Car Clubs

Increasing numbers of people are turning away from car ownership as the costs of keeping your vehicle on the road continue to increase. With improving transport links in and between Britain's urban centres and an increasing focus on environmental concerns you may wish to consider if owning a car is right for you or whether you make full use of all the cars in your household.

So, you've decided to leave car ownership behind but you suddenly remember you need to pick your visitors up at the airport - what are your options? In the past you would be forced to rely on the services of a taxi company or alternatively hire a car for the day. Car Clubs now offer a viable alternative throughout much of England allowing you to book a car for the length of time that you need from a few hours to a few days.

How Do They Work?

You will need to become a member of a Car Club before you can use their vehicles and generally they will require a minimum membership length of 12 months. In order to become a member you will need to provide details of your driving history. Rules vary between Clubs however most will have a minimum age and will ask you about any endorsements on your licence. The majority of clubs will accept members with foreign driving licenses as long as they are valid under UK law. You may also be asked to provide proof of your address, especially if you hold a foreign driving license, and details of a bank account against which your membership and usage charges can be debited. In general you will be charged a standard membership fee regardless of use with hire and petrol charges billed as you use the vehicles.

Once you have joined a Club you are able to book any of their vehicles, subject to availability, for a length of time to suit you. You will find the car in its designated parking space and your membership card can be used to unlock the car and retrieve the keys from the glove compartment. Many clubs allow you to extend the booking at short notice if you realise that you will need extra time, subject to the car not being booked by another user. Each car must be returned to its own designated parking space in order to be ready for the next user.

What Are The Costs?

You will need to pay a joining fee in order to use the services of a Car Club which may be an annual charge or alternatively may be a monthly membership with a minimum term. You will then need to pay the appropriate hire fee each time you use a vehicle. Hire fees are generally levied by the hour with many clubs also offering a daily rate which will often be much cheaper than a traditional rental car. Each scheme varies so below is a list of items you may wish to check before signing up to a scheme:

• Insurance - The insurance provided should be fully comprehensive however does the scheme provide insurance for the club member only or does their policy cover a spouse? You also need to be aware of the excess you will be required to pay in the event of an insurance claim being made.

• Damage to the vehicle - In order that you are not charged for any pre-existing damage to the vehicle, your scheme should have a procedure for reporting damage which you should be aware of.

• Petrol - Most schemes include a mileage allowance within their hire fees, with additional mileage calculated by an onboard computer and charged to your account. You may wish to consider the mileage allowance when investigating which scheme to join.

• Congestion Charging - If you live in a city which operates congestion charges, who is responsible for the charge and how is payment made?

Car Clubs For Business

Car Clubs are not only for private individuals with businesses being able to join the majority of schemes. Benefits include having a much wider pool of cars available to your staff without the hassles of routine maintenance and the costs of road tax and insurance. Vehicles are often available at a discount to the private client rates, depending on the volume of usage by your business.

Looking For Further Information?

There are a variety of websites with useful information regarding Car Clubs, click here to find your nearest scheme; www.carclubs.org.uk has been set up in conjunction with some of the major service providers and Transport For London to provide information.

The latest advice and information from the government can be found on the DirectGov website by clicking here.

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