to mainland Europe are excellent with the Channel Tunnel (direct passenger trains from London to Paris or Brussels) and Dover being the busiest cross channel car ferry port in Britain. South of Portsmouth is the Isle of Wight and the Scilly Isles are located off the coast of Cornwall.In Cornwall you will the picturesque town of Polpero. Boat trips operate from polperro harbour every few mins. Doing half hour trips along the coast and also trips by boat to neighbouring Looe and Fowey.The Eden project is about 20 miles from polperro. Polperro itself has to much to offer with many bars and restaurants. The coastal walk which runs the length of Cornwall.
The Counties of England: Avon, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Humberside Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire.
The following explains why the Mayor decided to introduce congestion charging in central London When does it operate: Current Congestion Operating Hours are 7:00AM — 6:00PM Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays. ( may no longer be correct so check - Editor)
Voltage: The standard electrical voltage in England/ Britain is 240 v AC, 50HZ. A three square pronged adapter plug and/or electric converter for appliances is required - Like Cyprus,Ireland & Malta Country Telephone Code: +44 (For Wales - Scotland - Northern Ireland as well)
Currency: Pound Sterling [United Kingdom Pound] (£) Currency Conversion Here (For Wales and Scotland as well) Population 2006: 50,093,100 Land Area: 130,395 Km2 Weather
in Glasgow
Scotland: Forms the top part of the Island and the country is also made up of some 186 islands including the Orkneys, Hebrides, Shetlands and Arran. The mainland is predominantly mountainous. The Highlands are well known for their scenic grandeur. There are plenty of picturesque Lochs (lakes). The main mountain ranges are the Grampians and they have the highest peak in Scotland / Britain — Ben Nevis. The capital is Edinburgh and other major cities are Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. Temperatures are generally colder than in southern England — Edinburgh from 3.5 degreesC in January to 14.5 degees C in July. In winter there are the ski resorts and fishing is very popular as well as the country having many golf courses including the famous St Andrews. English is generally spoken, but a percentage of Scots speak the Scottish form of Gaelic. This is mainly in the Highlands and islands. Cuisine is very good and remember when you are in Scotland, you are in the home of Scotch whisky.
There are 95 inhabited islands in Scotland with a total population of just under 100,000. The Outer Islands — Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles The islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides lie at the very edge of Europe and have a rugged natural beauty, with unspoilt beaches, plentiful wildlife and a unique culture and traditions. Orkney and Shetland share many of these qualities together with archaeological sites, burial mounds, stones circles and settlements of the earliest peoples. The islands have a Norse heritage that is evident everywhere . There are also thousands of birds and other wildlife that make their home in these isles. The Scottish Highlands If you are looking for spectacular mountains, majestic glens and mirror-like lochs form the perfect backdrop to picturesque towns, isolated crofts, towering castles and pagoda-topped distilleries the Scottish Highlands have so much to offer. A startling variety of wildlife also makes its home in the sea-lochs and glens where an unbroken thread of human history reaches back into the mists of time. The great outdoors combine History, legend, romance to guarantee visitors a warm Highland welcome and a truly memorable holiday. Whether you are looking for an action-packed adventure, a taste of the local culture and history, or just complete peace and quiet, the Highlands of Scotland is a place well worth visiting. Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Trossachs If you want to savour the atmosphere of Hebridean islands, the charm of rural villages and the natural frontier which separates the rugged grandeur of the West Highlands from the gentler beauty of the Lowlands this is the place to visit. You can trace the footsteps of heroes like St Columba, Sir William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots and villains like the notorious outlaw Rob Roy. It is an area where you may see an eagle, an osprey, a wildcat, a fine antlered stag or even whales and dolphins. And if the fancy takes you, you can enjoy the spectacle of a Highland Games, the warmth of a traditional folk night or the flavour of a local food festival. Scotland's first great travel writer, Sir Walter Scott wrote of the landscapes around Loch Katrine in his best-selling poem, the Lady of the Lake. Edinburgh & the Lothians Robert Louis Stevenson said that Edinburgh is what Paris ought to be. The capital city has magnificent architecture shifts from the lofty tenements and narrow streets of its medieval Old Town as they tumble down the spine of the Royal Mile, to the grace and geometric precision of the Georgian New Town. Above it all, in its towering splendour, stands the Castle. An enchanting walk around the city will reveal an alleyway leading to an ancient courtyard. Outside the city, the Lothian countryside provides a beautiful setting for the rich gems of the capital. This is an area steeped in history, filled with castles, great houses and battle sites. It's also the ancient home of the game of golf and you can find some of the great golf links and parkland courses of the world here. In fact, the trails and parkland and miles of glorious coastline in the Lothians open up the countryside for everyone — from the fine golden beaches, to ramblers high in the Pentland Hills. Greater Glasgow & the Clyde Valley Vibrant and energetic, Glasgow enjoys a year-round buzz that visitors just love. This is particularly true of the city's arts scene. Over 200 arts organisations, including Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, are based there, creating the cutting-edge productions and attracting high-profile exhibitions that led to the city being crowned as a European City of Culture. In 1999 Glasgow was the UK's City of Architecture and Design and its architecture is certainly an attraction in itself. Central Glasgow's Manhattan-style town planning affords many sweeping vistas of the city's impressive Victorian buildings, dotted with little gems from the medieval to the present day. But it¿s the Art Nouveau 'Glasgow Style' for which the city has become famous and no one should miss the work of Glasgow's most celebrated sons, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Surrounding the city is some of the best of Scotland's scenery, from the rolling hills of the Clyde Valley to the beautiful walking country of East Dunbartonshire that borders the south-west Highlands. Exploring further, you'll find that many of the towns and villages in the area such as Paisley, Hamilton, Biggar, Greenock, Gourock and of course the breathtaking New Lanark World Heritage Site make great day excursions from the city and offer a range of attractions that make discoverng their rich history a real joy. Perthshire, Angus & Dundee and the Kingdom of Fife From the rolling heather moorland of Rannoch in the west, all the way to the well-manicured golf courses and path network of coastal Fife, you'll soon discover that Scotland's heartlands are an area with an astonishingly diverse terrain, with plenty to attract and entertain visitors. And in between, the Angus Glens with their unspoilt wildness and sense of space make for the perfect escape. The area also boasts some of Scotland's most attractive towns and cities: Perth, with its upbeat air, busy shops and relaxing pubs and wine bars; Dundee, dynamic and ideal for a cultural fix; Pitlochry and Aberfeldy, friendly,small-scale and welcoming, while not forgetting the pantile houses and colourful harbours of Fife's East Neuk — that is a photographer's paradise. Moving away from habitation, the region offers plenty of active opportunities, from fabulous golf on some of the world's most famous courses to more adventurous alternatives, all set against countryside and coastlines rich with abundant wildlife South of Scotland Here you will find rich, rolling farmland, rugged sea coasts and Clyde coast islands characterise the south of Scotland. It's a land of ancient abbeys, castles and historic houses and also boasts strong literary connections, with both Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott having lived here. The real Scotland starts right at the border with England. You will immediately find different accents in the shops and different names for beer in pubs are just two of the ways in which Scotland stamps its own personality straight away. Even some of the money is different with many of the Scottish banks issuing their own bank notes. The scenery changes and the hazy blue peaks of the Cheviot and Eildon Hills running out to a wide horizon have lifted the hearts of generations of travellers at Carter Bar on the A68. There are then the forests and wild moors of upland Galloway and the vivid greens of Ayrshire's rich pastures, with the steep mountainous profile of the island of Arran as a backdrop. Wherever you travel here, you can be sure of a real Scottish experience. Counties in Scotland Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow, Highland Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands ,Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands ,South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire ,West Lothian, Western Isles Population 2006: 5,078,400 Land Area: 78,782 Km2 Weather
in Pentyrch
Language: The official languages are English and Welsh and you will see that most signposting on the roads and street signs are in two languages. Population The shape and nature of the land have a huge influence on population. About half the population live in the south in an around the Cardiff, Newport and Swansea area.Travel into the hills and mountains and the population soon becomes thinly scattered across large areas dotted with the occasional small town/village. Climate Wales is a mixture of weather patterns. It has been said Wales is green because of the rain. Not so true as many parts of the country have average or below-average rainfall — it even boasts some of the sunniest spots in Britain The Counties of Wales - There are 13 counties in Wales: Anglesey — Sir Fôn. Brecknockshire — ( Breconshire ) Sir Frycheiniog Caernarfonshire — (Carnarvonshire) Sir Gaernarfon Cardiganshire — Ceredigion or Sir Aberteifi Carmarthenshire — Sir Gaerfyrddin Denbighshire — Sir Ddinbych Flintshire — Sir y Fflint Glamorgan — Morgannwg Merioneth — Meirionnydd Monmouthshire — Sir Fynwy Montgomeryshire — Sir Drefaldwyn Pembrokeshire — Sir Benfro Radnorshire — Sir Faesyfed (Powys covers the former administrative counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire, and a small part of Denbighshire) Cardiff the capital City of Wales It celebrated its centenary in 2005 It is a vibrant city that has undergone a major transformation of the last few year with the docklands development being transformed into a stunning waterfront with a wealth of attractions, leisure facilities and its own Visitor Centre 'The Tube' to keep you informed. There is also the Millennium sports stadium that has been home to English football final whilst Wembley stadium has been rebuilt. It has a thriving cultural scene, accommodation to suit all budgets, a diverse mix of entertainment, restaurants and bars and some of the best shopping in the UK. It also has the advantage of being very close to the sea. Cardiff’s arts facilities are exceptional, with the National Museum and Gallery housing the second largest Impressionist collection after Paris. Cardiff's Bay has been transformed into a stunning waterfront with a wealth of attractions, leisure facilities and its own Visitor Centre 'The Tube' to keep you informed. South Wales is strewn with castles and Cardiff has its fair share; most notable the stunningly elaborate Cardiff Castle located in the centre of the city. On the northern edge of Cardiff, set in the wooded hillside, is the fairytale Castell Coch (Red Castle) located. Other major towns and cities are: Newport - a busy industrial town that is close to Cardiff and benefits from all of the capital's facilities and infrastructure. Swansea is the country's sesond largest city and like Cardiff the dockland area has been extensively redeveloped as a leisure centre and marina. Holyhead has excellent road connections with the new A55 from the north coast of Wales and Chester border area connecting it to the port (Fast ferry services to Ireland) Also: Ruthin, Porthmadog, Llangollen, Llandudno, Llanberis, Caerphilly, Caernarfon, Betws Y Coed, Aberystwyth Population 2006: 2,952,500 Land Area: 20,779 Km2 Source
jmlvillas.com
- (some of this information has been provided by
jmlvillas.com clients)
Glorious Goodwood Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane By Dick Suter Article from 2001 Here
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Emergency Telephone number: pan-EU Emergency 112 Can be used in all EU Countries and it can be dialled from a locked mobile or a mobile with no sim card. UK Police NON EMERGENCY to local Police - 101 Emergency 112 or 999 Other Country Information Guides | ||||||||||||||
- Scotland 
- Wales 
& Northern Ireland 
The UK left
the EU on the 31 January 2020
At roundabouts,
traffic coming from the right
has priority i.e traffic on the
the roundabout already proceeding
clockwise. 
Mobile Phones: It
is against
the law to use a hand-held
cell-phone/
mobile when driving. Holding
a mobile in a moving vehicle is
considered an offence. Hands
free systems are allowed provided
they are properly fitted with
a bracket to the car's dashboard.
Although drivers risk a £60
fine and 3 penalty points on their
liceence, like so many other countries
people still drive and text or
use the mobile. Don't risk using
one as you can receive a heavy
fine in most countries and more
important cause a serious accident.
Driving
Age: Age to drive a car
is 17.
If you have held a full licence
in your own country for at least
a year, you can drive on British
roads.
Motorways/
Tolls:
are shown by 'M' plus a number
on signs. There are no
toll charges to pay on
British motorways except
the M4
and
M48 Severn Bridges into
Wales (ending in 2018), the Humber
Bridge near Hull, the M25
Dartford Tunnel/bridge crossing
(see below)
and M6 Toll
near Birmingham in The Midlands.
Try and avoid the M25
'London Orbital' and the M5/M6/M42
in Birmingham during rush hour
times (0800-0930 and 1630-1800)
as these can be extremely busy.
From
October 2014 the toll bridge /
tunnel on the the Dartford - Thurrock
River Crossing connecting the
M25south and north has a new payment
system. Rather like the congestion
charge in London or the M50 toll
in Dublin, Ireland there are no
booths to pay. No doubt this will
spped up the traffic flow. The
crossing will be free to use between
10pm and 6am.
Speed Cameras: There
are speed camera warning signs
all over the UK and this does
not always mean there is going
to be an actual camera close by,
but the type of signs on the right
are used on motorways on overhead
systems like on the M25 (London
orbital) and M42/M6 (Birmingham
with variable spped systems.
A warning sign with the speed
you should be driving at are normally
displayed just before the camera
itself and on some roads (Like
in approacheds to cities) there
could be several along a short
stretch of road. 
Some of the cameras can be adjusted
so they point one way for a period
of time and then another for a
few weeks. Mobile camera vans
are also used a great deal in
built up areas and rural areas.
These are normally painted to
look like a Police van with the
cameras usually pointing out of
the back windows. 
Seatbelts: Seatbelts are
compulsory in the front and rear
of the vehicle and suitable child
restraints and booster seats must
also be used.
MPs call
for zero tolerance of drink driving
- Drinking and driving should
be outlawed completely with the
blood alcohol limit effectively
brought down to zero, MPs have
said See December 2010 Daily Telegraph
Article Here
Parking: Parking
is controlled by single and double
yellow lines Like in Ireland).
Cars parked illegally may be towed
away, so always check the parking
restrictions before parking and
leaving your vehicle. You must
not park on a zebra or other Pedestrian
crossing zone. Parking
in many cities is very expensive
and it is often better to use
"Park and Ride" services.
The London Congestion Charge:
Disabled Parking
Headlights:
Although not a legal requirement
in the UK, when there is adverse
weather conditions it makes sense
to use sidelights and even dipped
headlights.This helps other vehicle
uses to see your vehicle. Unfortunately
a lot of drivers only turn their
light when it is pitch black dark
at night and don't even bother
to turn their lights on when they
go into a tunnel.
Driving
in the Snow / Ice: If
you must drive during snowy conditions
please ensure you remove the snow
from your number plate and the
roof of your car. Both carry penalties
i.e. fines and points. 
1960's
AA motor bike at Silverstone 2011
Information from holiday autos about the UK
car hire in London
Cuisine is very good and England
is famous for its pubs. You can normally eat very well in
a pub and enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine or two
with your meal. 
London: London is the capital
of England and Britain and was the host city to the 2012
Olympics. It is a vibrant, bustling, multi-cultural city
steeped in history. With a population of over 7 million.
It is divided by the River Thames with numerous bridges
to cross. It has something to offer everyone with over 30,000
shops in bustling shopping centres with all the major stores,
specialist shops and markets (like in Camden, Notting Hill
or Brick Lane), stately homes and houses, cathedrals and
churches, tranquil green parks and a zoo, over 300 museums
and art galleries and a superb choice of over 6,000 restaurants,
hotels b&b’s and self catering accommodation. As well as
all of these there are the cinemas in Leicester Square and
Theatre land in Shaftsbury Avenue and surrounding streets.
Welcome to Wales — Croeso Cymru- Wales is
the smallest of the three countries in Britain.
It occupies a broad peninsula on the west side of
Britain. The country also includes the island of
Anglesey (with fast catamaran car ferry connections
to Ireland). The country is almost entirely mountainous
with two main ranges, the Cambrian that extend north
to south through the centre and Snowdon in the north,
the climate is very similar to that of England.
It has always maintained its historical independence
and individuality and has it's own parliament —
the Welsh Asembly (although
most major laws are still passed at Westminster,
London). 
Goodwood Revival
10 years on - 2008
"Wine
Driving
in Austria
Driving
in Belgium
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in Bulgaria
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in Canada
Driving
in Cyprus
Driving
in The
Czech
Republic
Driving
in Denmark
Driving
in Finland
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in France
and
Corscia
Driving
in Germany
Driving
in Greece
and
the
Greek
Islands
Driving
in Holland
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in Hungary
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in Iceland