Renting a motorhome in England

Do you not have a WA license?

Yes, and have had one with NO infractions of any kind since 1972. Also in all of those years most of my cars have been standard transmissions (you can push start them)

So what is the difference between a motorhome and a caravan? What I have found looks to be a large van equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and bed/eating area. They show up on a search for motorhomes, and in communicating with the company are called motorhome. I'm glad to hear that one of the companies give their customers a 30 minute lesson before sending them on their way, it isn't mentioned by the other.

OK, so why do you need a British one?

I don't know that I do. Do I? That was my question. And if I don't, I would think that it wouldn't hurt to know the rules of the road. Is it confusing to be driving from the opposite side of the car, and on the opposite side of the road, and shifting with the opposite hand? Or do you get used to it quickly.

Ah, it looked liked your question was about getting a UK license. As long as your WA license is valid for the class of vehicle you are renting, and you are only in the UK for a few weeks, you will comply with the law. The concerns you wil, and should have are: motorhomes are pretty rare in the UK - much more popular are caravans. British roads are often very narrow with hedges or walls at the edge of the lane with no place for going off the road and no kerbs. If you have a vehicle or vehicle combination wider than usual you will find lanes that are too narrow for it, and if you just fit you will need to be able to pass traffic coming the other way by using lay-bys or off-roading. If a lane has overhanging trees and is not used by trucks or buses you may find that the low hanging branches are a bit low for the motorhome or caravan. Many railway bridges are one land wide arches which will require going through the centre on the dotted lines. If you get a queue of cars behind you the Highway Code requires you to move over and let them pass. Driving on the left and shifting with the left hand will be an adjustment but at the end of the day they will be much less of an adjustment than narrow lanes, steep hills and stone walls with tight corners in Yorkshire, passing on lanes and narrow low bridges.

A caravan is what we in North America call a travel trailer.. It is attached to your vehicle and you pull it.. A motorhome is just like we have in North America. The previous writer is correct about the roads being narrow..especially if you want to get off the motorways and be actually driving in the country on the A & B roads (smaller roads), which is best and where you feel part of the towns and country side you pass through. We have just come back from the UK and driving soon becomes second nature . When we first get our car my husband usually gets into the middle of the traffic lane and then marks a spot on the windshield that lines up with the line down middle of the road. This keeps the car in the middle of the lane as due to the narrow roads you have the tendency to get too far over to the left side as the oncoming traffic seems to close. If you go for a motor home a smaller one may be more comfortable to drive. It is a great way to see the country and have your home on your back as it were. You just need to take your regular driving license with you but do read up on the rules of the road..and don't forget.. it you miss your exit in a roundabout, just go round again.