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 are able to provide our self-drive customers an excellent selection of vehicles from a reputable car rental agency as well as plenty of tools to help navigate Scotland with ease.
For your own unforgettable road trip, you can select one of our popular self-drive tours or request your own custom-made itinerary by using our contact form.
Rental car types for Scotland:
| Group | Type | Name | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Economy | Toyota Yaris or similar | Manual |
| B | Compact | Vauxhall Astra or similar | Manual |
| C | Economy | Toyota Auris or similar | Automatic |
| D | Standard | Ford Mondeo or similar | Automatic |
| E | Premium | BMW 520 or similar | Automatic |
| F | Intermediate SUV | Vauhxall Grandland or similar | Automatic |
| G | Premium Passenger Van | Mercedes Vito or similar | Automatic/Manual |
Important information:
• Young driving fee: The minimum rental age is 23. Drivers aged 23 or 24 can rent vehicles in groups A, B, C or F and are subject to a young driver surcharge of £25 per day.
• Drivers older than 80: The car rental agency asks that you inform Nordic Visitor at the time of booking if you have any medical conditions that may impact your driving.
• Car seats: Children under the age of 12 with a height below 135cm are required to travel in a child seat. These can be hired for just £1 per day.
• Driving license: Drivers must hold a valid and full driving licence for a minimum period of 4 years. This reduces to 1 year if the driver is over 23 years of age.
• Terms & conditions: Your rental agent will go through all the terms and conditions when you pick up your car.
• Extra driver: The tour includes two authorised drivers for the rental car. It’s possible to add an additional driver for an extra fee, contact us for further details.
Included in all rentals:
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability
• Unlimited mileage
• Authorisation for two drivers (additional drivers at extra fee)
Not included:
• Petrol/Diesel
• Transfers between accommodation and car rental agency
• Overnight parking at hotels
• Parking fees, parking fines, or towing charges
• Fines for traffic violations
• Fees for ferries not listed in itinerary
• Negligent vehicle damage (e.g., 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) on rental agreement (2 are already included)
• Child seat or booster
*Optional features are available for an additional fee and can be selected at the local car rental office at time of pick-up.
Payment information: Nordic Visitor's self-drive packages cover the cost of the rental, but you are ultimately responsible for any extra charges or costs due to the use of the rented vehicle. VISA and Mastercard credit cards are accepted at the car rental location at the time of pick-up, and the credit card must be in the driver’s name. Please note that the car rental agency will require a minimum fuel deposit of £100 at the time of payment. Cash is not accepted.
For group G vehicles (BMW 520 or similar), please note that the car rental agency will require a deposit of £500.
Your rental agent will make an imprint of your card for security reasons when you come to collect your car. Your Nordic Visitor voucher will cover the cost of the rental, but the imprint may be used to pay any extra charges or cost due to the use of the rented vehicle.
Good to know:
• Remember, motorists drive on the left side of the road in all of the UK.
• If you are 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. (Floor pedals are the same.)
• 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 driver’s license (please see below question for criteria) and a credit card for insurance purposes. You’ll also need to know the rules of the road, so check out our handy driving guide.
Do I need international driver’s license in Scotland?
If you hold a valid driver’s license from within the EU, you do not need an international driver’s license or international driver’s permit to drive in Scotland. If you are from outside the EU, then you can drive any small vehicle with a valid license providing you’ve held it for the minimum of 12 months.
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!
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.
