Driving in england/Wales/

Some people have little to no trouble others struggle. If you can have a travel partner to navigate it will help. The thing is the steering wheel is on the right which keeps you oriented. Also, if you are driving standard, the shift lever is on the left. Happily the pedals are the same in both right hand and left hand drive. Personally, I got comfortable pretty quickly, but then decided that I did need to fight cockiness and worked to remind myself where I was whenever I got in the car. Pam

Just want you to know there are alternatives... We love the trains in the UK. Other than the Cotswolds and parts of the Highlands of Scotland, the UK is generally well served by their rail system. I'd rather let someone else do the "driving and navigating" and let me enjoy the scenery. Gas (petrol) is very expensive. Parking is scarce and usually expensive. And many of the places we like to visit don't allow cars in the areas we are interested in (old town/center city...). Also, you aren't tempted to leave your luggage in the trunk and risk a break in with the train...(LoL).

I probably had it easier since my first car experience for several days was as passenger in my brothers car (a standard American left drive vehicle) so I was able to get the vantage point as "driver" plus see how the round-abouts work, what lane markings meant, etc. When I did get behind the wheel of a rental car, the stick shift was a bit getting used to (had not even driven a manual in a while) but overall it was easy to catch on to driving. The one difficult habit to break though is when at a crossroads with no round-about, I always had the tendency to head to the wrong lane when turning. Remembering to turn into the near lane when turning left (since you would turn into the far lane in the US) was difficult. My wife finally got to reminding me whenever we pulled up to a stop sign.

Great information and appreciate your sharing this information. First time to post questions and quick response, for that I thank you. Exciting travels to all. Jeff

One driving thought that always helps me is, 'the driver is always to the center of the road.'

The hardest thing for me to remember was to stay to the left when turning into an undivided driveway, like at a gas station. And remember to look to the right first when pulling out, as that is the oncoming lane.

Keep the ideas coming. I will add them all together and maybe can publish "Tips for Left Lane Driving Countries." :)

Before my first trip I read a suggestion that you remove the left side hubcaps from your rental car. I found this to be excellent advice because judging my distance from the sometimes steep curbs was difficult and I brushed them several times.

Most people seem to adapt well. It helps to have a navigator with you to help. Its a lot easier when there are other cars on the road, or the road has center dividers or lines. Its easier to drift to the wrong side when you are on the small country roads, but then you are driving slow enough that you can usually take evasive action. I have often found that I have a tendency to drive on the British side on my first few days back in California. (thats not a problem, we all drive crazy here)

It's so easy to drive in the UK. Arrange to pick up the car in a smaller town/village so you won't have to worry about a lot of traffic getting out of town. The "A" roads are the larger roads, "B" roads are smaller and at time narrow roads...but fun to drive. The roundabouts are fun, remember the cars in the roundabouts have the right away, and you can go around the roundabout as many times as you have to until you know which exit you want.

Jeff, I haven't found it too difficult driving in the U.K., but it does require the driver to be focused at ALL times so that one doesn't "revert to habit". A few suggestions: > Especially for the first visit, I'd suggest booking long in advance so that you'll be able to obtain a vehicle with auto transmission. > Take a few minutes to become familiar with the car and layout of controls before leaving the rental agency. That way you can ask questions if necessary. > Be sure to get adequate CDW insurance, and inspect the vehicle carefully before starting. > Review the rules for driving in the U.K. (see website links below). For example, many jurisdictions here allow a right turn on red if safe to do so. AFAIK, the same rule doesn't apply in the U.K. for left turns on a red light. > Be very careful with parking, so that you don't come back to the vehicle and find "The Boot" applied. > Allow for travel to take longer than expected (sometimes much longer!). Many roads are narrow and you won't be able to travel at the same speeds as in this part of the world. > Be sure to invest in a good Map or possibly pack along a GPS equipped with European maps. I generally try to use rental cars "strategically" to cover places that aren't well served by public transport, or to allow travel to fit my schedule at times not covered by Buses or Trains. I prefer to drive in the less populated areas of the U.K. and leave the car parked in the cities. You might find it helpful to have a look at This site or This site. Happy travels!

Since it's a potential safety issue, I'll be the contrarian and mention that a number of people posting here, over the years, have found driving with everything reversed to be a bit of a challenge, or maybe even a wee bit more than a challenge. I agree with Pamela and the very few others ("Some people have little to no trouble others struggle") and the very few others on this thread who suggest that some people actually find that driving with everything reversed may not have enhanced the enjoyment of their vacation experience to the UK, especially when traveling in areas of the UK where driving is not necessary. People how have found it challenging tend not to drive there and probably tend not to answer a question like this one.

While it is true that the petrol costs more than it does in the USA, it doesn't always mean the driving is way more expensive. The VW Passat diesel that we rented in York got over 60 miles to the gallon as we drove it around Scotland this past summer. Since our own Honda CRV gets about 25 mpg, the two vehicles actually cost about the same to drive....The rental car came with several large scratches. While these weren't an issue with Hertz, it is a good idea to take a photo of these when you pick up the rental car....My left-handed husband prefers driving in the UK and Ireland to driving here.

"While it is true that the petrol costs more than it does in the USA" -- yep, looks like about $7 to $7.50 per gallon, according to a website on average prices (after adjustments are made for liters and the exchange rate).

"the controls are reversed" too true
I had one car where whenever I needed to get into reverse in a hurry (an elephant approaching too close) i turned on the windscreen wipers. As someone said above- become familiar with the controls, and stay away from elephants

It isn't all that difficult. 1000s of Americans do it every year and 1000s of Brits and Aussies do it in reverse here. It takes concentration as someone mentioned, particularly in the beginning. The first few minutes can be a bit nerve-wracking, then one gradually gets accustomed to it. I've driven in the UK many times; something I still do before leaving the parking lot is sit behind the wheel and visualize being on the left side out on the road and making turns. The first time you should practice shifting and of course know the controls before hitting the road. You can save money with stick shift if you're comfortable with it. The gears are in the same order, so it's just a matter of using the left hand which is another good reminder as to which side to stay on when making a turn. For driving in cities and large towns and for plotting routes, GPS is very useful. A large scale AA map book is a must even with GPS. The point about cost per mile is a good one. Whenever I've checked it, my driving costs in the UK have been no more or even less than driving at home because of much higher fuel efficiency vehicles.

Tex makes a good point about an AA large atlas. Money saving tip, don't buy it at the WH Smiths in the airport or big cities, don't buy it at the petrol station. Either way, unless they're having a clearout you will pay £10 or £15. Find a clearance bookstore in most shopping malls, high streets, etc, or occasionally a car parts store where they will sell boxes of last year's one (still plenty good) for £2 or £3. All the new ones show speed camera locations (yes, you too), and they show London's version of the dreaded ZTL, the Congestion Charge Zone. Venture into there M-F and you will incur a Massive charge from the cameras if you don't pay on the day you go into it. Remember that the speed limit outside of built up areas unless marked otherwise is 60 on single lane roads. No matter how small the road. And yes, on lanes narrower than your car you can sometimes find some idiot coming towards you at that speed who expects you to jump into the next layby or passing point to get out of his way, never the other way about.

I haven't found driving on the left especially stressing. Ease yourself into by starting away from congested urban areas (this means don't pick up a rental at Heathrow or Gatwick). Try to get an automatic. That will eliminate one source of confusion: Trying to shift with your left hand. Try to become familiar with UK road signs and markings before you start driving there. As others have said, parking can be scarce. City centers are often pedestrian areas that allow no vehicles. Gas is not cheap and some service stations are automated and take only a European chip-and-pin credit card, which you will not have. That said, driving on the "B" roads is without doubt the best way to see the British countryside, short of long distance hiking. Get very detailed maps and don't be afraid of getting lost. Might want to carry a phone, too, just in case.

Jeff, It's a piece of cake and a lot of fun. Ken is right..try to book as far in advance as you can to get an automatic. I use Kemwel and also get my GPS thru them. Take a road atlas to see where you're going and the GPS to get you there. Right hand turns are sometimes the hardest but just remember "keep left".