Driving in Glasgow – Our Top Tips

If you’re heading to Glasgow and plan on hiring a car, there are a few things you’ll need to know, especially if you’re not familiar with the city. We’ve put together a few driving tips to help you navigate the streets of Glasgow.

First of all, a detailed map always comes in very handy.

A good Satellite Navigation system or GPS system is also advisable, this will help you navigate and get from A to B with ease. 

You should have a valid driving licence with you at all times – this is a requirement in the UK and you may be required to present it at local check points etc.

The speed limit in Glasgow city is 30mph – however on some roads you can drive at 40mph. On main roads (outside the built up areas) the speed limit is 60mph, and it increases to 70mph on the motorways.

At roundabouts always give way to traffic coming from the right.

You must have a good knowledge of all other rules of the road as well. Be sure to familiarise yourself with any local restrictions and rules that are in the United Kingdom. These can sometimes be very different to what you’re used to when driving in your home country. Also in the UK you drive on the left hand side of the road and all road signage must be obeyed. Look out for different road markings and signs, parking zones and speed limits.

For further details on the rules of the road in the United Kingdom please check out the Highway Code.

If you’re travelling to Glasgow from the south (England) you’ll be driving on the “M” roads – remember to use the M6 Toll. This will avoid one of the main gridlocks of the UK road system, but there will be others, depending upon road works! The following website: The AA (Automobile Association), is very useful and includes a handy route planner, which will help guide you through the maze of roads and will usually avoid major road works that are causing delays.

If you haven’t hired a car yet, our advice is to do so well in advance. Also make sure you know what your car rental includes, what insurance and additional insurance are you entitled to etc. When collecting your car make sure there’s no existing damage and that additional requests have all been included.

All that’s left to do now is to hire that car! Why not check out our car hire Glasgow page?

Have you any travel experience in Glasgow you would like to share with us? Please feel free to leave a comment in the comment box below.  Thank you.