How to join ZipcarHow to join Zipcar

Zipcar claims hiring one of its club cars is 'as easy as getting cash from a cashpoint'. That may be so, but before you can start driving around town in smart new Zip cars, you'll need to join up.

Here, we'll show you how it's done and tell you everything you need to know about the cars you could be driving as a member of the Zipcar car club.

If you would like information on joining Zipcar's competitors, read our free guides to Streetcar and City Car Club. And, if you would like a more general overview of how car clubs work, read our car club guide.

How does the Zipcar car club work?

Zipcar lets you drive when it suits you

Just like Streetcar and City Car Club, Zipcar lets you hire a car when it suits you, for as little or as much time as you like (up to a maximum of four days).

Members use the Zipcar website to book cars, which are parked in designated bays across town, and then pay per hour or per day for the duration of the hire.

Zipcar pays for the car insurance, fuel and the upkeep of the vehicle. Unlike most other car clubs, Zipcar also foots the bill for the London congestion charge.

Can I find a Zipcar in my area?

In the UK, Zipcar only operates in London

Zipcar claims to be the world’s biggest car club, but most of its vehicles – and members – are located in North America. In the UK, the Zipcar car club operates solely in London.

There are Zipcars in most parts of the city though, and it’s possible to use the Zipcar website to find the nearest car to your home or workplace.

If you live outside of London, try another car club. This car clubs website has a record of all the car clubs in your area, and you can read more about where Streetcar and City Car Club operate in our other car club guides.

Who can join the Zipcar car club?

Drivers need to be at least 19 to join Zipcar

To be eligible for Zipcar membership, you have to be at least 19 years old. You will also need to have held a full, valid driving licence for at least 12 months (or 18 months if you're under the age of 21).

Drink-driving charges and other traffic offences such as excessive speeding can also affect your ability to join Zipcar. If in doubt, call the car club directly on 0800 011 2555.

Zipcar has Mini Coopers available for hire

If you go for the 'occasional driving plan', there’s no monthly commitment. But you'll pay an annual membership fee of £25, plus slightly higher daily or hourly charges whenever you hire a car.

Once you've decided on a payment plan, you will be asked to enter your name, address and driving licence details. Then you can choose whether to collect your Zipcard (which you use to access the cars you hire) or have it delivered to you.

Applicants between the ages of 19 and 21 must collect their Zipcard from Zipcar's offices in London, with three forms of valid identity and proof of their billing address.

What other charges will I have to pay as a member of the Zipcar car club?

If you are late returning a Zipcar, you’ll have to pay a fine. At the time of writing, this stood at £35 for each hour’s delay.

There are also penalties for breaking a variety of other rules, including smoking in the vehicle and failing to pay up when parking fines are issued. You can see a full list of the car club’s rules at www.zipcar.co.uk.