Car Rental in Birmingham

You need to be between 25 and 65 years old to rent a car with us in Birmingham (or anywhere in the UK). You'll also need a full, permanent driving licence — provisional or temporary licences aren't accepted.

UK residents: You’ll need a full UK driving licence, along with the printed endorsement record or DVLA code for all drivers. You should also bring valid photo ID and two proof-of-address documents, such as utility bills or bank statements.

International travellers: You’ll need a valid driving licence from your home country and a valid passport. If your licence uses a non-Roman alphabet, an International Driving Permit may also be required. You’ll also need a credit or debit card in your name.

Yes, absolutely! We accept both credit and debit cards. The card just needs to be in your name.

Yes, a refundable security deposit is required. It ranges from £500 to £5,000 depending on the car you choose. It's blocked on your credit or debit card before you pick up the car, then released back to you within 30 working days after you return it.

Yes, basic comprehensive insurance is included with your rental, subject to current UK law. For daily and weekly bookings (1–29 days), insurance is automatically included. For monthly bookings, you'll have the option of taking our basic insurance or using your own.

One-way car rentals may be available in Birmingham, depending on the vehicle, rental location and your travel requirements. Availability and any applicable terms or additional charges can vary, so it’s best to check with the rental provider before booking.

Yes, you can modify or cancel your booking through the Selfdrive app or by emailing info@self-drive.uk. Just know that the modification fee is £50 per change (if you want to change dates, car, etc.) and you can return early but no refunds are given for unused days.

A full-to-full fuel policy is applied. Pick up the car with a certain fuel level and return it at the same level. If you return it with less fuel, we'll refuel it for you but there's a 20% admin fee on top of the actual refuelling cost, so it's worth topping up yourself before drop-off!

Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) can apply to rental cars, depending on the vehicle’s emissions standards and the area you drive in. Many newer vehicles are designed to meet current emissions requirements but it’s still important to check the specific rental car before travelling through the zone. Any applicable charges will depend on the vehicle and current CAZ rules.

Speed limits in Birmingham vary depending on the road and location. Many residential and local roads have a 20mph limit while 30mph is common on main urban roads and routes across the city. Some roads may have higher limits, so always follow the speed-limit signs displayed on the road. If you’re driving a rental car in Birmingham, check the signs carefully as speed limits can change between different areas.

Yes, you can add an additional driver! They just need to be registered in the rental contract before they drive the vehicle and they'll need to meet the same requirements as you (age 25-65, full driving licence, etc.).

Once you select a car, our team will show you the exact pickup location in Birmingham — it'll be confirmed in your e-ticket. We also offer doorstep delivery if you'd prefer the car brought to you (minimum £50 delivery fee, depending on location).