Driving in Scotland for Americans: Your Complete Guide

We know that many Americans have questions about driving in Scotland – and rightly so. It’s completely natural to wonder about the practicalities when you’re planning such an exciting trip. The good news is that exploring Scotland by car is not only simple but incredibly rewarding, opening up stunning landscapes, charming villages, and rugged coastlines that you simply can’t reach any other way.

At Absolute Escapes, we offer self-drive tours that give you the freedom to create a holiday tailored to your must-see locations. Whether this is your first time driving in Scotland or you’re looking for a refresher for your next Scottish road trip, we’re here to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident behind the wheel.

 

Can you drive in Scotland with a US license?

This is probably the most common question we receive from Americans, and we’re delighted to tell you that the answer is absolutely yes. As long as you have a valid US driving licence, you’re perfectly entitled to drive in Scotland (and anywhere else in the UK, for that matter).

If you’re visiting as a tourist, you can drive on your US licence for up to 12 months without needing an international driving permit – plenty of time to explore everything Scotland has to offer. It really is as simple as making sure you have what you need to collect your rental car, and the requirements are refreshingly straightforward.

 

Hiring a car in Scotland

What do I need?

When collecting your car hire, you will need to present:

• A physical copy of your driving licence with a photocard
• A valid passport
• A credit card in the name of the main driver
• Your car hire voucher (if booking your trip through Absolute Escapes, this will be included as part of your comprehensive information pack)

As each car hire company has slightly different requirements, it is really important that you take the time to read your car hire voucher in full. This will let you know if there is anything else that you need to bring.

Age Restrictions

Car hire companies do have some restrictions on what age you have to be to drive in Scotland. Most companies do not have a maximum age limit, whereas there is often a minimum age limit.

Additional drivers

If you are lucky enough to be enjoying a longer trip around Scotland, or are feeling a bit nervous about driving abroad, it can be a great idea to add an additional driver to your car hire. Just make sure that the additional driver is also carrying their valid driving licence and passport.

 

Choosing the right car

Your Scottish road trip will include a fair amount of time spent in the car as you drive between destinations, taking in all the sightseeing opportunities along the way. Therefore, it is so important to make sure that you are happy with the size, style and transmission of your car before hitting the road. So, how do you choose the right car?

Size

Car hire options vary from economy-sized to full-size. When picking the right size for you, you will want to consider not only how many people are travelling, but also how much luggage you will have. For example, whilst an economy car might suit two people on a shorter road trip, if you are looking to put two suitcases in the boot, then a compact car will likely be a better fit.

Style

Most vehicle sizes will have the option to choose an SUV-style vehicle. Depending on where you are looking to drive, this can be an excellent choice. For example, if you are going to explore the North Coast 500 or venture through the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, an SUV can offer a smoother ride on some of the smaller, rural roads.

Transmission

Here, it is important to choose whichever you are most comfortable with. If you normally drive an automatic car, you are likely going to enjoy your holiday more if your rental vehicle is also an automatic.

If you have any questions about selecting the right hire car for your holiday, our travel specialists will be happy to help.

 

What you need to know about driving in Scotland

Understanding the local driving laws and highway code will help keep you and other road users safe, and frankly, it’ll make your holiday much more enjoyable when you feel confident on the roads.

We’ve covered the key points you need to know below, but if you’d like more detailed information, Road Safety Scotland has excellent resources covering everything from road signs to roundabouts.

 

Is it easy to drive in Scotland?

The main difference you’ll notice when driving in Scotland is that we drive on the left-hand side of the road – quite different from back home in America. We won’t lie, it can feel a bit strange at first, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you adapt. Most airports have helpful signs reminding you to keep left, and within a few miles, most people find it feels much more natural.

Is it easy to drive in Scotland once you’ve made that adjustment? We’d say absolutely. The roads are well-maintained, signage is clear, and Scottish drivers are generally courteous and patient – especially when they spot rental cars navigating those first few left-hand turns.

Speed Limits

The first key thing to remember here is that, in Scotland, the speed limit is measured in miles per hour (mph). Through towns and cities, most roads will be clearly signposted as either 20mph or 30mph. Outside of these areas, you might be faced with our national speed limit sign. If you are on a single carriageway, this means a limit of 60mph, whereas on a dual carriageway or motorway, the limit would be 70mph.

Of course, these are only guidelines, so make sure that you are keeping an eye out for road signs informing you of the local speed limit. If you are ever unsure, it is better to drive a little bit slower until you see a sign confirming the speed limit.

Single-Track Roads and Passing Places

In some of the more remote areas around Scotland, you are likely to be faced with single-track roads. These are two-way roads that are only wide enough to fit one car. This means that, if you are met by another road user, one of you will have to pull into a passing place (these are small bays at the side of the road) so that the other vehicle can get past.

If you come across another vehicle approaching, you should stop in a passing place on your left to allow approaching traffic to pass. Be prepared to give way to traffic coming uphill. Do not hold up traffic behind you – frustration can cause accidents and it is courteous to pull into a passing place to let them past. It’s important to know that if a passing place is on your right, you should wait opposite to allow traffic to pass via the passing place. You must stay on the left and do not cross to a passing place on your right.

 

Is it safe to drive in Scotland?

We completely understand why this question comes up – after all, you’re planning a holiday in an unfamiliar country with different driving customs. The reassuring answer is that it’s absolutely safe to drive in Scotland.

Scotland has excellent road infrastructure, clear signage, and we’re proud of our generally courteous driving culture. The key to feeling confident is simply taking your time to adjust to driving on the left and being aware that some of our rural roads can be narrower than you might be used to back home. Thousands of American visitors drive safely around Scotland every year, and with a bit of preparation, you’ll be one of them.

 

Top Tips for Exploring Scotland by car

To ensure that you have all the information that you need to have a wonderful road trip around Scotland, we have put together some top tips for your next holiday. Whether you are enjoying some city hopping or Scotland’s rural roads, these tips will ensure that you get your road trip off to the right start.

 

Parking in Scotland

Another important consideration on a road trip is where to park – both at your accommodation and while out exploring. All of the places we include in your package are carefully hand-picked, and while not every property offers on-site parking, we’ll always ensure there’s a convenient option nearby.

When you are out sightseeing, you will find that most attractions have parking available – this may be a private car park, or parking spaces at the side of the road. Depending on how popular the attraction is, you might have a short wait for a space, so this is something to consider in your planning.

Top Tip: When visiting a top tourist attraction, for example, the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, we recommend starting your day a little earlier. By enjoying an early breakfast and hitting the road, you’ll often find that you arrive at an attraction before the crowds. This means that you have a better chance of getting a parking spot straight away, making the most of your time in Scotland.

 

Petrol stations – where to fill up?

Our final tip is about petrol (gas) stations in Scotland. If you are driving between Scottish towns and cities, or making your way down the M8 (or any Scottish motorway), there will be plenty of petrol stations to choose from.

You may need to plan a little more carefully when driving through the Highlands, the islands, or Scotland’s more remote areas. In these regions, petrol stations can be few and far between, so it’s important to make sure you have enough fuel to reach your next stop.

Top Tip: If you have a long day on the road planned or are heading into a more remote location, be sure to check where you can fill up your car. A quick search before starting your day will allow you to drive with confidence, taking in the beautiful surroundings instead of worrying about how many miles you have left in the tank.

 

Driving in the city

Driving is often the best way to explore the Scottish countryside, giving you the freedom to reach remote places that buses can’t. But when it comes to Scotland’s cities, many people wonder if they need a car. In most cases, we recommend leaving it behind. Cities are easy to explore on foot, by public transport, or on a guided sightseeing tour – all without the stress of navigating traffic or parking.

Top Tip: If you are starting your holiday in Glasgow or Edinburgh, why not enjoy a few nights there before collecting your car hire? By picking up your hire car on the way to your next destination, you can avoid difficulties parking in the city centre and help to keep your car hire costs down.

 

Ready to plan your Scottish road trip?

With so many beautiful places to explore, you might be wondering how to decide where to drive on your Scottish adventure. That’s exactly where our travel specialists come in. With genuine passion for exploring Scotland and years of experience, we’re here to make sure your bespoke itinerary captures the very best of what our country has to offer.

Driving in Scotland opens up incredible opportunities to discover remote highlands, charming villages, and stunning coastlines that you simply can’t reach by public transport. Our self-drive itineraries provide inspiration for your holiday planning, but they’re just the starting point. Once you’ve shared your travel dreams and must-see sights with us, we’ll create a package that’s tailored perfectly to your preferences.

If you’re passionate about iconic road trips, we’d love for you to explore our travel blog, where we share our top recommendations for driving routes around Scotland and the wider British Isles.

And if you’re still feeling uncertain about driving in Scotland, perhaps one of our Train Holidays might be the perfect way to experience your first Scottish adventure. You’ll see some incredible sights while travelling comfortably by public transport.

Ella Gordon