United Kingdom

General Information

Information about roads, speed limits, mandatory car equipment, and some traffic rule requirements. More detailed information on toll roads, petrol prices, parking, speed limits, etc., can be found in the sections below.

In the United Kingdom, there is left-hand traffic.

	Toll payment based on distance at special control points
	Urban areas – 48 km/h Outside urban areas – 96 km/h Motorway – 112 km/h Expressway – 112 km/h Dipped headlights at night and in poor weather conditions
	Maximum blood alcohol level 0.8 ‰ Talking on the phone while driving is prohibited
	Winter tires not mandatory, Tire chains allowed only on snow, Studded tires allowed
	Recommended equipment: Emergency stop sign, First aid kit, Reflective vest, Fire extinguisher,
	Seat belts mandatory for all passengers Child restraint/booster required for children under 11 years and height below 135 cm

Toll Roads

In the United Kingdom, there are tolls for certain road sections. Toll charges also apply to some bridges and tunnels. Currently, the only toll motorway in the United Kingdom is the M6, located north of Birmingham.

How to Pay

If you have an account with M6 Toll, the toll booth will open automatically as you approach. If you don't have an account, use the "CARD ONLY" lane, approach the toll booth, and touch your contactless card.

The barrier will lift, and the traffic light will turn green once your payment is processed.

Note: Payment can only be made with a card – cash or phone/smart device payments are not accepted.

Where to Pay

You pay the "Mainline" price if you pass through toll points on the main carriageway. They are located at Weeford Park (south, between junctions T4 and T3) and Great Wyrley (north, between junctions T6 and T7).

The "Junction" price applies when exiting M6toll at junctions T3 (Langley Mill), T4 (Weeford), T5 (Shenstone), or T6 (Burntwood). The toll booth is located under the exit ramp.

For more details on the M6 toll motorway, you can visit the website: www.m6toll.co.uk

Tunnel Crossing Charges in the United Kingdom

For more information on Dartford Tunnel charges, visit the government website: https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge/charges

For more information on Mersey Tunnels charges, visit: https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tunnels/tolls-fees-and-charges/

For more information on Tyne Tunnel charges, visit: https://www.tt2.co.uk/

Bridge Crossing Charges in the United Kingdom

For more information on Humber Bridge tolls, visit: https://www.humberbridge.co.uk/humberbridge/toll-charges-restrictions/

For more information on Itchen Bridge tolls, visit: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/apply-pay/itchen-bridge/

For more information on Dartford Tunnel or Queen Elizabeth II Bridge charges, visit the government website: https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge/charges

For more information on Dunham Bridge tolls, visit: https://www.dunhambridge.co.uk/Tolls#2022

For more information on Mersey Gateway tolls, visit: https://www.merseyflow.co.uk/toll-charges

For more information on Tamar Bridge tolls, visit: https://www.tamarcrossings.org.uk/prices/tamar-bridge-tolls/

Eurotunnel

The cost of crossing the tunnel depends on the type of vehicle, the time of day, and how far in advance you purchase the ticket for the journey.
There are different ticket types based on refundability and the duration of stay on the other side of the tunnel.

Ticket Types for Eurotunnel Crossing

Examples of Standard Ticket Prices for Eurotunnel Crossing

Car transportation is done in special shuttles designed to transport vehicles through the tunnels to the UK or France in just 35 minutes.

Each passenger shuttle has a locomotive at each end. One half of the shuttle is single-deck, and the other is double-deck. Each shuttle has a "single-deck loader" at each end of the single-deck section and a "double-deck loader" at each end of the double-deck section.

Regular cars usually load onto the double-deck section, allowing you to drive up the ramp inside the shuttle to reach the upper deck, or you will be directed straight through the shuttle on the lower deck. Taller vehicles, motorhomes, and tour buses enter directly into the single-deck section.

Most cars can comfortably use the double deck, enjoying ample space, and after boarding, you can freely exit the car and stretch your legs.

Follow the signs at the loading terminal: Medium & Small

Details about fares are available on the Eurotunnel website: https://www.eurotunnel.com/uk/tickets-and-fares/
You can purchase tickets on the Eurotunnel website: https://www.eurotunnel.com/book/YourJourney/(0)

Congestion Charge Zone in London

You need to pay £15 per day if you plan to drive within the Congestion Charge zone.

The congestion charge (CC) payment time is 07:00-18:00 Monday-Friday, 12:00-18:00 Saturday-Sunday, and public holidays. Free between Christmas and New Year's Day (inclusive).

How to Pay

Auto Pay. You will be automatically billed for the number of days you drive in the zone, and if it does not meet standards, in the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). To use this payment method, you need to register on the official Transport For London website

Pay in advance or by midnight on the day of travel
You can prepay up to 90 days in advance. For example, you can pay for one day, a month, or a year. Or you can pay after the journey on the same day.
Payment on the Transport For London website

Until midnight on the third day after the journey
You can only pay within the next three days online or by phone, and the cost will be £17.50.
Payment on the Transport For London website

The boundaries of the London Congestion Charge zone are clearly marked with special signs. There are no barriers or special booths for payment at the zone's borders. The boundaries are monitored by cameras that capture all passing vehicle numbers, based on which the necessary charge is then paid. Cameras recognize both British and other European numbers.

More details about payment in the Congestion Charge zone on the (English) website

Congestion Charge zone on the map of London

ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) and LEZ (Low Emission Zone)

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) operates 24/7, every day of the year, except Christmas (December 25). The zone covers all areas of London and does not include the M25.

If your vehicle does not meet ULEZ emission standards and is not exempt, you need to pay £12.50 per day for travel in the zone. This applies to cars, motorcycles, minibusses and special vehicles (up to 3.5 tons) and minibusses (up to 5 tons).

Emission standards that your vehicle must meet for the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) depend on the vehicle and emission type. To meet ULEZ emission standards, your vehicle must meet the required Euro standard.

ULEZ standards:

• Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, and quadricycles
• Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibusses, and other special vehicles
• Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans, minibusses, and other special vehicles

The Low Emission Zone (LEZ) operates to encourage polluting diesel vehicles traveling in London to become cleaner. LEZ covers most of Greater London and operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Minimum emission standard: Euro 3 (PM)

ULEZ, LEZ, and DVS operate on the same territory, but they are different schemes. The area covers all London areas and the City of London.

Charges are applied from midnight to midnight every day of the year.

If your vehicle complies with the standards, you just need to register on the Transport For London website

More about Low Emission Zones and links to payment: About ULEZ About LEZ

Speed Limits

Standard speed limits in the United Kingdom (unless indicated otherwise on signs).

Cars, motorhomes (up to 3.05 tons), motorcycles:

• in built-up areas – 48 km/h (30 mph)
• outside built-up areas – 96 km/h (60 mph)
• on single-carriageway roads – 112 km/h (70 mph)
• on motorways – 112 km/h (70 mph)

Cars with trailers:

• in built-up areas – 48 km/h (30 mph)
• outside built-up areas – 80 km/h (50 mph)
• on single-carriageway roads – 96 km/h (60 mph)
• on motorways – 96 km/h (60 mph)

Motorhomes (over 3.05 tons):

• in built-up areas – 48 km/h (30 mph)
• outside built-up areas – 80 km/h (50 mph)
• on single-carriageway roads – 96 km/h (60 mph)
• on motorways – 112 km/h (70 mph)

If there are no signs, the speed limit is 48 km/h (30 mph).

Dipped Headlights

Dipped headlights are mandatory at night (from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise).

Headlights in vehicles with left-hand steering must be taped with adhesive tape to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers. Otherwise, you may be stopped by the police and fined up to £1,000 (€1,149).

Cost of Petrol in the United Kingdom

Parking in the United Kingdom

On most parking lots, you take a ticket upon entry, and payment is made upon exit.
In the United Kingdom, there is also "pay and display" parking. This means you buy a ticket for a certain period and display it on the front windshield.

Double and single yellow and red lines along the road's edge are used to indicate where parking is allowed or prohibited:

• Single yellow line: parking is restricted at certain times. Stopping for passenger drop-off is allowed, but the driver must remain in the car.
• Double yellow lines: parking is prohibited at any time.
• Single red line: parking is restricted at certain times.
• Double red lines: parking is prohibited at any time.

More about parking rules on the government website

Estimated parking costs in UK cities

Once you find a parking space, you must pay immediately. There is no free time. All parking meters in London accept 20 pence and £1 coins. Payment machines allow payment with various recommended coins, and some will allow debit or credit card payment.

In some regions, you can also use a mobile phone and credit/debit card for parking payment. If this feature is available, you will need to register with the service provider and indicate how long you want to park in that location. There will be signs on the street guiding you on how to do this.

In most regions, there is a maximum parking time, typically ranging from two to four hours. This will also be indicated on signs and/or information boards. You must park your car entirely within the white markings on the road.

Parking in London

For London, it is recommended to use the mobile app: RingGo

Parking rates in London from Monday to Friday 8 am - 7 pm

Parking rates in London on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays

More details about parking in London on the city's website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Interactive parking map in London

Mandatory Equipment

Equipment required in a car:

	Warning Triangle
	First Aid Kit
	Fire Extinguisher
	Reflective Vest

Drivers must not use a warning triangle on the motorway.

Winter Tires, Studded Tires, Chains

	Winter tires are not mandatory. It is recommended to use winter tires when traveling to Scotland.
	Use of tire chains is allowed with summer tires only if the road is completely covered with snow or ice.
	Use of studded tires is allowed only if they do not damage the road surface. However, this is unlikely to be necessary.