Germany by rental car - for a right hand steer driver

Posted by praveenroam on 01/10/16 06:45 PM

I am planning to Germany - Bavaria, Castles, Romantic Road (Munich, fussen, ettal, oberammergau, Rothenburg) - in Aug 2016. In my country - India - we drive with right side steer (similar to UK/Australia).

What challenges I might face, when switched to left hand steer driving? What tips you want to provide me? Considering the above route is best covered by car and given my shift from right to left steer - is it advisable to continue with my plan or just drop it and plan for bus coach tour.

Note: I am planning to rent automatic car, to avoid gear problem, due to switch from right to left hand steer.

Posted by Anita

Long Beach, California, USA

01/10/16 08:10 PM

3398 posts

When I go from the US (left hand drive) to the UK or other parts of the world that are right hand, I have a two things that I always do to get started.

1) I pay a cab driver to drive me around for about 30 minutes to get the feel for being on the "other" side of the car (and the road for me!) and I pay attention to the differences as he/she drives. I also ask questions about rules of the road for that country.
2) When I finally get the car I will be driving, I always pick it up in a place that is quiet, suburban, or rural. That way I can practice driving out of heavy traffic, in a place where I have the space to learn. I practice corners, go in and out of parking lots, and practice parking a few times. Once I feel I am ready, I then get onto more busy roads or motorways and I'm on my way!

I find that it really doesn't take all that long to get used to being on the "other" side of the car. You are smart to rent an automatic...that makes it all the more easy to learn!
Good luck!

Posted by Irv

Beverly Hills, MI

01/10/16 08:31 PM

813 posts

As suggested above, picking the car up outside the center of a big city is a good idea. When we went to the UK, we got our car at Heathrow and although it sounds a bit strange traffic-wise, it gets you on an open road very quickly and you have a low stress period to get used to being on the 'other side'. Getting an automatic is definitely a good move. My big problems were remembering where to look for the inside rear view mirror and making right angle intersection turns. In the case of the turns., it is easy to lapse back to old habits and end up in the oncoming traffic lanes. It really helps to have a good front seat navigation who will shout out "Keep Left!"

Posted by MC-Glasgow

Glasgow, Scotland

01/10/16 08:41 PM

1692 posts

The best advice for people switching to the left applies in reverse. Take care, take time. Remember the controls will be by your right hand and the difficult moves will be turning left. And on multi lane roads keep to the right as much as possible, this especially applies on the autobahn.

One thing you will encounter is the priority to the right rule, at unmarked junctions vehicles to the right have priority.