Driving Lesson in Bath

There’s a massive shortage of driving instructors nationwide and most are fully booked which is probably why you’re having problems. All I can suggest in calling absolutely all of them. If you’ve done that I think you’re probably just going to be out of luck.

Driving on the ‘other side’ of the road is actually not that hard. I’d just have a go as long as you’re not going to try it IN Bristol. The traffic is appalling and you may never recover.

Two years ago, my sisters and I picked up a rental car in Bath. It was un-nerving at first but not that bad. It was helpful that someone else was providing directions as I concentrated on the road and the signs. If driving in Bath, watch for the one lane specific for buses. I actually did not catch that I was in the bus lane and I got a ticket. Not that I am trying to make you nervous but just be aware. Also, spend a little time becoming familiar with the car turn signals, brake, etc. when picking up the car. My recommendation is to go slow and steady. And you will do find. P.S. I hope it is an automatic car. It might be a little more cost but worth it.

Bus lanes are now very common in cities and are marked on the road with an associated blue (I think) sign at the side of the road showing what days/times the bus lane is in force - the periods of applicability can vary even over short distances so best to keep out of them until you're confident on the roads.

As with many speed limits, breaking the rules on bus lanes are enforced by cameras rather than by an officer on the spot. The enforcement authority sends the ticket to the car's owner using the number plate. For hire firms, this will often men that by the time the ticket gets to you any early-payment discount will have lapsed AND they'll apply a hefty 'Administration Fee' for the few seconds it takes them to take more money off of your credit card.

I found driving on the 'wrong side of the road' in Europe and the US was OK provided I was in a car that had the steering wheel on the wrong side - you naturally want to position yourself to be able to see ahead. I would get an automatic (not the default). If you are not familiar with roundabouts, be aware that you'll come across a lot of these. I believe there are you tube videos on how best to navigate them. Having a good SatNav or Google Maps with the sound on will help as it will guide you to the correct lane as you enter the roundabout.

I found the online driving course from tripiamo very helpful. They have videos going over UK driving rules and walking you through driving in various scenarios. It is paid but I found it worthwhile.

why pay for an online course? There is a paperback book called "The Highway Code" which all new drivers in UK basically have to learn before they can go very far into lessons. But that is also available free on the internet (although I find the book easier to use...). www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code US visitors need to pay special attention to lane discipline, motorway driving and roundabouts. And the kerbside markings (yellow or red) for parking restrictions. Also pay attention to the vocabulary - for example, the subtle difference between "must" and "should if possible". Many of the rules are legal requirements but some is only official advice. The difference being that if you ignore official advice and it goes wrong you set yourelf up for prosecution under some generlaised law, but if it doesn't go wrong there is no offence. There are also a few Youtube videos, especially for Americans and roundabouts!

But we still come back to the mental problem. If you can sit in a RHD car, with your door next to your right shoulder and the gear shift/ parking brake next to your left hand, and possibly someone else sitting further to your left, and your brain still can't take that as a reminder of which side of the road you should be on, then there is something much deeper to deal with.

I'm trying not to be rude but if you need for help to "learn to navigate on the left-hand side of the road" this goes beyond a driving instructor,...

Im going to agree with Another Steve's sentiment. I've long questioned the wisdom of planning trips to a foreign country with driving as a main mode of transportation. Not just the operation of a motor vehicle but, the local laws and customs, the signage, or road markings. Roundabouts are much more common and cyclists are more common on the roads in the UK. Then layer it all with RHD and left lanes.

Thinking about taking a professional driving lesson in the UK is a commendable thing to do. Really responsible idea and it would be good if others could think about it too if they've got a bit of driving to do in the UK.

I'm not sure how much I can help. I'm surprised that an instructor wouldn't take that sort of thing on. Many driving schools are a "one man band" type of small business and my instinct would be that an hour of the basics would be be fairly easy for them. Have you attempted to contact any driving schools? I'd have thought that some at least would be able to help you out if you explain you're visiting and would like the basics of safe driving on the left.

I'll link to my Google search for Bath. It would be worth emailing some on that list to see if they would book a lesson for you. Remember to state automatic. I wouldn't recommend a manual at all, unless you are driving a small manual car every single day back home.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/veqmaW66QMj2qMvHA

Rather than a paid online course, some searches on Youtube bring up lots of results to learn about driving in the UK. Off the top of my head, Ashley Neal is a driving instructor who makes good Youtube videos. Once you watch one or two of his, I'm sure Youtube will recommend more.