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There are a number of driving offences that can result in endorsements, or ‘points’, ending up on your driver’s licence – a stricter deterrent than the variety of fines that are regularly handed out.
The severity of these points ranges from 3 to 11, with several different categories of offence, including ‘accident offences’, ‘careless driving’, ‘disqualified driver’, ‘drink or drugs’ and many more. Each category brings with it different levels of penalty, with more serious offences remaining on your record for longer than minor ones – with a 4-year minimum.
Having points on your licence can have an adverse effect on a number of things, from applying for a job that requires regular vehicle use to affecting your insurance rates. Car hire is another area where having licence endorsements can become an issue.
In general, most car rental companies will allow up to 6 points on a licence when hiring a vehicle – although this is merely an industry-wide average, and some will accept none at all. However, it is not as straightforward as just meeting this criterion; there are other factors that will ultimately impact on the decision:
As previously mentioned, different driving offences carry different penalties, and the endorsement codes that detail your transgression will be taken into account by the car hire company. For example, a DR10 (driving or attempting to drive above the legal alcohol limit) can mean anywhere between 3 and 11 points and will take 11 years to clear. Most car hire businesses will not rent to anyone with this offence for at least 5 years after the date of the incident, whereas they may disregard 3 points for speeding or similarly lesser offence.
Age is a factor in many driving-related situations; from insurance costs to driving abroad. Car hire is no exception – especially where licence points are concerned. Drivers under the age of 25 with an unclean licence will most likely be turned away by rental companies. However, this can again be dependent on the nature of the offence.
Similar to the point above, the amount of time that you’ve held a valid driving licence could come into play, with some car hire companies overlooking less serious licence endorsements if you have a couple of decades of driving experience under your belt.
Although these factors give you an idea of whether or not you will be allowed to hire a vehicle with points on your licence, they are in no way a definitive guide. Each car hire company will have a different policy, and many will assess eligibility on a case by case basis.
UK Car and Van Rental have a range of high-quality vehicle hire options available to suit all budgets. With cars from industry-leading manufacturers for rent, including the recently added Mercedes E Class Coupe, Mercedes CLS and Mercedes S Class vehicles, you’re sure to find the right hire deal for your needs.
For more information, or for advice on whether your licence meets requirements for a hire with us, get in touch with UK Car and Van Rental today.
UK Car and Van Rental offers car, van and minibus hire from all London airports.
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