If you hold a full, valid driving licence from Canada, you can hire a car in the UK without applying for an International Driving Permit, provided your licence is printed in English and carries a photograph.
We will cover what Canadian tourists and Canadian expats need to know before they rent a car in the UK, from documents and age limits to renting manual cars.
Can I Rent a Car in the UK With a Canadian Licence?
Yes. Fairview Vehicle Hire accepts full Canadian driving licences for car rentals in the UK, provided the licence is valid, printed in English and includes a photograph of the holder. No International Driving Permit is required to book with us.
To be eligible, you’ll need to:
- Hold a full Canadian licence for at least two years
- Be aged between 23 and 75 (see age limits below)
- Bring your passport if you’re visiting rather than living in the UK.
For the complete breakdown of who can hire with us, read What are the Requirements to Rent a Car?
Do I Need an International Driving Permit With a Canadian Licence?
No. A Canadian driving licence in English with a photo is accepted on its own. The UK government does not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) for Canadian licence holders driving in Great Britain.
An IDP can still be useful as a backup ID, particularly if you’re stopped by police or asked for extra proof of your entitlement to drive. Canadian residents apply through the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), in person, by mail or at a branch. For the full process, including what an IDP shows and how long it lasts, see our article: Do I Need an International Driver’s Permit to Rent a Car in the UK?
What Documents Do I Need to Bring?
Pack these before you travel:
- Your full, valid Canadian driving licence, held for two years or more
- A valid passport, if you’re visiting the UK
- A credit or debit card in the main renter’s name
- Proof of UK address, if you’re an expat already settled here rather than visiting
One difference from UK licence holders: you won’t need to generate a DVLA check code. That system only pulls records for GB-issued licences, so Fairview verifies Canadian licences by checking your original document and passport instead.
See our full list in What Documents Do I Need to Hire a Car?
Can I Rent a Manual Car in the UK With a Canadian Driving Licence?
Yes. A standard Canadian driving licence, Class 5 or your province’s equivalent, doesn’t restrict you to automatic vehicles. Unlike a UK licence earned in an automatic car, which is limited to automatic transmission only, a Canadian car licence carries no such restriction on the card itself.
A few things worth weighing before you book:
- Most Canadians learn to drive on an automatic, so pairing a manual gearbox with right-hand-drive traffic for the first time is a lot to take on at once.
- Automatic cars are requested more often by international visitors and can sell out first during busy periods, so book either transmission ahead of your trip.
- Fairview will always confirm which transmission you’re comfortable driving at the point of booking.
Browse the full car hire range to check our manual and automatic car availability for your dates.
What Age Do I Need to Be to Hire a Car in the UK?
At Fairview vehicle hire, we rent to drivers aged 23 to 75.
- Under 25? A young driver surcharge applies to 23- and 24-year-olds.
- Over 70? Drivers aged 70 to 75 need insurer clearance before booking.
Read more in How Old Do You Have to Be to Hire a Car in the UK?
What Insurance Comes With My Car Rental?
Basic insurance is included in our rental price and covers third-party liability. Depending on the vehicle, this typically includes Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver too, with an excess payable if the car is damaged.
Optional extras include:
- Car hire excess insurance, to reduce what you’d pay out if something goes wrong
- Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
- Personal effects cover for belongings left in the car
Roadside assistance is included for UK breakdowns. If your trip crosses into Europe, you’ll need separate breakdown cover through a provider such as the AA, RAC or Green Flag, arranged before you set off.
Full details are in How Does Car Hire Insurance Work?
Driving Tips for Canadians on UK Roads
If you’re from Canada, then you are used to driving on the right. Since we drive on the left in the UK, here are some driving tips in the UK that are useful to know:
- Roundabouts run clockwise, and traffic already on the roundabout has priority over you.
- Speed limits are posted in miles per hour: 30mph in most built-up areas, 60mph on single carriageways and 70mph on motorways and dual carriageways.
- Driving into central London may mean paying the Congestion Charge or a ULEZ fee, so check your route before you set off.
- Give yourself extra time before joining a motorway. Junctions, lane positioning and roundabouts all feel different with the steering wheel on the other side of the car.
For the complete rundown of speed limits, parking rules and road charges, read UK Driving Rules You Need to Know. Our UK Road Sign Cheat Sheet is worth a look before you get behind the wheel too.
Canadian Expats: How Long Can I Drive on My Canadian Licence?
If you’ve recently moved to the UK, your Canadian licence stays valid for driving here for up to 12 months from the date you arrived. You can hire a car with Fairview during that period using the same documents as a visiting Canadian.
Canada is one of the countries the DVLA has a licence exchange agreement with. Once you’re a UK resident, you can usually exchange your Canadian licence for a GB one without retaking a test, provided you apply within 5 years of becoming resident and your Canadian licence is still valid. After the 12-month mark, you’ll need to have started that exchange or hold a UK provisional licence and be working toward a UK test to keep driving legally.
Check your eligibility and start the process on gov.uk.
Book Your UK Car Hire With Fairview
A Canadian driving licence is enough to get you on UK roads with Fairview Vehicle Hire. No IDP, no extra paperwork beyond your passport and a card.
We have 6 branches in London, including Heathrow, London City Airport, Battersea, Egham and Bray.
Explore our car hire range or get in touch if you have questions about your Canadian licence before you book.