September 17, 2024

Driving in Scotland in Winter: A Comprehensive Guide

If you live domestically in the UK, Scotland makes for a getaway as simple as it is worthwhile. Even if you live locally, there’s still a whole country’s worth of sights to travel, even beyond the main cities; the highlands are called so for a reason. The wintertime (no matter how scenic) may also cause a number of issues if not adequately prepped for. Which is why if you’re planning on driving in Scotland in winter, it’s always best to remain vigilant.

But the season shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying a trip. And this guide should be extensive enough to cover all the relevant areas and get you out on the road as fast as possible. In fact, the best way to prepare would be with our ultimate winter car hire guide.

What you’ll need

Conveniently, the absolute basics for driving through Scotland all you’ll need is a valid driver’s licence and the appropriate registration / identification. Even if you’re visiting as a tourist the requirements remain the same.

The universal standard of insurance is obviously a necessity as well, though with our car hire in Scotland, there is no concern for you in that regard.

These requirements also apply to the rest of the UK, giving you full flexibility in where to go and what to do. Despite the fact that you are able to drive in Scotland doesn’t mean you should jump right into it if you’re unfamiliar with the UK and the Scottish terrain (especially when driving in Scotland in winter); confusion is inevitable. As such there are some worthwhile clarifications:

• Drive on the left side of the road
• Signs may vary between the UK
• Speed is in Miles
• Many winding and narrow roads

If you are planning to travel between the UK or are unsure on the clarification of which laws apply where a worthwhile check up on the basics such as signs can easily resolve any misinterpretations. Aside from that the road laws are ostensibly simple.

It can get complicated during harsher conditions such as in Winter, where more precautions become necessary to ensure no chance of any emergency. Some basic things to keep on hand that will cover some of the more common snow-related challenges include:

• Jumper cables
• Snow shovel
• Flashlight
• First aid kit

Although some of those may not seem necessary, being prepared to simply shovel snow can prevent the worst!

Which car for you

As with most snowy environments, a 4×4 car hire can prove sufficient enough in navigating any dense snow. As long as you’re following the roads there and avoiding narrow pathways, when possible, a 4×4 should be entirely capable of navigating through the snow and ice.

Since Scotland doesn’t have any laws requiring or forbidding winter tyres, depending on the weather, they may be something to consider if there is particularly bad snowfall.

Staying safe when driving in Scotland in winter

Once you’re well acquainted with what you need to know and have all the necessary supplies, most of the hard work is done; the rest is common sense. Keeping the conditions of both the weather and the road in mind will undoubtedly prove to be safer for you and any other drivers.

• Maintain visibility in foggy weather.
• When travelling through narrower paths or around hills, keep a steady pace.
• Some signs may have different symbols.
• Icy roads may require considerable caution.

In unconventional areas like the highlands in winter, there are more factors to be aware of. These however shouldn’t be too great of an issue and simple precautionary measures should be more than enough to still make the most of your travel.

Starting your trip

Between Scotland and the larger Great Britain area, there are plenty of opportunities to travel and whilst some may be tempted with domestic plane travel, though recent changes in flights may dissuade you. More domestic travellers are opting to visit via car as a means to experience more of what they would otherwise miss.

If you do opt into travelling through many of our services may be able to support, you as we have other satisfied customers with our:

• Scotland car hire
• Car hire near Glasgow Airport

And for any other rental need, we also provide:

• Debit Card Car Hire
• Low Deposit Car Hire
• Young Driver Car Hire
• Senior Driver Car Hire

And why not explore our other blogs on all things Scotland and winter car hire in general:

• UK Winter Road Trips: Unforgettable Hidden Gems in Scotland and Beyond
• Top 10 Public Golf Courses In Scotland
• UK Winter Road Trips: Unforgettable Hidden Gems in Scotland and Beyond

For any questions on what you are eligible for or even any questions about what we can do to specifically help you – feel free to contact us or send us an email at [email protected] and call us at +44 (0)113 880 0748.