Expat Car Leasing & Rental United Kingdom

Relocation support for all your mobility needs!

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Get a car without a U.K. credit history or driver's license

As a foreign professional (expatriate) you can arrange for your car before or after you move to England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Together with our U.K. sister company we can arrange lease, finance, insurance, registration and road tax and have you “on the road” within 48 hours of your arrival. A destination service moving to or living in the UK.

Flexible expat car rental from 1 day to 24 months and financing/leasing from 24 months and up!

We offer a fully flexible car service, with a wide choice of cars available at short notice. All tailored to your employment contract term.

Personal Car Shopper Service

We will search for your vehicle according to your wishes, needs and budget (new or used). We will locate and negotiate pricing on your behalf.

4 Step Solution

1. Supply your car
2. Provide finance
3. Provide insurance
4. Deliver vehicle to your door

List of brands available below.

Expat Financing or Leasing?

We offer leasing and purchase financing options at 4.00% to 6.00% flat interest rate per annum for qualifying customers.

Expat Auto insurance

Get competitively priced insurance. No U.K. driver’s license needed to set up coverage.

Car Rentals for Foreign Professionals

Rentals are from 1 day up to 12 months. The rental car program covers 100 countries globally. Click here to book…

Our U.K. Experience

We have many years’ experience in the motor industry. We are a leading specialists in expatriate vehicle contract hire, leasing solutions and financing.

Whether it is for business or personal use, we can find the ideal specification and terms to suit your needs.

Financial Terms and Conditions

Down payment may be required on all agreements, subject to credit review.

Payment due at delivery consists of:

  • Deposit due with order
  • Down Payment, usually 10% of the vehicle cost
  • 3 monthly payments for lease rental agreements
  • £399 order processing fee

How to Apply and Documents

The following are required to apply:

  • Residency card
  • Copy of passport
  • Copy of valid driver’s license
  • Copy of tenancy agreement
  • U.K. bank account details
  • Copy of contract with U.K. office

We can assist you in all of the United Kingdom

We cover all of the United Kingdom from London in the South East, to Aberdeen in Scotland and Swansea in Wales, Northern Ireland, we can arrange delivery to your home or place of work to suit.

No matter what county or country in the U.K. you are relocating to, contact us for your car needs:

All major cities and all smaller cities, we’ll be there for you: London, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Bradford, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol, Kirklees, Fife, Wirral, North Lanarkshire, Wakefield, Cardiff, Dudley, Wigan, East Riding, South Lanarkshire, Coventry, Belfast, Leicester, Sunderland, Sandwell, Doncaster, and the list goes on…

 

What it Takes and Costs to Lease a Car in The United Kingdom

As an international professional (expatriate) you can discuss your car requirements before you move to the UK or once you have arrived. We can arrange lease or finance, registration and road tax and even assist with insurance, often getting you “on the road” within 48 hours of your arrival.

Complete contact form below to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What documents are needed to start the leasing process?

    The following documents are needed:
    Residency card (front and rear)
    Copy of passport with photo
    Copy of valid driver’s license
    Copy of tenancy agreement
    Details of U.K. bank account
    Detailed copy of contract with U.K. office

  • What is the delivery time?

    Used car in stock generally delivers within 7 days. New car order will take 3-9 months depending on manufacturer and model

  • Is insurance included in the rates?

    No, insurance is obtained separately. We can recommend insurance providers for you to use.

  • How much is the down payment?

    The down payment is usually 10% of the value of the vehicle

  • What is the length of term available?

    The available lease terms are 24-48 months, and financing from 24 months and up

  • What is Personal Car shopper service?

    We search for your vehicle according to your wishes, needs and budget (new or used). Your Personal Car Shopper will locate and negotiate pricing on your behalf with a dealer close to your location. In most cases, your Personal Car Shopper can get better pricing because of arrangements made with vehicle manufacture, dealerships, and financing companies.

  • How are the monthly car payments made?

    The monthly car payments are made by direct payments from your UK bank account.

  • How much will the car insurance cost per year?

    It depends on the location and vehicle type, but approximately£500-£600 per year in Surrey area and £800-£900 per year in London.

  • What happens if there is damage to my car?

    When possible, we take care of all servicing and repair work and supply a “loaner” free of charge. Payment for this service can be by cheque or card once we return your car.

  • What happens if I need to end my lease early?

    We will buy the car outright or sell it for you. We offer this service even if you didn't lease the car though our program.

  • Is ExpatRide specialized in only supporting expatriates, or is it available for short-term and domestic needs?

    ExpatRide’s primary focus is on workforce mobility services. It includes all employees’ transportation needs, be it short-term international assignments or long-term and permanent moves. We can assist employees moving domestically and internationally.

  • How can ExpatRide support our corporate relocation service needs?

    We work with you to establish a global mobility program for all aspects of car transportation. Aligning customary transportation across continents, budgets, allowances, self-pay, approved vehicles, individually tailored solutions, and centralized direct billing arrangement across all services.

    If you with a Relocation Management Company. We can support and implement the plan mentioned above together with the RMC, including coordinating expense management for your employees, thus utilizing the relocation support services infrastructure already provided to you by the RMC. We work with all the major RMCs and Destination Services Providers.

    Please see more information on our “Corporate page”

  • Is ExpatRide specialized in only supporting expatriates, or is it available for short-term and domestic needs?

    ExpatRide’s primary focus is on workforce mobility services. It includes all employees’ transportation needs, be it short-term international assignments or long-term and permanent moves. We can assist employees moving domestically and internationally.

Practical Information on Driving in the UK

Speed Limits

Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
Double carriageways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
Single carriageways: 60 mph (96 km/h)
Built-up area: 30 mph (48 km/h) in areas with street lighting

Kids in Cars

Children must normally use a child car seat until they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Children over 12 or more than 135 cm tall must wear a seat belt. You can choose a child car seat based on your child’s height or weight.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for driving a car is 17. You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Documentation

The following documents are needed when you drive a car in the UK: your passport or ID card, your vehicle’s documents, a valid driver’s license, a European Accident Statement, accident and breakdown cover, Motor insurance certificate, Green Insurance Card.

Alcohol and Driving

Don’t do it! In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the alcohol limit for drivers is 0.80 mg/ml of blood.

Auto Insurance

You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads. Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.

Phone and Driving

You can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving. You’ll also lose your licence if you passed your driving test in the last 2 years. You can get 3 penalty points if you don’t have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle.

Seat Belts

You can be fined up to £500 if you don’t wear a seat belt while driving.
You can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 isn’t in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt while you’re driving.

Driver's License


Driving in the United Kingdom with a Foreign Driver’s License

Expats may use their foreign driver’s license for three years after arrival in the UK. Foreigners using their existing driver’s license can do so for a three-year period after their arrival. However, after three years you need to exchange your license to a UK driver’s license.



How to Exchange Your Foreign Driver’s License to a UK Driver’s License

To exchange your license, you must have a permanent address in Britain and have lived there at least 185 days of the last year.
Please check the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for the most recent information.
the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)



Preparation before driving in the UK

Perhaps the most obvious difference when it comes to driving in the UK is that people drive on the left side of the road. Driving laws include only passing cars on the right and observing road marks indicating where you’re forbidden to pass other cars. Before driving in the UK, it is a good idea to read the UK Highway code at
the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Note: Information may not be up to date. Please check official government information for latest laws and regulations.

"Great service, I have already recommended you guys to two of my colleagues"

- Jason from the U.S., Kia Sorento

"I highly recommend ExpatRide for anybody looking for a car after making the big move!"

– Andreas from Denmark, Audi A4

”The service we received was amazing! Out of everything we've had to do with our move overseas, getting our new car was the easiest and most stress-free."

We finance all makes and models across the nations

We offer the following car brands and any other car brand available in the U.K.

Client References in the U.K.

The management of ExpatRide in the U.K. have been in the car supply business for over 30 years and during that time we have built up very many excellent customer relationships.

Amongst our many customers are employees of, Citibank, Citigroup, Lilly, American Airlines, BOC Group, Procter & Gamble, (even the American and Australian Embassies!), Glaxo Smith Klein, Boeing and U.B.S.

We are here to assist!

    • Start process before or after arrival to the U.K.
    • Build U.K. credit score
    • We can deliver any make and model
    • Personal Car Shopper Service (free service) - saves time and hassle with visiting dealers
    • Competitive interest rate