Driving abroad
Driving in the United Kingdom means driving on the left, with a drink drive limit of 0.08 percent in england, wales and northern ireland, 0.05 percent in scotland and motorway speeds of 70 mph. Everything below is the practical version, the things that actually cost visitors money or time.
Single track roads in Scotland and Wales have passing places. They are for passing and letting people by, not for parking or photographs.
Once the paperwork is sorted, this is what you came for. Bealach na Ba, Hardknott Pass, Applecross Coast Road are among the highest scoring roads we hold in the United Kingdom, and all of them are open to any road legal car.
Motorway limit
70 mph
Outside towns
60 mph on single carriageways, 70 on dual
Built up areas
30 mph in England and Northern Ireland, 20 mph as default in Wales
Drink drive limit
0.08 percent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 0.05 percent in Scotland
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. A planning summary, not legal advice. Check the national road authority before you travel. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 7 April 2026
The detail
Very few. The M6 Toll, several estuary crossings and the Dartford Crossing, which is pay by plate.
No tyre law, though the Highlands and the Pennines make a strong case for winter rubber.
London runs the ULEZ and the congestion charge, and Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and others operate clean air zones.
Visitors may drive on a licence from their home country for up to twelve months.
Nothing is legally required, but a warning triangle is sensible
999 or 112
Now the good part
Applecross, Scottish Highlands
Britain's highest road climbs via hairpins to a wild moonscape pass above Applecross.
Lake District, England
England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.
Wester Ross, Scotland
A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.
Glen Coe, Scottish Highlands
A sweeping run through Rannoch Moor beneath the brooding Buachaille Etive Mor.
Brecon Beacons, Wales
A ribbon of hairpins climbing a bare Welsh moorland made famous by Top Gear.
Sutherland, Scotland
A remote NC500 highlight of sea lochs, switchbacks and empty moorland roads.
Common questions
Motorways 70 mph, main roads outside towns 60 mph on single carriageways, 70 on dual, and built up areas 30 mph in england and northern ireland, 20 mph as default in wales. Lower limits are posted and always take priority.
Very few. The M6 Toll, several estuary crossings and the Dartford Crossing, which is pay by plate.
0.08 percent in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 0.05 percent in Scotland. Roadside testing is routine and the safest approach on a driving tour is nothing at all before you drive.
No tyre law, though the Highlands and the Pennines make a strong case for winter rubber.
Nothing is legally required, but a warning triangle is sensible. Emergency number is 999 or 112.
Visitors may drive on a licence from their home country for up to twelve months.