Countries › United Kingdom
United Kingdom
At a glance
- Traffic
- on the left
- Currency
- GBP
- Plugs
- types G · 230 V
- Emergency
- 999, 112
Entering the country
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required for Canadians and Americans: apply online before you go (valid 2 years). Visitor stays of up to 6 months.
Driver and insurance
- Your Canadian or US licence is enough for a visitor.
- Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
Speed limits
| Town | Road | Motorway | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car, light RV | 20–30 | 60 | 70 |
| With a trailer or caravan | 20–30 | 50 | 60 |
In mph. Signs always take precedence.
Tolls and vignettes A few tolls
Hardly any tolls. Dartford Crossing (east of London): pay online (Dart Charge) by midnight the next day, no booth. M6 Toll and a few bridges are tolled.
Low-emission zones
London: ULEZ (all of Greater London) and the central Congestion Charge; foreign vehicles must register with TfL or be fined. Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
Boondocking Depends on the region
England and Wales: wild camping banned without the landowner's consent. Scotland: wild camping on foot allowed (Scottish Outdoor Access Code), but not in vehicles by the road; several lochs ban it in season.
Mandatory equipment
- Headlamp beam deflectors (vehicle built for right-hand traffic)
- Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back
Good to know
- Drive on the left. Roundabouts go clockwise, give way to the right (to those already on it).
- When towing, stay out of the right-hand (outer) lane of a motorway with three or more lanes.
- Outside the EU: customs on entry and exit, strict rules on meat and dairy.
Famous routes
Frequently asked questions
- United Kingdom: what do you need to enter the country with your vehicle?
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) required for Canadians and Americans: apply online before you go (valid 2 years). Visitor stays of up to 6 months. Your Canadian or US licence is enough for a visitor. Insurance: your North American policy isn't valid here. You need European insurance for a vehicle registered outside Europe, with its green card.
- United Kingdom: what are the speed limits?
- Car and light RV: 20–30 in town, 60 on rural roads, 70 on motorways (mph). With a trailer or caravan: 50 on rural roads, 60 on motorways.
- United Kingdom: do you need a vignette or pay tolls?
- Hardly any tolls. Dartford Crossing (east of London): pay online (Dart Charge) by midnight the next day, no booth. M6 Toll and a few bridges are tolled.
- United Kingdom: are there low emission zones?
- London: ULEZ (all of Greater London) and the central Congestion Charge; foreign vehicles must register with TfL or be fined. Clean Air Zones in Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Edinburgh and elsewhere.
- United Kingdom: is wild camping allowed?
- Depends on the region. England and Wales: wild camping banned without the landowner's consent. Scotland: wild camping on foot allowed (Scottish Outdoor Access Code), but not in vehicles by the road; several lochs ban it in season.
- United Kingdom: what equipment is required in the vehicle?
- Headlamp beam deflectors (vehicle built for right-hand traffic), Country-of-registration sticker (CDN or USA) on the back.