What is the current cost of gasoline in Scotland, Wales and England? Is it sold by the liter (litre) or gallon?

It varies from place to place. In my local area (West Yorkshire) at the moment it's between £1.36 and £1.41 per litre. In more remote areas it will be more expensive, in cities with lots of supermarkets competing it might be a bit less.

Petrol is now only sold by the litre.

sold by the litre. Currently in my area (West Midlands)
138.9- 139.9 pence per litre for petrol. Diesel prices range from 146.9-148.9 p per litre

http://www.petrolprices.com

And diesel is probably 10p more per litre - but as ever be sure not to buy at motorway services or those prominently located on major trunk roads - you'll pay another 5-10p premium per litre. If possible fill up at supermarkets to ensure the lowest price.

Dr D.

It's around £6.30 a gallon (4.5 litres = 1 Imp gallon), in my part of Hampshire.

In Edinburgh yesterday it was £1.36.9/litre, south side of the city Esso garage.

No, no, no. The liter to gallon ratio is 3.8 to 1. Hooameye is completely wrong and this is easily sourced on the web.

137p means about 5.20 GBP and that's around $8.32/gallon at a $1.60/1 exchange rate.

Hooameye is absolutely correct in that they used an imperial gallon, as used in the UK which is 4.56 litres.

BigRuss is correct in quoting aprox 3.8 litres for a US gallon to help out the OP.

Simple answer "Bloody Expensive"

What is "petrol"?

"No, no, no. The liter to gallon ratio is 3.8 to 1. Hooameye is completely wrong and this is easily sourced on the web."

As pointed out, 3.8 litres is a US gallon, 4.5 litres is an imperial gallon.

"What is "petrol"?

The other fuel that you put in cars and is not diesel

Ugh. This is why you all say not to drive, isn't it?

Taking a deep breath...okay. Will a small putt-putt car get us around most of Scotland? Not going to be able to go *too* far north (past the Great Glen), but Argyll, Aberdeen, Angus, Speyside, etc.

yeah, small cars are fine in Scotland once past the central belt you neither can nor want to drive too fast, mind you the wee cars can struggle up the hills if fully loaded.

Will a small putt-putt car get us around most of Scotland? Not going to be able to go *too* far north (past the Great Glen), but Argyll, Aberdeen, Angus, Speyside, etc.>>

well it will, but you might want something with a bit more "umph" for speed and comfort. you will get much better mileage out of a diesel, though the fuel is more expensive to put in the tank. and if there are more than two of you with all your luggage, a small car could be very sluggish.

Driving part two: Do Americans need an International Driver's License or Permit in the UK? Michelin seems to say yes, Lonely Planet says a valid license is all you need.

Going to get the wee car, once you told me the price of petrol!

I've driven a Fiat Panda through the Dolomites with wife and kid and a Smart for4 with 3 adult passengers along the Amalfi coast. You will not set any land speed records and will row the shifter constantly, but you will get there nearly as quickly. Remember, many locals drive cars as small and smaller.

It's been reported on some forums that SOME hire car companies "officially" require an IDP but often don't ask to see it. The IDP is a translation of your licence into the language of the country you're visiting, so as we almost speak the same language (if you're coming from the US) I personally can't see the need for them (possibly it confirms your licence is genuine but I don't know for sure).

It's been reported on some forums that SOME hire car companies "officially" require an IDP but often don't ask to see it.>>

I don't think that we have EVER been asked for it, and we have hired cars in most countries in western europe over the last 25 years or so.

" Do Americans need an International Driver's License or Permit in the UK?"

I've seen a couple of cases on forums like this where an <b>individual hire company </b>(I THINK it was Enterprise) has specified this in the T&Cs. There's absolutely no doubt about the legality of a US temporary visitor relying on a valid US licence.

The logic for the IDP requirement, allegedly, was that lack of a valid driving licence invalidated the insurance, and staff couldn't be expected to be sure about the validity of non-EU licences. Even in English (well: how DO you check whether a piece of paper claiming to be from West Virginia is a fake or not? But if it were and there was an accident, the insurance co wouldn't pay up).

As so often in travel, the silly requirement may be in the small print only so staff can turn dodgy-looking customers away if they think the "licence" was run off on Photoshop, and won't be used against respectable-looking Australians or Americans with something looking official from a state or province the clerk's been to on holiday. Probably worth looking at your co's T&C's - then emailing them to check whether they're serious about anything that looks over the top.

if you are visiting in the next few weks a word of warning,there is a potential strike of the tanker drivers that deliver feul all around the country, this could me shortages or no fule in many places , keep you eyes on the news in Britain "fuel drivers strike" if googled should get you info.