Charles

Hi <BR>We are going over to Britain for a short while and will rent a car over there. We are a little concerned as to just how difficult it is to learn to drive of the left hand side. Are there special driving schools to assist right hand side drivers to get used to driving on the left. <BR> <BR>Also is it true that cars overthere are all standards? If yes how does one quickly learn to drive a standard?

Bob

You can get an automatic, but it will cost you twice as much. Its not that hard to drive on the left. What is hard is to get used to driving on the left. Driving is very tiring because you always have to be aware where you are on the road. It also helps to have someone with you. Their job is to tell you how close you are to anything on theleft. Its hard for you to gage.

Gina

I didn't have much trouble learning to drive on the left. The biggest adjustment is remembering not to drift toward the center line, because you're accustomed to the bulk of the car being to your left, not your right, as you drive. (British cars have the controls on the right-hand side of the car.) I had my "navigator" keep an eye and remind me if I started to drift too far over. <BR> <BR>I also live in Washington, DC, where we have a lot of traffic circles. These prepared me for what I think is a bigger challenge for most drivers than the left-side thing: roundabouts. If you've never driven in one before, they can be difficult (figuring out how to merge with traffic already in the circle and then how and where to get out again) the first few times you hit them. <BR> <BR>There are automatic cars available for rent in Britain. (Otherwise I never would have driven there!) Generally they're a bit more expensive to rent, however.

Tony Hughes

Gina what do you mean that british cars have their controls on the right-hand side? Do you mean indicators/turn signals? Most of them don't, actually, as foreign manufacturers (ie just about everyone) doesnt bother to swap the indicator stalk for the wash/wipe stalk for the british market so we have it the same as you. <BR> <BR>Even honda have it this way despite the japanese driving on the left (many/most hondas now made in britain for british market). Luckily my accord was a japanese built model with the stalk on the correct side. <BR> <BR>There have been a number of similar postings regarding this topic, many of which have been fairly pathetic. <BR> <BR>Actually I wonder if we shouldnt just switch to driving on the right to stop all the bleating. <BR> <BR>Charles, it's like passing water, mate - it's a piece of p***!

Richard

Agree with most of the above re roundabouts, etc. If you're not used to manual shift, that can be a problem, you'll have other things to worry about. If you are used to manual, the shift pattern is the same. Two things gave me a problem, when backing out of a driveway, line of sight obscured by hedges, I followed my instincts and looked left, then right, (kind of like when you step off a curb in the UK)WRONG! The second was my tendency to be in the fast lane, again my instinct to keep to the right when going slower than traffic flow. Over taking can also be an experience.

Lori

First of all there are plenty of automatic cars available - I cannot believe someone would think otherwise. We've rented them, otherwise we would never have driven in the UK. They do cost a bit more, but it's worth it. If you dont' drive one home why mess with it on vacation? You will get the hang of driving fairly quickly, I suggest if there are two (or more) of you that one of you do all the driving because it is a lot less hectic if one person is the designated driver and the other the designated "watcher". It always works for us to do it this way, I do the driving as a matter of fact. It takes a little getting used to figuring out how close to things you are and some of the country roads are mighty narrow but with some practice (and go slow) it's not that difficult at all. I would suggest you NOT get off a plane from the US (or any other long flight) and jump in a rental car and start driving. You will have jet lag, your reflexes are going to be off even if you think they are not. Stay near the airport and start your drive the next day. Hertz rental agent at Heathrow told us that 90% of the accidents with their rental cars happen right near the airport with people who have jet lag attempting to drive.

Tony Hughes

Richard <BR> <BR>Why not reverse slowly and look both ways, it's the way we do it over here. <BR> <BR>Are you seriously suggesting that you sat in the 'fast' lane and didn't realise it? (hey, those cars to my left are going SLOWER than me?) <BR> <BR>You're saying you don't overtake in America? What's so dofficult about doing it over here? (now should I try and take him on the inside?) <BR> <BR>Spread your wings a little, man.

Liz

If you've never driven on the 'wrong' side of the road, it's natuaral to be worried, but, honestly, you'll find it a piece of cake. <BR> <BR>I live in the UK, and although (before I went to mainland Europe) I was worried about driving on the right, when I got there I found it just came naturally. Within a couple of hours. I didn't even have to think about it. <BR> <BR>Hire cars over here are designed for driving on the left, i.e. they have the steering wheel on the right, which is towards the centre of the road. We overtake to the right of the car in front and the oncoming traffic is going past us on our right - surely this is just like the US, but reversed? <BR> <BR>So, Bob, gaugeing our distance from the left hand kerb is no different to American's gauging their distance from the right hand kerb - right? (Do you call it the kerb, or the sidewalk?) <BR> <BR>Roundabouts are not a problem, once you're used to them. The key things to remember are that you go round them CLOCKWISE, and traffic already on the roundabout has the 'right of way'. When you approach the roundabout (you're on the left hand side of the road, remember), look to the right, as that's where the traffic is coming from! Wait for a gap, enter the roundabout, and then you have prioriry over other cars trying to enter the roundabout. <BR> <BR>Yes, some of the UK's country lanes are narrow, but UK cars are smaller than US cars, too. Just drive more slowly when the road is narrow and you'll be fine. <BR> <BR>On motorways, don't sit in the outside (right hand) of the three lanes, or someone in a Porsche will get right up behind you and start flashing his lights. This means 'get out of my way'! In the UK, we only overtake on the RIGHT (this goes for all roads), so on the motorway, keep as far left as you can. <BR> <BR>You really shouldn't need a 'watcher' - it's perfectly possible to drive a car on your own in the UK! <BR> <BR>The one thing you might have a problem with is driving a stick shift (if you're used to an automatic). To change gears, you have to disengage the engine using the clutch pedal (I guess automatics don't have a clutch). 'Clutch control' is traditionally the hardest thing for learner drivers to master. The trick is, to do it smoothly and quite slowly. Depress the pedal, move the gear lever, and release the pedal (2-3 seconds for the pedal to travel 4-6 inches, each time). Use the foot you use for the accelerator for this, as you shouldn't be accelerating when your clutch is down! The best advice is to get an automatic, if it's not too expensive, or practice clutch control for an hour or so before you start your first journey. Expect to 'kangaroo' (jump forward and then stall the engine) a few times before you get used to it! <BR> <BR>Happy driving!

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>Driving on the other side isn't hard at all. The first few hours you might be inclined to drift a bit, but you quickly get used to it. I went alone & the only thing I had to worry about was memorizing the road atlas before I took off as reading a map on the fly is not always a fun thing. (wait, what did that exit say? Oh bloody hell, I think that was the one I wanted… <BR> <BR>Gina meant - controls on the right, as in, driver sits on the right. however, the feet pedals are in the same position - otherwise it would be an adventure for an american to learn quickly! <BR> <BR>if you have NEVER ever driven a stick, I don't suppose it's time for you to learn on a vacation. if you are at least versed here on american cars, it really is no bother at all to figure out - you'd be amazed at how well your survival instinct works! one thing funny - at the time I rented, it had been a few years since I drove a standard... I jumped right back into the habit of it, with one odd thing - if I had to downshift quickly I would find myself clawing at the door handle, with the car in neutral, natch. (clutch in)... that only happened once or twice though. <BR> <BR>And as soon as I got home I dumped the automatic I was driving and went out and bought a proper car with a 5-speed transmission. (it’s a personal preference). <BR> <BR>One bit of advice, if you are a bit leery – to spread your wings, the first thing you should hit would be the ‘dual carriageways’ – much easier to learn on. Everyone is going a standard speed (very fast, to very very fast – but all fairly consistent) and you are less likely to encounter drivers coming at you from side streets. Pick it up from Heathrow or whatever and head way out of town. After a few hours on the main roads, you’ll be an old pro, overtaking everyone in your path. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR> <BR>Beth <BR>

JP

Tony mentioned Honda. I have rented other Japanese models in Britain and they HAVE had the turn signal and windshield wiper switches reversed. This caused me more trouble than anything else. It took a couple of weeks to really get used to it, and then that much time to get back to being used to my car once I got home. In the mean time I went around signalling a turn when it rained, and wiping my windshield as I went around corners. I'd suggest being sure that you're getting a British car (Ford, Vauxhaul). <BR> <BR>Other than that, I don't have much trouble driving in Britain (just look out for the dreaded triple roundabout of High Wycombe). I enjoy it so much that I think it has become one of the reasons I keep going back. Of course it's an advantage to me that I have always driven manual transmissions at home, too.

Charles

I have been told that British folks cycle alot and that can be a hazard. I imagine they must have special seperate lanes on the highways then? If not that must slow things up quite a bit. Also do US citizens need a different drivers’ license (international license) to drive in Britain? What bureau in Britain do you go to get that? Can you buy one at the airport on arrival?

Lori

You do not need a special license, just show the rental folks you license from whatever state you live in. Relax, it will all go well! Rent an automatic, don't start out with jetlag and stick to the main highways (dual carriageways) to start off - it is not as hard as you think it is, honest!!

Tony Hughes

Typically less than 1% of journeys now done using bicycle (this is UK average, obviously places like Oxford will be greater). Many cycle lanes provided to promote cycling, also many cycle/bus lanes to promote public transport over private vehicle. <BR> <BR>Britain suffers from being hilly and having poor-ish weather, always to the detriment of the cyclist. Just watch for them at intersections.

Rob

Had to laugh at JP's comment.... <BR>I had the same experience with the reversed turn signal/wipers. <BR> <BR>I remember being stopped at an intersection in downtown St. Andrews on an exceedingly sunny day and wanting to signal the turn --- wipe, wipe, wipe, as the locals crossing the street in front looked on in amusement. Doh!!!! <BR> <BR R.

Richard

Mr. Hughes, <BR>My reply to Charles was to relate, to him, my driving experience in the UK. Your unsolicited critique of my reply served no purpose.

rand

Interesting statistic Lori. This fall after returning, watching some of the sloppy drivers drifting across lanes, through lights etc. I kept thinking to myself 'that person would not make it 1 mile from the rental agency'. I guess that first mile sorts out those who can and those who can't. Years ago, booking a car through a travel agent, the agent said to me. "You don't want to drive over there. I was forced off a bridge into a river on the first day." So my thoughts are that driving is not for everyone. If a person is afraid that they could not cope, then maybe they should not try.

Tony Hughes

It always amuses me when someone gets humpty (annoyed) at my comments when driving is concerned. I remember doing a thesis which partly centered on this very aspect and it would appear that men see criticism of their driving skills in the same manner as criticism of the size of their genitalia. <BR> <BR>Richard, I dont want to encounter you reversing at speed out of a driveway or weaving all over the motorway because it's too hard to remember to pull over to the left. My response should make you think - 'hmm maybe I'll take some advice' - we dont want you in an accident because you 'forgot'.

Sheila

I'm still struggling with the concept of downtown St Andrew's <BR> <BR>Actually there was a very humourous thread on this a while back. I'll see if I can find it

Cindy

An additional disorienting factor is the tendency of Americans to be more cautious on a left hand turn at an intersection than a right-hand turn. In the U.K., these operations are reversed (if you know what I mean), so you have to remember that, on a right turn, you are crossing on-coming traffic and can be broadsided. That takes some getting used to.

Tony Hughes

Sheila <BR> <BR>One presumes from the West Port to Janettas?