Car Rentals in Scotland
At Nordic Visitor, we believe the journey is just as important as the destination. That’s why we offer a great selection of high-quality, dependable vehicles from a reputable local car rental agency.
Self-Drive Vehicles for Hire
A self-drive tour is a fantastic way to experience Scotland at a flexible pace. As a local travel agency, we’ll provide you with an excellent selection of vehicles from a reputable car rental company. Plus, we’ll give you all the tools you need to navigate Scotland with ease.
To plan your own unforgettable road trip, browse our range of self-drive tours. Or contact us to enquire about the best option for you.
Rental car types for Scotland:
| Group | Type | Name | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Compact | Vauxhall Astra or similar | Manual |
| D | Economy | Toyota Auris or similar | Automatic |
| E | Standard | Ford Mondeo or similar | Automatic |
| F | Premium | BMW 520 or similar | Automatic |
| G | Intermediate SUV | Vauhxall Grandland or similar | Automatic |
| H | Premium Passenger Van | Mercedes Vito or similar | Automatic/Manual |
Important information:
• Young driver fee: Drivers aged under 25 will need to pay a young driver surcharge. There are also some restrictions on the type of vehicle you can rent. Please get in touch for more information.
• Drivers over the age of 80: If you are aged 80 or older, please inform Nordic Visitor at time of booking if you have any medical conditions that could affect your driving.
• Car seats: In Scotland, all children under 12 or shorter than 4 foot 5 inches (135 centimetres) must sit on the correct child seat or booster. These can be rented from the car rental agency and must be pre-ordered. You can do this by asking your Nordic Visitor travel consultant at time of booking.
• Driving licence: Drivers must have held a valid and full driving licence for a minimum of 1 year. If you are younger than 23 you will need to have held your licence for 4 years.
• Terms & conditions: Your rental agent will go through all the terms and conditions when you pick up your car.
• Extra driver: Each tour package includes 2 authorised drivers for your rental car. It’s possible to add an additional driver for an extra fee. Contact us for further details.
Included in all rentals:
• Unlimited mileage
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• 2 authorised drivers
• Third party liability
• Theft protection
• 24/7 emergency roadside assistance
• Airport security fee (if you are picking up or dropping off your rental car at an airport)
Not included:
• Petrol/Diesel
• GPS
• Taxi fares between your accommodation and the car rental office
• Child seats or boosters
• One-way drop off fees
• Parking fees, parking fines, or towing charges
• Fines for traffic violations
• Excess waiver (deductibles)
• Fees for ferries (unless included in the itinerary)
• Negligent driver vehicle damage (eg. due to damage caused to tyres, wheels lost or damaged keys, damage to the interior of the vehicle, incorrect fuel, alcohol/drug use, off-road driving, etc). It also does not cover costs following a road traffic accident where the vehicle has to be recovered from an off-road location and there is no third party involved. All costs incurred must be paid by the renter.
Optional*
• Additional driver(s)
• Child seats or boosters
*Optional features are available for an additional fee, which you will pay when you collect your rental car. They must be pre-ordered by letting Nordic Visitor know at time of booking.
Payment information: Nordic Visitor’s self-drive tour packages cover the cost of the rental, but you are ultimately responsible for any extra charges or costs incurred by the use of the vehicle.
Visa and Mastercard credit cards only are accepted at the car rental office at time of pickup. They must be in-date for at least 3 months after your departure from Scotland.
Please note that the car rental agency will require a fuel deposit at time of pickup, which will be returned to you if the car is returned with a full tank of fuel. There may also be an additional security deposit required, especially if you are a first-time hirer. The deposit amount will depend on the type of vehicle hired.
The rental agent will make an imprint of a credit card in the driver’s name when you come to collect your car. Your Nordic Visitor voucher covers the cost of the rental, but this imprint will be used to cover any extra charges or costs that might be required due to the use of the rented vehicle.Good to know:
• Remember, motorists drive on the left side of the road in Scotland.
• If you’re not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission when you book online. Keep in mind that in a manual transmission vehicle, you need to shift gears with your left hand as the driver seat is on the right.
• If you experience a breakdown while driving in Scotland, you’ll find an emergency roadside assistance number displayed on your car’s key fob and on the inside of the windscreen.
• See our Driving in Scotland page for more information.
Frequently asked questions:
What do I need to rent a car in Scotland?
To rent a car in Scotland you will need a valid driving licence (please see the question below for more criteria) and a credit card in the driver’s name.
If you are from the UK, or an EU citizen who is resident in the UK, you will also need to bring proof of address. This could be a utility bill or bank or credit card statement issued within the last three months.
EU citizens who do not live in the UK will need to show your passport or ID card in addition to your driving licence.
Drivers who are not from the UK or EU must show their driving licence in an English translation. If you don’t have this, you will need an international driving permit, as well as your domestic driving licence and your passport.
All drivers who are not from the UK will need to show proof of when they arrived in Britian by showing either their boarding pass, flight ticket or passport stamp. This is to check you have been in the UK for less than 12 months.
You’ll also need to know the rules of the road, so check out our handy driving guide.
Do I need international driving licence in Scotland?
If you hold a valid driving licence from the USA, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, China, India or within the EU, you do not need an international driving licence or international driving permit to drive in Scotland.
That said, if you are not from the EU, you will need to show an English translation of your licence if it is not already written in English. If you don’t have this, an international driving permit is required.
If you are from a different country, will likely need to apply for an international driving licence or permit. Please check your government’s website for up-to-date information on if your licence is valid for driving in the UK.
Are there toll roads in Scotland?
There are no toll roads in Scotland, so save your coins and treat yourself to a piece of Scotland’s famous shortbread instead!
What side of the road do people drive on in Scotland?
In Scotland, as with the rest of the United Kingdom, you drive on the left-hand side of the road. For more rules of the road and useful tips, read our driving guide.
