Rental car in UK - first timer at left side driving

Safety of it? It's as safe as driving on the right!

The benefit is that the journey will be predominantly on motorways which will make it easier for first time drivers as you can sit in the inside lane allowing others to pass you whilst you get used to the layout and controls. Bear in mind however that Stansted to Liverpool is over 4 hours driving.

Personally I can pick up a car in the US, Spain, France etc and get straight on the roads with no problem but everyone's different. Automatics are a lot easier, I've lost count of the number of times I've reached for the gearstick and grabbed nothing but air.

One thing I will say and it's not because I'm biased but British drivers do tend to be more courteous and less aggressive. Lane discipline on the whole is good and there is far less erratic driving than in other countries which for a first time driver makes for a less stressful time.

I've driven in France for 30 years, but when we've gone to England, we've always stuck to public transport, because I did not want to try driving on the "wrong" side. Some people might have no problem, but I remember my one experience driving on the left, many years ago on a motor scooter in the Bahamas. I recall one incident where I arrived at an intersection, turned, and realized that I had looked the wrong way. If a car had been there, it would have been all over.

If you're a reasonably good driver, you shouldn't have too much problem driving on the left side of the road. Just look to changing sides as another adventure in travel.
I've had no problems over the years converting. But I would never allow my wife to drive over there as she's a marginal driver even at home.

For me, it was a two-person job. I drove, and my daughter (12) kept reminding me to "drive left!!" But we did survive a week, and except for a few times turning into a parking lot and scaring the driver coming out on the correct side it was enjoyable. Automatic, not stick, though (and I drove stick at home all the time.)

What time does our plane get in? Train tix from London to Liverpool on Sept. 6 are not bad (£17-£42) in the early afternoon and again after 6 pm.

As for driving on the left, it depends on your mindset as well as proficiency with a stick shift, as you generally cannot be guaranteed an automatic transmission. Shifting with the left hand adds another layer of complexity to staying on the left side of the roads.

Generally the turns and the roundabouts are the toughest places and it helps to have a navigator who can remind the driver to "stay tight"on a left turn and "swing wide" (into the far lane) on a right turn. That was my job on a recent trip in New Zealand (where rental cars are automatic). My husband drove and I was the "reminder". No actual problems, but even in New Zealand on low-traffic roads with an automatic car, driving was very stressful for both of us, and we limited it to a few (3 maximum) hours each day.

I have both friends and close family members who drove rental cars in Ireland or Scotland and found it so hard on their marriage they have vowed to never do that again. Our recent trip around the UK was with one of those couples, and we happily rode trains from London up to and around Scotland, then to Wales and down to Cornwall. All stress-free.

I've done it several times with no problem. If you are anxious, why bother? What rates are you finding for the train trip from London to Liverpool?

I agree with the passenger reminding to keep left, especially at intersections

After years of riding shotgun and navigating for my husband (because I genuinely was afraid to drive on the left) this spring I had to make a quick decision to take over the driving when I realized my friend who had agreed to drive was a nervous wreck and it was sucking the joy out of her trip. I was surprised how easily I took to it. What helped: an automatic, a GPS, a calm friend riding shotgun to read road signs, and picking up and returning the car to the outskirts of Oxford. All our driving was in the Cotswolds with one unexpected detour through the middle of downtown Oxford. The hardest part was busy roundabouts with multiple exits. I could not watch road, traffic, and GPS all by myself. The driving was much easier than I expected, BUT I think I'm a calm, decisive driver anyway, and I live in Atlanta with lots of rude, crazy drivers. You know your skill level, but it may be easier than you anticipate.

I will repeat and add to others' experiences. I have driven in the UK several times, with only a little trepidation. We do rent a manual transmission, which I have been driving my entire life, so I'm very comfortable with that. Maybe it's because I'm left-handed, but I didn't have any issues with shifting with my left hand.

I agree strongly with the advice to have a helper who navigates reminds the driver the driver to "stay left" at critical times, such as turning right.

moore,

I've found that driving on the "correct side of the road" is not too difficult, but it's necessary not to lose concentration and forget where you're driving. I usually travel solo, so don't have the benefit of a "navigator" to assist. I do use a GPS and have found that invaluable however it's important not to trust the stupid machine implicitly as it does make mistakes. I'm constantly checking it against road signs and landmarks.

You'll need to give some thought to the protocol for roundabouts and other things that are unique to the U.K. For example, it's common here to make a right turn on a red light. DON'T do that in the U.K. Also, you'll have to be aware of the Zebra crossing rules - http://www.2pass.co.uk/crossing.htm#.WX-Xl4qQzuM .

Here are a couple of websites that might help.....

• https://www.visitbritainshop.com/world/articles/guide-to-driving-in-the-uk/
• http://orcutt.net/weblog/2013/03/15/driving-in-the-uk-a-survival-guide-for-americans/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83fn_DAItBA

As someone else mentioned, you may end up with a manual transmission, so you'll have to get used to shifting with your left hand.

There are a number of nice UK driving schools that have put videos up on Youtube explaining UK driving laws and norms. At the least, watch one or two that explain roundabout rules as the instructor drives through them because there's a certain rule and rhythm to right of way and lane choice that takes a bit of getting used to. (And yes, a navigator calling out 'right turn; third exit' and such does typically help the driver concentrate on traffic laws and other cars and get through the circle safely)

I'll also note that many Welsh country roads are quite narrow, so go with the smallest car class you can fit your stuff into. But we love the freedom of self-driving and ability to just leave our things in the boot/trunk compared to having to deal with bus schedules and constant luggage-wrangling, and you do get used to staying left fairly quickly.

Also be aware most rentals in Europe, including Britain, are manual transmission. Many young people now don't know how to drive a stick shift. You can get a rental with automatic transmission, but it will be pricey.

Your co-pilot will need to be "on duty" at all times if you've never driven on the left before. Roundabouts can be tricky, sometimes you may end up going around 2 or more times to be able to scoot out at the correct exit.

Don't think that renting the car at Stansted and dropping it in Liverpool will cost less than train tickets. There's likely to be a (maybe large) drop fee. You need to price everything both ways with all taxes, etc. to be sure.

"Does one's mind quickly adjust?" I moved to Australia when I was 26 and it took a whole year for me to be able to drive on the left without complete concentration every second. So, no, it's not a quick adjustment. At least it wasn't for me.

And at age 26 it must be a whole lot easier to adjust than later, like age 45+.

Regardless of the ease or lack of ease of staying alert 100% of the time and positioning the car safely during that time, the biggest hurdle I would see as a local who hates the M6 is that you are arriving at an airport from which getting anywhere by car is difficult and then you need to get to Birmingham and then onto the bugbear of the M6 all the way to Liverpool. Better you than me!

The traffic on the M6 can simply be awful. No two ways about it. Whether it is the invariable accident south of Crewe or the "improvements" of the installation of so-called smart highway near Birmingham the odds of you driving though with good traffic are next to nil.

A couple of possible routes occur to me if you continue to insist on driving this bit - Stansted to M25 to M1 to M6 at the Catthorpe Interchange, then either M6 all the way to nearly Liverpool or M6 to M6-Toll back to the M6. Or Stansted to M25 to M40 to either M42 east to M6 then above or M42 west to M5 to M6.

Me? Train.

Rent an automatic, if you can. Keep alert. If your hometown doesn't have traffic circles, look for advice on their use before you go. Mentally address making turns, etc before you go; sit on a chair and pretend. Ensure that your first run is in daylight. Have passenger watch the left side of the car, you may be much closer to parked cars and obstacles, than you think. We said "curb" firmly to advise. Watch your speed as you use intersections, so your brain can process what to do. Find the yellow stripe and drive next to it; your brain will quickly adapt. The British have been doing it for years-- you'll be ok!

I agree with others, it is wonderful to have a companion that will calmly tell you to keep left, or your are in the wrong lane. Calm is the key! Not a good idea to have someone shouting at you. My husband and I rented a car. I said I would drive, if he would navigate. With him along there is never any need for gps, I don't know how he does it. ;) I am not a nervous, anxious driver, and I can't navigate, so therefore I was designated driver. We did rent a manual, I am left handed, however, I am seriously right side dominate. I had no problem shifting since the gears are in the same confirguartion as in US. That, to me, is what made it easier to shift, plus having plenty of prior experience with manual transmission. We were in the Cotswold, which made the learning curve not quite as stressful as it would have been in a more urban setting.

I have driven a rental car (always automatics) in England for some 20 years. I was very nervous the first time but found it not as bad as I had expected. The mechanics of driving and turning did not feel different even though the steering wheel is on the right. It will help that you will have a navigator. Now (after 20 years of renting cars in England), I find that my biggest challenge remains narrow parking spaces. In a parking lots, I always try to park where there is an empty space on either the left or right. The speed limits are strictly enforced by speed cameras. Even if you know how to drive a stick shift transmission, I would absolutely rent an automatic in England, even though that will cost more.

Lola, they are going to LIVERPOOL, port city, Northwest England, birthplace of Beatles etc.

Liverpool St is a railway station in the London financial district where Stansted Express trains end!

Forgetting which side you should be on is a big problem. In the wilds of Scotland where tourists outnumber the trees they have painted warnings on the road at known trouble spots. And how do they know where those are? Simple, it's the fuel and rest stops.

Foreign drivers start nervous, they keep telling themselves to drive on the left and so they do. After an hour or so they relax and start enjoying the journey. Another hour or so later they need a break. They get back to the car without any worries - and promptly forget where they are!!! Make some form of reminder that you can't drive with and fasten it to the steering wheel everytime you park.

Oddly, we rarely hear british tourists saying they had a problem changing sides when they went abroad. My theory is that it's something to do with the left/right side brain functions.

On the subject of foreign driver,s be careful of passing trucks with foreign plates (UK rear plates are yellow) other than Irish (should have IRL national markers by number). There are many trucks from mainland europe on our roads and the drivers are sitting left side so can't see what's passing them on the right as well as they should.

Route Tip: DO NOT plan a route that uses the M6 near Birmingham, by late afternoon it is often chaos and has some of the most confusing intersections in britain. Head for East Midlands Airport (but don't go in), just north is the A50, follow that west until the A500 and then go north to reach the M6 north of Stoke on Trent. Although it looks on a map that you are going way off course it is only a couple of miles further.