Driving in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a beautiful city and is a great place to explore by car, especially for those attractions which are outside the city centre.

At Edinburgh Rental Car we've put together an Edinburgh driving guide to help you navigate around Scotland's capital city with ease, keep you out of trouble and respect local driving customs in Edinburgh.



Drive on the left!
In Edinburgh, like the rest of the UK, motorists must drive on the left hand side of the road and the steering wheel of vehicles is located on the right hand side. This may not be an issue for visitors from the UK and some other countries but for Americans and Europeans this can prove difficult. For your own safety it is vital that you use extreme caution at junctions and remember to turn left into roundabouts until you become used to driving on the left.

Obey Edinburgh's speed limits
Unless you want to be fined or have penalty points placed on your driving licence it's very important that you obey the local speed limits of Edinburgh. In general the speed limit in Edinburgh is 30mph (miles per hour), in some areas however the speed limit can be lowered to 20mph or raised to 40mph to suit the area and the type of road. Speed limits are shown in white circular signs with a red border. Outside the city most roads have a 60mph speed limit with motorways allowing for 70mph. Be aware that the Scottish police operate unmarked patrol cars, laser speed guns and fixed speed cameras to catch speeding motorists.

Always wear your seatbelt
In the UK it is the law to wear your seatbelt at all times whilst driving. If you are caught without a seatbelt by the police you may be fined or have penalty points put on your licence.

Don't use your mobile phone whilst driving
One of the most recent motoring laws introduced in the UK is a ban on the use of mobile phones whilst driving. The law states that you cannot hold a mobile phone whilst in control of a car. If you really must use a mobile whilst in the car you can either use it with a hands free kit or pull over in a safe place to answer the call. The police are very strict about this and have the power to issue fines and penalty points if they catch you.

Don't drink and drive
Although the law in Edinburgh allows for a small amount of alcohol to be consumed if you're driving, we recommend that if you're drinking you shouldn't take the car with you. The legal blood alcohol limit in the UK is currently 80mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Drink driving is a serious offence in the UK and could result in a prison sentence should you cause an accident whilst under the influence of alcohol whilst driving.

Watch out for cyclists
Cycling is a popular way to get around Edinburgh so look out for cyclists whilst you're driving. Many main roads in the city have designated cycle lanes which are usually red in colour and marked with pictures of cyclists.

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