It may come as surprise, but you do not have to carry any form of ID in the UK, and you can travel without your passport or driving licence.
Travel in the UK is expensive, so you need to plan your journeys for both convenience and economy. Traveline can give advice, as can the more specific websites shown below.If you are planning a trip to London, enquire about a London Travelcard (see Travellers Toolkit website). This card allows travel at reduced rates on underground, bus, and local train services in an area of London for a day, a week, a month, or periods of up to a year. Weekend travelcards are valid for two days over a weekend.
By Train
There is no longer a single company responsible for the railways. Instead, the track and signalling equipment belongs to one organisation, and the responsibility for the rolling stock and running the trains has been broken into a number of franchises, each covering a part of the rail network. Confused? So are the train users.
To find the times of trains you can ask at the nearest station, ring National Rail Enquiries on 0845 7484950 or, best of all, visit the National Rail website.
Remember to ask for a receipt when you buy your ticket because the ticket itself will be retained by any automatic barrier at your destination.
By Tube
For enquiries about the London Underground, ring 0207 222 1231 or visit the Transport for London website.
By Coach or Bus
Finding information about coach or bus travel is more difficult than for rail travel but try National Express. National Express also run coaches between the various London airports, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead.
By Taxi
If you need a taxi but do not know the phone number of a local taxi company, ring 11824. This will connect you with a Yellow Pages service which can give you the information.
A tip of 10% of the fare is normal in the UK. Do not forget to ask for a receipt which covers both the fare and the tip.
By Car
You must have a valid car licence and suitable insurance before you can drive your own car, a hire car or the Client’s car in the UK. If your car licence is issued in one of the European Economic Area countries (a “Community Licence”), you may use it indefinitely. Otherwise, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) (see AA website) which remains valid for 12 months after you enter the UK., see Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA). Using your own vehicle for transporting a Client is not recommended unless you are insured for business use. Make sure you get a map and allow sufficient time for your journey. All distances shown on road signs are in miles (one mile=1.6 km). Both the AA and the RAC will give you routes and timings.
Do not attempt to drive into or through the centre of London on weekdays because, quite apart from the high traffic density, a compulsory Congestion Charge operates. There is more information on the Transport for London website. The wearing of seat belts in both front and rear seats is compulsory. It is also illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is set up for hands-free use.
Remember, petrol stations in the UK are entirely self service; there are no attendants to check your oil and coolant.
Some basic rules when driving (for more detailed information, buy the booklet “The Highway Code”):
- In Europe, only the UK and Ireland drive on the left.
- The standard speed limits are:
In built-up areas: 30 mph (48 km/h) but sometimes less at accident black spots
On single carriageway roads: 60 mph (97 km/h).
On dual carriageway roads and motorways: 70 mph (113 km/h).
- Give way to traffic coming from your right. At roundabouts, this means that a vehicle already on the roundabout has priority over one entering.
- Only overtake a slower vehicle by passing it on its right hand side.
- At traffic lights, filter lanes to left or right are also controlled by lights. You are not allowed to filter left against a red light, even it seems safe to do so.
- If you are stopped by the police, they will probably check the roadworthiness of the vehicle and ask you to show the vehicle’s documents and your driving licence. If you do not have these to hand at the time, you are allowed five days to show them at any police station.
Roadworthiness includes:
- The condition of the tyres, i.e. correctly inflated, with sufficient tread (at least 1.6mm depth) and free from cuts and damage.
- The condition of the exhaust system, i.e. intact, with no holes.
- All lights working.
- Windscreen, lights and number plates clean.
To be road legal, the car must have the following documents:
- A valid Vehicle Excise Duty disc, “tax disc”; this has to be displayed on the windscreen and shows the expiry date.
- A valid Ministry of Transport Test Certificate, “MOT certificate”. This confirms that the vehicle passed its last annual roadworthiness test.
- A valid Certificate of Insurance confirming that the vehicle is covered by either “third party” or “comprehensive” insurance.
- For you to be allowed to drive a vehicle, you must have a valid driving licence. You can use your licence from your home country for up to 12 months from your date of entry to the UK). An International Driving Permit is not essential providing your licence includes a photograph.
Client’s Car
You may find that your Client has a car and expects you to drive them to the doctor, to go shopping or just to have an outing. In this case, the Agency requires the Client (or his representative) to ensure that the vehicle is fully maintained, road legal and suitably insured for you to drive.
Assuming you adhere to the rules of the road while driving, an out of date tax disc is the most likely reason for your being stopped by the police. A glance at the date on the tax disc on the windscreen will confirm whether it is valid. Before driving away, how about checking the fuel level and asking what fuel the vehicle requires, e.g. lead free petrol or diesel?