Rent a Car London

Renting a Car in London with Hiyacar: how it works

It's very simple to hire a car in London! All you have to do is:

1. Create an account: You'll have to register with us and complete a profile with some information if you’d like to rent a car - this does include a driver's license!

2. Search for a car: Enter London into the search bar, as well as the ideal times for you to pick up and drop off the vehicle. You'll then be able to see all the cars in your local area that are available to share with you. From there, you can also filter these options down by transmission and by vehicle type.

3. Make a booking request: Once you've found the vehicle you're looking for, select it and review the associated costs. With that you make your payment at the checkout and wait to hear from the vehicle's owner who'll give you confirmation.

4. Pick up your car from a neighbour in London: With the booking confirmed, simply meet the owner at the address, confirm the car's condition, mileage and fuel, then you are ready to drive away!

Driving around London

London is a huge city. To cater for the millions of people living there, it has developed an extensive road system over hundreds of years. Once you’ve signed up to Hiyacar and are behind the wheel, you’ll be able to get out there and start exploring!

The M25 is the ring road that surrounds the majority of the city and sprawling urban area. The only break in the circle is when the road crosses the Thames at the Dartford Crossing. If you’re driving over that, be careful because you have to pay a toll if it’s between the hours of 6am to 10pm. This can be done online, where you set up an account and make a payment there.

Over the 120 miles that make up the M25, you’ll be able to access the wider network of roads that will take you anywhere in the country. From the M4 that goes west, past Bath, Bristol and Cardiff, extending along South Wales, to the M20 that goes south east towards Dover, where you can catch a ferry into France, or the M1 that leads north west all the way up to Leeds.

If the traffic is particularly busy in central London and you’re trying to get to the other side of town, people often opt to take the M25. This is a longer route, but sometimes, because traffic flows more freely, it’s an easier drive. Alternatively, there are the north and south circular roads, but these can also get slowed by heavy traffic, particularly around rush hour. These A roads connect areas between Woolwich and Chiswick and help transport drivers to Barking, Wembley and Tottenham, amongst many others.

Here are a few driving tips to remember when driving in London. Firstly, don't forget that there is a congestion charge if you drive into central London. Some of our cars have this built into the pricing and will be specified if so, but it is something to be aware of. The congestion charge area is vaguely defined within the London Inner Ring Road. This also includes the financial district in the City of London, alongside the West End. As of 2019, the ULEZ charge has also been introduced within this area to keep the air cleaner.

Bus lanes are reserved solely for the use of buses and taxis during certain times, so make sure to avoid them during this period — otherwise, you could receive a penalty charge for entering one. The speed limit varies dramatically depending on the type of road and area you’re in. A lot of built-up residential areas are now 20mph, single-carriage motorways are 60mph and dual carriageways 70mph, but pay careful attention to the signs, which will tell you the rules for the area.

Places to discover when you hire a car in London

With over 8 million people influencing its culture and business, London is a huge city and a world leader in so many ways. It has a rich history and a bustling atmosphere that have made a big impact on the world. In terms of business, huge global companies use London as their base, and the start-up scene has created new, vibrant areas to explore. Tourists have a never-ending list of activities to take part in, many of which draw people to the city from all over the Earth.

London Landmarks

The city is full of classic landmarks that people the world over will recognise. There’s Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and the Tower of London, amongst so many others. Wandering around the city will showcase timeless architecture and beautiful buildings dating back hundreds of years. Constantly on the move, though, London’s cityscape is always evolving with modern designs and ambitious projects that juxtapose the century-old structures.

A shopper’s dream

For people who love a bit of retail therapy, London has so much to offer. Almost all the world’s most prolific brands can be found in the shops throughout the city. Harrods is known the world over for its high-end goods and quality products. For the children and toy lovers, there is the infamous Hamleys, seven floors of amazing toys and games that will give a great day out to anyone.

Culture Galore

London has influenced the world over with its unique culture and style. By visiting different areas, you’ll be able to get a completely different view of the city, its inhabitants and the unique neighbourhoods that create the diverse city. From the West End theatre shows that draw crowds from around the world, to the rock and rollers in Camden and the edgy hipsters in East London, there is a place to cater to everyone’s tastes in London.

If you like your nightlife, there are clubs that are unrivalled, and the music scene is frequented by some of the biggest names in the industry. One of the best things about London is the sheer amount of amazing food to try. From high-end Michelin star restaurants to small pop-up shacks, there is an amazing bite out there for everyone.

It is difficult to mention London culture without talking about the vast amounts of museums and galleries the city has to offer. Designed to both entertain and educate, culture enthusiasts could spend a lifetime frequenting all that is on offer. The aptly named Exhibition Road will lead you to three of the best and most famous cultural centres in London.

The first of these is the Natural History Museum, taking you back through time to look at all the different animals that have roamed our planet. Secondly, the Victoria and Albert Museum, or V & A for short, puts the work of some of the world’s top craftsmen on display. It is the world’s leading museum of art and design, with over 2.3 million objects dating back as far as 5000 years. Lastly is the Science Museum, which showcases amazing scientific, technological and medical advancements from across the globe.

A City of Sport

London has always been a pioneer for sports, but in 2012, when it hosted the Olympics, sporting culture absolutely skyrocketed. The infrastructure left behind from the games means London has elite-level sporting centres, openly available for the public to use. The Olympic pool in Stratford, as well as the velodrome, are just two examples of this.

Football has always been at the heart of the city, with several Premier League and Championship clubs competing within London. This is also the home of English football, Wembley Stadium. If you want to watch some cricket, there are also The Oval and Lord's cricket grounds. Alongside all these, if you like a bit of tennis, then the most prestigious competition, Wimbledon, takes place in London every year.

Rent a Car in London’s regions

If you want to rent a car in London’s specific regions, then take a look below, or use the search bar above.

• Central London
• North London
• East London
• South London
• South East London
• West London

Rent a Car London FAQs

How does dropping off a car work?

With the hiyacar app it’s very simple. Take photos of the exterior of the car with the app, making sure to note any damage if there is any and also record the fuel level. For more information, visit our help centre.

Who handles the insurance?

We have an insurance policy that will supersede the car Owners policy for the time of hire.

What’s the minimum age to rent a car in London?

You must be 23 to use our platform, with a clean license and 2 or more years of driving experience.

Do I need to pay the London congestion charge?

If you will be driving within the congestion charge zone, then you will need to pay the congestion charge fee of £15 if paid in advance or on the same day, rising to £17.50 if paid within 3 days. When you hire a car with us, it’s best to check on the listing whether the vehicle is listed for TFL autopay. In this case, you will not need to make the payment yourself; however, you are still liable for the cost.

What is the Dart Charge?

The Dart Charge is a toll applied for using the Dartford Crossing, which is currently £2.50 for cars and £3 for vans, per usage. If you plan on using the Dartford crossing, it’s best to check with the car owner whether the car is registered for Dart Charge autopay. In this case, you will be billed for your crossing after you’ve completed your rental. If not, then you will need to pay the charge by midnight the day after you cross to avoid a penalty charge.