The United Kingdom has an extensive and well-maintained road network, whether you want to use the motorways to quickly get from A to B, or take the quieter roads for a scenic drive.

The main difference, of course, is that you will be driving on the left-hand side of the road, with the steering wheel on the right. That means you overtake on the right.

Speed limits are clearly marked. Generally it’s 30mph in built-up and urban areas, 60mph on single-lane roads outside of built-up areas and 70mph on two-lane roads (known as dual carriageways) and motorways.

Some areas with schools and tight corners will have 20mph limits. Limits are strictly enforced in the UK, and the use of speed cameras is common. Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers, and the use of cell phones while driving is also prohibited. The AA has a useful guide to driving laws in the UK here.

The motorway network is the quickest way to get around the UK, with the M1 – dubbed the “gateway to the North” – stretching from London through the Midlands and on up to Leeds in Yorkshire. The M4 stretches west from London taking in Bristol before coming to an end in South Wales.

If heading to Scotland, the M6 runs through the western parts of England from the town of Rugby all the way up to Glasgow, passing through Manchester on the way.

There’s a separate motorway system for Northern Ireland, with its own M1 (this one running from Belfast to Dungannon). However, it’s classified in the same way as the rest of the UK, with “M” roads being the most important, followed by “A” and “B” roads.

Whatever route you take, you’ll find all major destinations and attractions clearly marked.

You’d expect each country in the UK to be somewhat different, but the various regions and counties that make up these islands all have their individual characters too. 

The bustle of London sits in stark contrast to the picturesque villages, dramatic Lake District, snow-capped peaks of Scotland and the stunning valleys of Wales.

Green and pleasant land

It can be hard to get a handle on the real England. Stand in Soho or on Oxford Street in London and you’ll be swept away by the tide of people, by the sense that no-one stands still. But then travel to a village mere miles away and it can feel as if time has stopped in its tracks.

England is a place that loves to charge forward while staying true to its past and its place in the world. The cities outside of London are fiercely proud of their own cultures, from the Liverpool music scene that brought us Beatlemania to the football tribalism of Manchester.

A day at a soccer game is a unique experience, and the best stadiums in the UK – Wembley, St. James’ Park, Old Trafford – are temples of sport, UK-style.

The UK food scene has also come on in leaps and bounds, thanks in no small part to the eclectic mix of people who now call it home. You can start the day with a bagel, sample Michelin-starred French cuisine for lunch and then finish with a fiery curry at night.

Sweeping through Scotland

Scotland is a proud nation that sits at the north of the United Kingdom and boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

The major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh both have their own flavor; a visit that coincides with the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival will reveal the quirky heart of this cobbled city.

Further north lie the Highlands, complete with an awe-inspiring landscape that will let you make the most of your car rental. Whether you want to explore the mystery of Loch Ness or just breathe in the clear air and stunning scenery, there are countless driving routes that will have you pulling over to soak it all in.

The wonders of Wales

Whether your visit takes you to Wales’ capital Cardiff, the gorgeous expanses of Pembrokeshire or the twinkling tides of Colwyn Bay, Wales will send you home with warm memories.

Its seaside towns are friendly and charming, and you can park your car and take to the Wales Coast Path, which stretches some 870 miles.

You’ll also find hundreds of castles here in Wales, from ruins and wrecks to perfectly preserved heritage sites. Snowdonia National Park is well worth a visit, with activities aplenty, but you can also just drive through a natural world of lakes, waterfalls and mountains.

Belfast and beyond

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, and the perfect springboard to explore the rest of the country. The city has reinvented itself in recent years, with lots of development including the popular Titanic Quarter at the former shipyard where the doomed ocean liner was built.

Centered on land in Belfast Harbour, it comprises historic maritime landmarks and the world's largest Titanic-themed attraction. Take some time as well to saunter through the ancient cathedrals and sample the booming restaurant scene.

Beyond Belfast’s boundaries you’ll find idyllic villages, numerous filming locations for the hit TV show Game of Thrones (see if you can check off all 25) and some of the best places to drive in the world. The coastal route that takes in Giant’s Causeway alone is reason enough to visit.

The UK holds countless treasures for visitors to unearth, and car rental in the United Kingdom is your key to unlocking as many as possible during what is sure to be a memorable visit.