Having never driven in the UK, am I taking my life in my hands by doing so? How long does it take to "learn" this skill of driving on the other side of the road???

Lori, don't worry. We have driven there lots of times, and three times I have driven on my own. And I can't imagine seeing all the treasures U.K. has to offer without a car. It takes a little bit to get used to, but just remember, just as in Canada or U.S. you, as the driver, are always on the middle line. Whenever I find myself a bit unsure at a corner, etc. I remember that, I am always on the middle line. Some other tips: the cheapest cars to rent will be the manuals. If you don't drive one now and the thought is a bit intimidating, particularly because you will be shifting with your left hand, opt for a bit more money and get the automatic. Try and get as small as car as you need, since many of the roads are very narrow and it will make parking a lot easier, too. If you drive on the M roads at all, these are the big 6-lane superhighways, remember to always keep in the far left lane, unless you are passing. Contrary to the way North Americans drive, Brits are fairly fussy about keeping the middle and far right (the speed-demon lane)lanes open for passing. It may mean a bit of weaving in and out, particularly if there are lots of lorries in the slow lane, but it actually moves a lot of traffic. Make sure you get a good map and study it before you embark on a trip. We always write out our itinerary the night before, for example: take the A423 to Stow-on-the-Wold, B4177 to Hook Norton, then A4 to Oxford (don't take these directions, I made them up). If you have a navigator/map-reader it helps them keep in mind where you are headed, if not, I lay it on the passenger seat and grab for it whenever I need it. Have lots of other advice I could give, but if you have more questions can contact me directly. Last bit of advice is on traffic circles, will probably find a lot of them. Always yield to cars coming from right, signal that you are going around, then signal when you are ready to go out, stay in outside lane for one and two exits, in the middle lane for any more. If you are unsure which exit to take head for the middle and stay there until you are organized (I have sometimes gone round two or three times), and then be very careful when you start to come out. Have fun. <BR>

You will find diverse opinions on this subject if you search this site for past replies. It depends on where you are used to driving and where you intend to drive. I have asked an a friend from India about driving for the first time in UK. He said no big deal. Obviously, for him it was not much different from driving in India. <BR> <BR>For me, I wish now that I have not chosen to drive in the UK, I rather wanted the times I lost getting lost in cities and having to wait for the car to get repaired back so I could have visited more places. <BR> <BR>Categorically here are the factors to consider: <BR> <BR>1. Where you currently drive. UK roads are narrower than the U.S. City traffic requires continual lane changes even just to go straight. Pedestarian walk rules and signal use are something I have not seen anywhere in the U.S. I got honked alot for not moving ahead at the pedastrians walk when the light turned flashing yellow from red. <BR> <BR>2. Left side driving in itself does not seem to be an insurmountable problem as you will find in this forum. The collaterals that come with it; however, cause problems. Not used to having most of the car on the left of you. When I was at the rental agency, a guy next to me was trying to get another car because he wiped out his left mirror. It sounded very common occurrence. Also common is hitting the left curves with the left front tire. <BR> <BR>3. Stick vs Auto: I have driven stick shift all my life. I opted for an automatic because I planned to drive in the city. In retrospect, one of the few right choices I made. There was no way I could have handled that much hectic lane changes within short city blocks. <BR> <BR>4. Roundabouts: It is a very efficient traffic control for a moderate traffic. The turn signal use requires much time to get used to. Although we were going around clockwise, we turned on the right turn signal until just before taking an exit. For two weeks, I never got used to seeing cars blinking right signals to turn left into the traffic circle. <BR> <BR>5. Navigator: Comparatively, more turning decisions need to be made in the UK. Unless the driver knows all the turns, someone good with maps is essential. My wife did not read maps well. We got lost alot. <BR> <BR>6. Types of road. Country driving is easier as far as making turns, however, need to contend with narrower roads. M-roads are like interstate in the U.S., little bit narrower but managable. A-roads are usually two lane roads. Way I see them, they do not require slowing down to pass oncoming traffic. They are not as wide as what we find in the Western US or Canada. B-roads would require slowing down to pass oncoming vehicle, sometimes need to put the left wheels off the pavement (presuming shoulder exists.) There are also single track roads - as the name implies one direction only, need to used "passing bubbles" located every few hundred yards to pass oncoming vehicles.

Lori -- You'll be fine driving on the left in the U.K. Most modestly confident drivers manage well. There are tips, however, which might enhance your trip. I've sent back to the top of this forum my earlier messsage on 'Driving in the U.K.'

<BR>I'll never criticise my husband's driving skills again. <BR> <BR>A few years back we embarked on a mammoth 4 month round the world expedition with our two children. Coming from Australia, where we drive on the left, our first stop was LA where we collected a car and drove thousands of miles with me prompting him to stay right. His biggest problem was pulling out of gas stations or parking lots and automatically going to the wrong side. <BR> <BR>Just when he was becoming confident on the right hand side we left and went to the U.K. - now back on the left hand side where all those roundabouts confused us too. I was always amazed why they often put the destination sign AFTER you have made your selection of which road to take and not before. <BR> <BR>Next stop Europe back on the right hand side. It was a bit of "today is Tuesday and you drive on the left". My navigator help of "stay left" or stay right" often turned into "move over" which, of course, was not a great help! <BR> <BR>We successfully drove in the middle of London, the middle of Paris and the middle of Rome - although not without white knuckles. <BR> <BR>Our only mishap was with a flower pot which we hit backing out of a driveway. My husband said he was so busy watching which way the traffic was going that he forgot to look out for things that were standing still. <BR> <BR>On a more serious note be especially careful as a pedestrian when in a country driving on the opposite side. One step off the curb without looking in the right direction can be disasterous.

Remember to go the OTHER way in a traffic circle!!!!!! (roundabout)

Hi, Just back from two weeks of driving in the UK. We opted for an automatic. As others have said, there's enough confusion without the added chore of shifting. On the tip of, I think, Rick Steves guidebook, we bought and put on the windshield a "New Driver" sign, actually it's a big "L". Got it at an auto parts store. It sure cut down on the number of people honking and giving us dirty looks for the dumb things we did. It was either take a tour, use trains/buses or drive. I'm glad we drove but there were stressful moments. Be sure to get a good atlas with lots of road detail. We used a highlighter and mapped out our route ahead of time. Good luck and have fun. <BR> <BR>

I'm a Londoner, and I like the reply posted by Mavis, especially the part about staying in the left or centre lane on the Motorways. In theory, the outside (far right) lane is for passing only. One thing that no-one seems to have mentioned is that under no circumstances should you drive in London. Leave the car at your hotel and take public transport. Remember too that we use our headlights as communication tools as well: if the road's too narrow for two cars to pass, the one that flashes is indicated that he's staying put and is waiting for the other car to advance. The advancing car then waves thank you or, at night, flashes thank you when passing the waiting car. Also, if the car behind you flashes his headlights, it means get out of his way: you are probably going too slowly in the fast lane of the motorway. On the motorway, NEVER stop your car except in the case of an emergency, and then only on the left. It is illegal -- or certainly frowned upon -- to drink soft drinks, coffee, etc., eat, or use a mobile telephone while driving. Remember, there's no left-on-red law here (equivalent to right-on-red in some US states). Good luck.

So now I understand why our luxury car in the UK did not have a cup holder... <BR>

Just a note about using the 'Learner Driver' sign, the red L (or D in Wales) on a white background. Using this, I think, would technically be illegal unless you are in possession of a UK Provisional License (our Learners Permit). There are, however, equivalent stickers for use for those who are 'new' drivers: they are like the L sticker but are green, and you might be able to argue that you are a new driver, seeing as you are new to driving in Britain! <BR> <BR>Another tip: Seems there's a lot of confusion on how to use the car indicators on roundabouts etc. I'd highly recommend that any visitors buy The Highway Code. It's a little booklet that contains all UK road rules, is available in many places (inc. most bookshops) and only costs £0.99 (about $1.50). It's a bit thicker than the equivalent State Highway Code booklets I've seen because we have different classes of signs (circle, triangular, blue, red surround etc.) and make far more use of symbols (e.g. our Max Speed and Min Speed signs are both circular and contain only the speed in figures. The only difference is the colour... and if you don't know which one's which you could be in trouble!!) <BR> <BR>Also, flashing lights. As someone pointed out, if on a motorway the driver behind you flashes their light move into the lane that's appropriate for your speed (outermost is slower than innermost). If, however at a junction (for example) a driver flashes their headlights it usually means 'you first'.

Lori, I have driven in the UK on two different occasions -- once in a non-UK car with the steering wheel on the left, and most recently in a car we rented in Ireland (of course with steering wheel on the right). Much to my surprise, driving the UK car was much harder than driving a non-UK car, even though in the non-UK car the driver had extremely limited visibility. What that showed me was that the hardest thing about driving in the UK is not getting used to driving on the other side of the road, but getting used to having the bulk of the car to your left rather than to your right. You will find that your sense about where the car is is always off, you are likely to get scrapes on the left of the car because it's hard to get a feel for how close (or far) you actually are from the edges of the driving lanes. Having said that, though, I would definitely do it again. We had a wonderful trip to Ireland, and I can't imagine we could have seen what we saw if we were limited to public transportation. <BR>

<BR>People,people,people . . . . <BR> <BR>This is a tricky subject as many people have been helpful enough to lend advice to new drivers in the UK but some of it dangerously wrong and may, in some instances, lead to vehicular accidents. I have been a highway engineer in Scotland for many years now and i am frequently amazed at some of the manoeuvres undertaken by foreign drivers (this is irresoective of who is to blame ie the driver for not knowing the drill or the local authority for having confusing signs / markings down etc). <BR> <BR>1/ Roundabouts <BR>DO NOT indicate right if you intend to go straight ahead - lots of people do it but it's not in the Highway Code and anyway its just confusing. <BR> <BR>2/ Motorways <BR>Motorways can be 2 lanes or more wide i each direction, generally 3 . Don't be scared to drive in lane 3 despite a 5 series BMW flashing at you - just don't linger in that lane all the time. Although the speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways is 70 mph , British Police will not prosecute anyone driving up to 80 mph as these speed limits were introduced in the 1950's when automobile technology was not so advanced ( no airbags, poor seatbelts etc ). <BR> <BR>3/ There is no need to slow down or pull over on a B classified road when passing an oncoming car, and you should certainly not put your wheels off the carriageway( NO B class roads have a shoulder ) . Many B class roads do not have kerbs retaining the carriageway thus if you put your wheels off the carriageway you may end up in a rut or unpaved stretch where tyre damage is a distinct possibility. <BR> <BR>4/ Road markings must be obeyed - learn what unbroken white centrelines mean, what broken /unbroken centrelines mean etc. <BR> <BR>5/ The Highway Code allows flashing of headlights only as an indication that you are there but it is generally accepted it can be used to give other vehicles 'right of way' <BR> <BR>6/ It's not illegal to eat or drink in your vehicle but probablt best not to let the police see you do it. Only hands-free mobile phones can be used by drivers, jamming your phone between your ear and shoulder will result in a prosecution if the police see you.

Lori <BR>My wife and I spent the month of September and the first week of October(1998) in England and Scotland. We drove throughout the south and north of the UK. Driving there is not that difficult, if you obey the traffic laws and drive with care.We Americans, do have some difficulty , with the roundabout, when first used. After using them for a few days they become a natural and efficient way to keep traffic moving. If you enter a triffic circle and take the wrong exit, do not panic, there is always another road or place to turn around. At first we missed a number of exit, we intended to take, but in doing so, found other things we would have missed. Purchase good maps, and use them, before you start, and take the time to stop and enjoy the country. Above all ,take your time and relax, do not rush from point to point. The UK is a beautiful country, with wonderful people. Drive with care and enjoy the experience. <BR>

Lori, <BR> Just remember one thing...Driver in the middle, driver in the middle. Chant that continually. It should be your mantra here! That's what we did when we first arrived here in Scotland. It works. My husband had a tougher time getting used to driving here than I did. It seemed natural for me once I was behind the wheel and on the road. My husband still drives on the right every once in awhile! The roads are narrower and the people drive a lot faster. Don't be intimidated by that, just go slow. <BR> The rules of the roundabouts are that the people to your right have the right of way. The signs are generally good and will tell you which lane to get in before you get to the roundabout. Once in it, stay in the correct lane and it should take you right out of the roundabout. Many times, the road itself will have the appropriate route number painted right on it. I realize it's easier said than done. Make sure you know where you are going, have the route numbers handy and not the road names because the signs don't use road names. Road names change every block or so and are utterly useless here. Do not get a road atlas, but a bonafide street map as these have route numbers on them. Finally, buy a copy of the Highway Code for 99p and read it quickly. It will help you read the road and get you to where you are going safely! If you have any other questions, please contact me directly. Good luck. And remember... Driver in the middle. Driver in the middle. Driver in the mid....

Lori...... <BR> <BR>Just back from driving (first time) in UK. Plan on extra time wherever you are going, because you WILL get lost! Don't let it get the better of you, you will see lots of great sites. They do drive fast, just take your time. Everyone is very friendly and helpful so don't hesitate to stop and ask where you are. We had a great time and only a few times did I wish I was on a bus or train with a flask! Have a great time!!

Only but street maps for city driving - You will be better off using an atlas if you intend to travel about the UK a lot. Molly, street maps of everywhere in UK would cost a small fortune !

Count on getting lost - fer sure! How's your depth perception? Roads have an unsettling way of suddenly spilling into (the most charming) little villages - with narrow, narrow streets. The advantage is that you can at least slow down, take a deep breath, and perhaps mop your brow of nervous sweat. The downside is....squeaking past that big fat lorry, watching out for pedestrians and trying to spot a promising place for lunch, all at once. Curbs along the narrow roads where traffic is moving at 40 mph or more are also unnerving. <BR> <BR>A final note: Be sure to determine what fuel your car takes. Ours had only the tiniest sign indicating diesel - which we overlooked. Now that was a bummer vacation day.

Thank you all for your wonderful, informative replies! Watch out for me on the roads in the UK this Spring! <BR> <BR>