Zipcar is a UK car club that lets you rent cars and vans by the minute, hour or day. In London, you can also use Zipcar Flex for one-way trips and end your journey anywhere inside the Zipzone.
Fuel/charging and basic insurance are included. 60 miles per day are bundled on Roundtrip bookings, then a per-mile fee applies. Coverage is heavily London-centred with smaller footprints in Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge. Flex is London-only.
- Pros: dense London network, one-way Flex, fuel/charging included.
- Cons: limited reach outside the South, late/low-fuel fees, borough-specific parking rules for Flex.
Key Information
| Item | Summary |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | Standard membership has a £15 application fee (credited via plan perks vary), see plans below. |
| Membership plans | Basic (no monthly fee; higher rates), Smart (£6/month), Plus (£15/month). |
| Typical driving rates (from) | Roundtrip: from £6/h (Plus) or £60/day (Plus). Vans: from £10/h. Flex: £0.32/min. Rates vary by plan, vehicle and city—check the app. |
| Mileage / per-mile | 60 miles per day included; then £0.32/mile (Roundtrip & Flex). |
| Fuel / charging | Included; fuel card in vehicle; charging costs covered for EVs. |
| Insurance & excess | Basic cover included. Member damage fee (“excess”) up to £1,000 per incident (£1,500 for higher-risk members). Optional waivers available to reduce/eliminate—see app for pricing. |
| Minimum age / licence | Standard accounts: 25+ with ≥1 year driving. Business accounts may allow 21+ with additional criteria. DVLA check code required at sign-up. |
| Deposit / holds | No deposit required, but payment holds/authorisations can appear and may take 3–5 business days to clear. |
| Cancellation rules | Roundtrip: full refund if cancelled ≥3h before (trips <8h) or ≥24h before (≥8h). Flex: no cancellation fee; 15-minute free hold. |
| Late / low-fuel fees | Late return (Roundtrip): £35 per late hour (cap £105); low fuel: £35 if under ¼ tank at end. Other admin/cleaning/PCN processing fees apply. |
| Congestion/ULEZ/Dart | ULEZ-compliant vehicles; Dart Charge included; Congestion Charge billed at a reduced fee if you enter during charging hours (EV CC exemption ends 25 Dec 2025 per TfL policy). |
| Support & app | Help centre plus 24/7 assistance during trips; apps on iOS/Android. |
What Zipcar is & How it Works
Zipcar offers two ways to drive.
- Roundtrip: book a specific car/van in advance and return it to the same marked bay.
- Flex (London-only): grab a nearby car and end your trip in any permitted bay inside the Zipzone.
You book in the app, unlock via phone, find the keys in the car, and fuel/charge as needed using the included fuel card or public charge points as instructed.
Complete your journey and end the trip in the app. Roundtrip must be back in its home bay and Flex must follow local parking rules.
Where Zipcar is Available (UK)
Coverage is concentrated in London where there are thousands of cars/vans.
Zipcar also promotes availability in Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge, but availability is lower in these areas.
Zipcar Flex is London-only, with end-trip parking permitted in approved resident/shared bays inside the Zipzone. There are Flex facilities at Heathrow (T5) and Gatwick with airport fees.
Always check the live map in the app before you travel.
Vehicles & Fleet
Expect small “city” cars, hatchbacks and compact SUVs alongside vans you can book by the hour/day.
Zipcar is expanding EVs (Corsa-e, Hyundai Ioniq and others) and has committed to a 100% electric fleet by 2030. Pets must be in locked carriers, although assistance animals are allowed.
Zipcar does not advertise child seats as an inclusion—members must comply with UK child-seat laws and bring appropriate seats if travelling with children.
Pricing & Fees (How Costs Work)
Membership plans determine your hourly/day rates:
- Basic (£9/h £90/day)
- Smart (£7/h £70/day for £6/month)
- Plus (£6/h £60/day for £15/month).
Flex charges £0.32 per minute. 60 miles/day are included on trips, and thereafter, £0.32/mile applies. Vans typically start from £10/h. Fees vary by plan, car type and location—confirm in-app before booking.
Pricing Examples
| Scenario | Rough cost (before any tolls/fees) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2-hour weekday, London, Roundtrip city car on Plus | ~£12 | £6/h; includes 60 miles/day. Per-mile applies only beyond daily allowance. |
| 1-day van (Plus plan) | ~£60+ (car) / from £10/h (van hourly) | Vans priced separately; check van page. |
| 35-minute one-way to Heathrow T5 (Flex) | ~£11.20 plus £10 airport fee | 0.32/min; Heathrow T5 fee from Additional Charges. |
Insurance & Excess
Basic insurance is included, but members are responsible for a damage fee up to £1,000 per incident (£1,500 for higher-risk members).
An optional Damage Fee Waiver is available (pricing shown in the app) to reduce or eliminate what you’d pay after an incident. Business accounts list per-trip waiver options to reduce the excess to £250 or £0.
Roadside assistance is available 24/7.
Eligibility & Sign-Up
You’ll need to be 25+ with at least one year’s driving for standard membership. Apply online, supply a DVLA check code for licence verification, and expect a decision within ~3 days.
International licences can be accepted subject to UK legal requirements and Zipcar checks.
Payment by debit/credit card is required.
Unique Selling Points vs Rivals
Zipcar’s Flex one-way service and dense London coverage (including Heathrow/Gatwick options) are the clear differentiators. Most competitors are “back-to-bay” only.
Enterprise Car Club has the broadest national spread (many UK towns/cities) but is primarily back-to-bay. Co-Wheels is a community-interest company with notable presence in smaller towns and cities. All are CoMoUK-accredited.
Who it’s Best For
If you live in London (or the near South) and want a car occasionally without owning one, Zipcar is a strong fit—especially if you value one-way, short urban trips and easy airport access.
If you’re in the Midlands or North and need local cars frequently, a more national operator may suit you better.
Best for: London-based drivers who need flexible, short-notice access to cars/vans and want one-way, end-anywhere trips within the city.
Common Mistakes
Flex end-trip rules are borough-specific—ending outside permitted bays, in “permit-holder-only” bays, or outside the Zipzone can lead to PCNs and admin fees.
Roundtrip late returns and returning under ¼ tank incur fees.
Congestion Charge isn’t fully “included”—Zipcar bills a reduced fee when you enter during charging hours, but Dart Charge is included.
Always end your Flex trip in the app because it won’t auto-end.
FAQs
Do young drivers (under 25) qualify?
Standard accounts require 25+. Business/university schemes may allow 21+ under additional terms.
Are international licences accepted?
Yes, subject to UK legal eligibility and Zipcar verification.
Are pets allowed?
Only in locked carriers (assistance animals excepted). Cleaning fees apply if hair is left.
Do cars include child seats?
Not included—bring your own and follow UK child-seat law.
Can I end a Flex trip anywhere?
No—only in approved bays within the Zipzone per borough rules. The app shows permitted areas.
Do I pay tolls?
Dart Charge is included. Other tolls/charges are your responsibility.
What about fuel/charging?
Fuel card is in the car. EV charging costs are covered. Return with at least ¼ tank where applicable.
Is there a deposit?
No deposit, but temporary holds/authorisations may appear on your card.