Driving in Britain
 

Has anyone had experience - positive or negative - driving in the UK? I'm going this month and plan to rent a car, but some friends and family are worried it's dangerous if one is unaccustomed to driving on the 'other' side of the road. One thing I've heard is hire a car with an automatic transmission, as shifting with your left hand is difficult. What else?<BR>Thanks for any input!

The roads are very dangerous in the UK. Lots of drunk drivers swerving all over, kids running out in front of you, trucks cutting you up, But worst of all lots of American's who can't remember which side to drive on and claiming that the English drive on the "wrong" side of the road.

We know how you feel as driving on the right after being used to the left is just as bad, and I personally find it a bit hair-raising and leave most of the driving to my partner. Make a point of hiring an AUTOMATIC car as our regular cars are nearly manual transmission over here, because we prefer it. What we do when in the States is drive to cities then get a coach tour to take us within the city to save on the stress of driving on the wrong side of the road! and get used to using roundabouts - Britain has a roundabout on every corner, so to speak!

I'm in a similar situation to you as I will be driving in Spain next month. I'm a bit nervous but trying to keep it in perspective. Thousands of Brits drive in Europe every year without any problems so I am asking myself why should I have any trouble driving on what is the 'wrong side of the road'. Just keep calm and remember that loads of Americans and European drive in the UK every year and have a good time doing so.

don't start out while you are tired or jetlagged..if you are renting at the airport , chose a place for your first night within a few miles...when we fly into heathrow, we always spend our first night in windsor and get a fresh start in the morning.<BR><BR>The motorways are too fast for us on our first day..so we stick to secondary roads, more pleasurable anyway,and you see a lot more than when you are surrounded in the middle lanes by huge trucks . just go slow till you get the feel. If you have to go twice around the roundabouts , it's no big deal.<BR><BR>It helps to have a good navigator who has studied the map a little before getting in the car.

be careful of Spaghetti Junction - an infamous roundabout near London - a friend of mine got stuck on it and kept going round and round until a policecar saw her problem and escorted her out of it!

Monica, your friend really did need rescuing. Spaghetti Junction is near Birmingham. She was a long way from London!

I have had no trouble getting the car at Gatwick and taking off on the motorway. I find the motorways the best way to start driving since you only have to worry about traffic going one way.<BR><BR>Have a navigator if you can. Most important is to remember which lane to get into when you exit a parking lot<BR><BR>Get an automatic transmission

Shifting with your left hand is not that difficult. But if you are willing to pay the cost then get a automatic and you will have one less thing to think about while driving. For me the bigest problem was not being able to relax because of always thinking about what you were doing. But it is not dangerous and will be great fun.

I drove around England for 3 weeks without any major problem. The roundabouts really do work - if you miss your turn-out just go around again! The first day it was scary (I did manage to go down the wrong side) but after that is was fine. Do get an automatic; it's worth the extra money. Also, get a paper with all the various road signs.

I cannot stress this enough - Get an Automatic! It might cost a couple of dollars more, but for safety and peace of mind don't mess around with manual transmission. I always tell people do not take to the road after getting off a long flight, you will have jet lag whether you think you do or not. Your reflexes are not as sharp when you are exhausted. We always get a hotel near the a/p and start off the next day when we rent a car in the UK if we are coming directly from the US (west coast in our case, 10.5 hours of flight). <BR><BR>I'd also highly recommend only one of you doing the driving. A designated driver so to speak. It makes it much easier to adpat if you are not switching back and forth. One person should be the navigator - watch the sign posts, maps and yell when you are coming to close to curbs, bushes, mailboxes, etc. :-) <BR><BR>Country roads are narrow - get the smallest car you can manage with the number of people and luggage you will have. It takes some getting used to narrow roads, but it's not impossible, trust me! <BR><BR>Distances can be deceiving. What looks close can take some time because of narrow country roads! The highways (dual carriageways as they are called) are like the highways in the US, altho I think the British drive faster in most cases.<BR><BR>Roundabouts are a real thrill! You will feel like Chevy Chase in in European Vacation movie, but you will get the hang of them after a few go arounds.<BR><BR>Just relax, take it easy and don't panic. Most of all tho, don't start off with jet lag. A Hertz agent once told us that the majority of rental cars involved in accidents have them within 10 miles of the airport and 95% of the people (tourists) were confused, made errors of judgement, etc. <BR><BR>Also, be prepared to pay for parking in most towns - you might find some parking on streets, but most places have "car parks" where you pay.

Lori<BR><BR>I'll bet you use an automatic in the states. I don't and have never had problems because of a stick in the UK over many years. If you use a standard shift in your day to day driving then it is no problem.

We have rented cars on three vacations in England in recent years. My husband, who drives a manual at home, always likes an automatic in England ---- one less thing to think about. I think it is a matter of with what you will feel more comfortable. He has never been bothered with jet lag when driving from Heathrow to our first night's destination. I, as the navigator, am the one who always has to fight to stay awake. (I just can't sleep on the plane!) We concur that it is a good idea to get a small car -- something like their Ford Focus, although twice we drove a mini-van because we were acting as tour guides for relatives. The best piece of advice my husband says he received was to "keep the passenger in the ditch". This really helps him remember into which lane to turn or drive. I just wish he wouldn't take it so literally!!! Lastly, on our first trip we assumed our car insurance would provide collision protection in England, as it does when we drive in Canada. But no! I called our insurance company before our second trip just to verify the coverage and was dismayed to learn it we had none in England. We were so glad we drove without incident the first time, having refused the rental company's collision insurance. So, check with your insurance company before you go! Have a wonderful trip.

http://www.roads.dft.gov.uk/roadsafety/hc/index.shtml<BR><BR>This is the official web site for the Highway Code ( British driving rules and has all the signs etc ). You can also take a "mock" UK Driving Theory test.<BR><BR><BR>You will however find people tolerant particualry if you let them know you are a foreigner. <BR><BR>This is just a thought get yourself some "P" Plates ( for Provisonal Driver ) and you will find people give you more space / time. Use them for a few days until you feel comfortable.<BR><BR>You could use more common "L" plates for learner but these aren't suposed to be used by qualified drivers.<BR><BR>Lastly just for the record over 60 countries drive on the correct side of the road i.e. the left.<BR><BR>Enjoy your visit to the UK.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

In England I was usually the navigator. I suggest the following points which helped when using the roundabouts:<BR><BR>1) I would gently remind my husband when approaching the roundabout to keep left. Our driving in England (on three trips) was one time he didn't mind my "backseat" driving.<BR><BR>2) I would give clock directions for leaving the roundabout, i.e., I would say "Exit at 2 o'clock" or 3 o'clock, rather than say take the third or fourth exit. This works better that screeching, "No, not that one, the next one!"

No one has mentioned anything about the etiquette for negotiating roundabouts. Isn't there something about only driving in the outside lane when you are ready to exit rather than just staying in it as you go round and around? No?

At 19 years of age I drove around London and around various parts of England. I did some reading before I left and studying so that I could learn the rules of the road. It really helped. It was like taking drivers ed all over again. If I could do it I think anyone could do it. Just prepare yourself and it should be fine. Happy driving.

If you are taking the first turning off or going straight over on a small roundabout stay in the outside lane. If you are turning right stay in the inside until the turning before your turn and then move to the outside.<BR><BR>Make sure you use your mirrors and that you don't cut anyone up.<BR><BR>On dual carriageways some drivers will turn right in the outside lane if they are driving in the left hand lane. If they are driving in the right hand lane they will use the inside of the roundabout.<BR><BR>Give way to traffic from the right and traffic already on the roundabout. If you miss your turn go around again.

One idea - buy a cheap 2002 road atlas at the first gas station. It costs 3 or 4 pounds, and the maps are about 4 miles to the inch. You might find it useful to highlight the route you are taking and note the road numbers. Also, these atlases generally have pages showing British road signs, as well as mileage charts, motorway junctions, etc. Probably better than the free maps that come with the rental car.