Car hire
Click here to find a car hire company
Own car
If you have your own car
- Your car must have passed its MOT (annual vehicle safety test). MOT test centres can be found across London.
- You need to pay vehicle tax.
- You must have car insurance.
- You may want to get breakdown cover. This can range from roadside assistance to a more deluxe package providing accommodation, etc. Options include the AA, RAC and Green Flag. Comparison sites include Money Supermarket and Compare the Market.
There is a Congestion Charge zone within central London.
There is also a Low emission zone. This is for larger vehicles, click here for details.
And an Ultra low emission zone operating within central London. This can apply to
- Cars (petrol and diesel)
- Vans, minibuses and lighter specialist vehicles
- Motorcycles, mopeds and more
- Lorries, coaches and other larger vehicles
Parking in London
- Some roads may be free to park on.
- Some roads may be resident (permit) only parking for part of or all day.
- Or you may need to pay at a car parking machine on the roadside.
- Park in a car park.
- Some people rent out their driveways for car parking, especially for special events.
- You may need a residents permit to park on the road outside your property. This is normally obtained from your local council.
Top Tips
- Do not drive in a bus lane – you will be fined.
- It is illegal to ride a motorcycle or drive using hand-held phones or similar devices. This includes being in a traffic queue or if you’ve stopped at traffic lights.
- Every passenger must wear a seatbelt and children must use the correct car seat for their weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first. Click here for further details.
- Cars are filled with either petrol or diesel (make sure you use the correct fuel).
- Click here to locate the cheapest petrol stations in your area.
- Click here to locate charge points in London for your electric vehicle.
Useful websites
- Plan your route
- Find parking in London
- Highway Code – road safety and vehicle rules