As a live-in carer in the UK, you will very likely need to make use of public transport and while this will work well, there may be times when you long for your own ‘wheels’ to get somewhere. It is also a lot easier to carry your luggage across the country in a car than on the underground and in trains and buses.

But is it a good idea?

Depending on where your placements are and how often you go back there, you may find that you really do not need a car. Getting around central London using public transport is easy compared to battling your way around the city in a car.

On the other hand, travelling to remote areas of northern England and even Scotland can be a nightmare if you rely on public transport.

Typically, cities of more than 100,000 population will have a decent public service which should make it easy to get from one placement to another.

Let’s look at the realities of driving in the UK

Roads are busy. Yes, they are. And they are numerous. So, the GPS may give you a choice of at least a dozen roads to take to get to your client. Not all will be ideal, and some may be faster but busier than others. You will need a decent GPS.

Speed limits. These vary and can change in a minute, so just when you have got used to driving at one speed, it can all change. If you miss a sign, you can be fined. Always assume until you see a sign that speed in a built-up area is 30mph.

Roads are OLD. Yes, they are, and they are often filled with potholes, particularly ones in the countryside. In fact, some of them may be so old that your GPS fails to register them.

Rural roads are narrow. At times they may only one car wide and this can make overtaking or passing a nightmare if you are not used to it.

Traffic lights, one-way systems, and roundabouts. The UK is full of these, this is something you will need to get used to.

Fuel is not cheap. Diesel is more expensive than petrol, but both are costly.

Parking is often bad. If you find yourself in a town on a Saturday or on market day, you may battle to find parking. You may find yourself walking some distance to get to where you want to be.

Speed cameras. These are becoming more common in the UK and if you are caught speeding you will receive penalty points on your license, or a fine, or both.

Insurance, tax, and MOT. You will need to pay for all of these and depending on the age of the car and where you will use it, can all add up to a good amount of money.

The advantages – what are they?

The main advantage and possibly the main reason to buy your own car is so that you are not reliant on public transport. You can leave a client at a time you both agree on and simply drive away, rather than waiting for the taxi, bus, train, or underground to be on time – or even show up!

You have a storage unit for your luggage. If you fly to the UK and back home, then you most likely buy extra things to take back home. Rather than lugging them across the country every time you move placements, you can simply lock them in your car.

Final thoughts

There are two sides to everything and having a car is no different. Some people will desperately want their own transport while others will be more than happy to use public transport – which is normally excellent in the UK.

It’s a personal choice, but it is worth knowing the pros and cons of both sides before committing to buying a car.

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