For expats & new arrivals

Car hire when you are new to the UK

Yes — if you have recently moved to the UK and have no UK credit history, you can often still hire a car. Short-term rental relies on ID and affordability rather than a domestic credit file, which is exactly what newcomers lack at first. Getting a quote involves no credit check.

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Updated August 2026

Arriving in the UK, you face a chicken-and-egg problem: you need a car to settle in, but you have no UK credit history yet, and finance lenders cannot score you. Short-term hire breaks that loop, because it does not depend on a credit record you have not had time to build.

No UK credit file? That is normal at first

A clean overseas history simply does not show up on UK credit checks, so finance scoring treats you as a blank — and usually declines. Hire is different: with valid ID, a driving licence the partner accepts, and evidence the monthly is affordable, newcomers can frequently be matched.

Which licence can I drive on?

Whether you can drive on your existing licence or need a UK one depends on where you are from and how long you have been here. Tell us your situation in the enquiry — we will match you to a partner whose policy fits, and they confirm the licence requirements before anything is agreed.

Facts & figures

The bigger picture

13.1m

UK adults — about 1 in 4 — had low financial resilience in 2024 (low savings, struggling with bills, or already in difficulty).

Source: FCA Financial Lives 2024, 2024

42.9m

Full driving licences are held in Great Britain — yet millions can’t access traditional car finance because of thin or impaired credit.

Source: DVLA / GOV.UK, 2025

£41bn+

Record value of UK consumer car finance written in 2025 — but approval still depends on your credit profile.

Source: Finance & Leasing Association, 2025

Check your options in 60 seconds

No credit check to get a quote, and no obligation. Tell us what you need and we’ll match you to the right partner.

✓ No credit check to quote
✓ Free & no obligation
✓ Flexible 1–36 months

Get your quote — free, no credit check

Car & van rental & hire, from 1 month. Tap to start.

Any model in mind? (optional)

Can you get any make or model?

Listings show what we can look to source, not live stock. As an introducer we can’t guarantee a particular make, model, specification, term or start date will be available when you apply, and some vehicles are pre-order or reservation only. Nothing is reserved for you until a partner confirms it. If we can’t get the exact vehicle you’ve asked for, we’ll say so and find you the closest alternative we can.

Common questions

I just moved here and have no UK credit — can I hire?

Often yes. Hire relies on ID and affordability, not a UK credit history, so being new to the country is far less of a barrier than with finance.

Can I drive on my foreign licence?

It depends on your country and how long you have been in the UK. The supplying partner confirms which licences they accept.

Will applying hurt a credit score I am trying to build?

No. Getting a quote involves no credit search, so it will not affect any UK credit file you are starting to build.

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