Car hire and car clubs How to join Zipcar Feb 2010
- Thinking of joining a car club? We explain the whole Zipcar sign-up process
- All you need to know about the Zipcar car club and where it operates
- Check out the exciting Zip cars you can drive as a member
- See how you could save money with Zipcar and other car clubs such as City Car Club and Streetcar
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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: the convenience of a car without the hassle
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 (£3.95 on weekdays of £4.95 on weekends) or per day (£29 on weekdays or £45 on weekends) for the duration of the hire.
Zipcar pays for the car insurance, fuel and the upkeep of the vehicle, and mileage of up to 60 miles a day is included. 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
In the UK, the Zipcar car club operates in London only. However, Zipcar is one of the world’s biggest car clubs, and as a member you'll also be able to use Zipcars in North American cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver.
There are Zipcars in most parts of London – you can use the Zipcar website to find the nearest Zipcar to your home or workplace.
If you live elsewhere in the UK, 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 020 7669 4000.
How do I sign up to Zipcar?
When joining Zipcar, the first step is to choose a driving plan.
Zipcar's extra value plans – which are best for people who use Zipcar regularly – require you to pay either £50, £100 or £250 per month, which counts as credit towards your hires, plus a £25 annual fee. Once your monthly payment is used up, you'll benefit from reduced rates for any subsequent hours of hire.
If you go for the occasional driving plan, there’s no monthly commitment. But you'll pay an annual membership fee of £50, 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. If you're under 23, you'll also need to show a valid passport and a recent credit car statement.
Which cars are available from the Zipcar car club?
Zipcar members can drive the BMW 3 Series
As a Zipcar member you’ll have a wide range of cars at your disposal, including the Honda Jazz, the iconic Mini Cooper, BMW 3 Series and Volvo S40.
If you want a clear environmental conscience, go for a Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid – both of which were reviewed in the Which? greener cars guide.
Note that for insurance reasons, Zipcar won't let drivers under the age of 21 hire premium cars such as the BMWs or Minis.
What other charges will I have to pay as a member of the Zipcar car club?
If you drive more than the included 60 miles a day, you will be charged a extra 23p per mile, or 33p per mile for premium cars such as the BMW 3 Series.
