I am going to the UK and will rent a car there. I know the steering wheel is on the opposite side and thus one would have to shift with ones left hand. My question is have they also reversed the pedals so that one needs to accelerate with the left foot and brake and shift with the right. May sound stupid but I think that would make a big difference on whether to get a manual or automatic car.

The answer is NO.

The pedals are arranged just like any other car; just transposed from the left to the right side of the vehicle. The gear stick is on your left. The gear pattern is still the same as you are used to. The only difficulty is getting your left hand to do the shifting. For the first little bit, you have to think about it -- and this may result in some "coffee grinding" noises on occasion.

No problem. You will do fine.

There shouldn't be any 'coffee grinding' noises if you've got the clutch down!!!!!

The position of reverse varies from manufacturer to manufacturer as well.

Same as in the U.S. except you shift with your left hand. I had problems finding reverse. I was thinking push down or pull up, but it was that darn ring at the base of the shift knob.

I had no problems at all shifting with the left hand -- of course, I am left-handed, so maybe that helped!

Gas and brake pedals are in the same relationship. Unless you drive a standrd all the time do yourself a favor and rent an automatic. (Gear shift patterns are NOT all the same - and unless you're driving standard every day - I believe less than 15% in the US - doing it lefty can be very traumatic.)

Thanks for all the advise. Look for me tooling down M4 on my way to Windsor on that Tuesday night in May. Then again if you hear of a mojor tie up on that road you may know who to blame

Peace

okminty

Gear boxes are spring loaded to the three/four slot to prevent you from accelerating from one to two to ONE. This means you have to physically push left to get from one to two and not end up going from one to four. Since I am used to older machinery, that caught me unawares the first time.