To people in the UK- Do you think it would be hard for you to drive a car with the drivers side on the left?

Question

I am am American & i will be traveling to England & staying for quite some time. My only worry at this point is the driving. I dont know that i will be able to drive in a car with the drivers side on the right (lol). It will be a huge change for me & pretty wierd to be honest. We also drive on the opposite sides of the road here than you do over there. Ill probably get into an accident my first day! What about you all? Would it be strange for you to drive with the drivers seat on the left instead of the right? Im scared!

Answer 1

As much as anything the problem is that the mirror and handbrake and gears are swapped over as well so you need to get your coordination sorted out.  I have never driven in the states but you might find the roads narrower once you get off the beaten track - just keep your cool and be polite and most people will forgive you less you smash into them.  You will always get some irrate drivers but don't let them bother you.  I think given a couple of days you'll be fine.

Have a great time.

Answer 2

Dont panic you will not be the only one driving on the right all the cars are the same.

What you will find difficult is keeping up with the trafic not being able to overtake in any lane and turning corners and bends that will be a real challenge.

Answer 3

Make sure that you have someone else in the car with you as at times the brain gets muddled in which side of the road you need to be on - more difficult on quiet roads.  Turning right and going round a roundabout can be quite scary at times.  I have driven on the 'wrong side of the road' in Europe and America.  It was fine on a straight road, but a bit confusing at junctions.  Especially petrifying on those with no traffic lights and it was first to the junction goes first - it worked well, but I wasn't used to it! If you are on your own, perhaps you could persuade a friend, or someone from the car hire company to give you guidance.

Answer 4

I've never had a problem when driving in left-hand-drive cars, or in other countries where driving on the right is normal.

I've actually found that the hardest part to get used to is the position of the rear-view mirror, not the gearchange or anything else.

I've driven all combinations - RHD cars in RHD countries, RHD cars in LHD countries, LHD cars in LHD countries, and even LHD cars in the UK.

Answer 5

We try to be accomadeting in the UK so if you make a mistake, most of us just forgive the other driver and if not, explain that you're a learning a new way of driving. You might find even the lowest spec European car does strange thing in corners compared to its American counterpart. Because it will go round them. At speed if required. I've driven many American cars in the course of my work and thats always been my complaint; they only go fast in a straight line.

But you'll also find that most of whats available over here is only a variation of whats available over there, so don't worry.

But fetch plenty of warm clothing and waterproofs cos global warming hasn't hit the UK yet.

And welcome lol

Answer 6

Lots of foreign tourists seem to drive straight off the ferry with no trouble, just take your time to get acclimatised.

Answer 7

Yes, that would be very easy for the people of the UK.

Answer 8

Sparkle,

I can understand you being apprehensive however I am sure you have no need to worry and should be more confident in your own driving abilities.

Driving is pretty much the same the world over and I have driven in a few different countries without incident.

I have look through all your replies and every singly one gives sound advice that you could follow hat would increase your chances of an incident pleasurable driving experience in the UK.

You are pretty much doing your homework and trying to find out about driving in the UK and that shows a high degree of intelligence so I don't see you have any problems.

I sure for all the information provided you can draw up your own to do list that will help you become more confident.

The very best of luck during your visit and I am sure you will be able to adjust to the changing driving conditions just allow yourself the time to adjust.

I am sure you will Sparkle

Answer 9

it is strange but you should get used to it pretty quick, its just the same for us when we go over to europe.  dont be put off by it, go for it

Answer 10

I drive in Europe once a year with my own car which is right hand drive and I have no problems acclimatising to driving on the right hand side of the road and I am Seventy Seven.

Driving a right hand drive car in England should give you no problems, if you get an automatic life will be easier, all Mercedes saloons have a parking foot brake with a hand release under the dash on the right hand side which again would help. All vehicles that are right hand drive have the foot pedals in the same orientation as left hand drive vehicles. Just go steady until you feel confident and you will be OK.

As you will be driving a right hand drive vehicle on the left hand side of the road all the mirrors are set in your favour.Just enjoy your stay in our country.

Answer 11

You'll be fine after an hour or so.

And don't worry about getting involved in an accident.

We, in the U.K. are used to erratic driving being commonplace on our roads, due to the MASSIVE influx of our Eastern European immigrant friends, most of whom couldn't drive a greasy stick up their a rse, let alone a ******** car, to wit we have adapted a "defensive driving" technique, so we tend to avoid scrapes.

Unless, of course, you encounter one of the above mentioned persons.... in which case I'd steer clear... very few have any form of insurance, road tax, mot and probably no licence.Just let them pass, and be on your way.

Good luck.

Answer 12

First time I took my car over to Europe did 1200km without problems then hit another car as I reversed out of a parking space 500 yds from home on the day I got back.My first accident in 15 yrs.Have driven left hand drive  hire cars in various countries ,having the gear stick on the other side was the thing to get used to.Just  take it steady and give everyone a wide berth ,you`ll be OK.

Answer 13

You''l find it comes surprisingly easily after an hour or two, though you may be a little disconcerted to find most cars are manual (stick) shift. And actually handle quite well.

As you're going to be here some time, it would be helpful to read our Highway Code first and perhaps take a few lessons with a qualified driving instructor to "fine tune" your understanding.

You don't say how long you'll be here, but you might find this useful about the validity of your licence : http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/Motori...

And remember that valid insurance is required to cover you driving a particular car - it's not optional . . .

Answer 14

NO ITS EASY AS THE CAR IS THE OTHER WAY ROUND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME  TRUST ME YOULL SOON ADAPT, IN THE USA IT TOOK 5 MINS TO ADJUST IF YOUR NOT SURE BUY A McCLAREN THE STEERING WHEELS IN THE MIDDLE LOL

Answer 15

I owned a Bronco and a Trans am i love American muscle cars you will be amazed by the c**p standard of European cars we didn't get air con until the late eighties hope you don't suffer from claustrophobia lol

Answer 16

No problem, i drive a left hand drive alot of the time. swapping from one side to the other several times in the same day

Answer 17

I've driven LHD and RHD cars and adapting between the two is no problem. It takes no longer than getting used to any other unfamiliar vehicle.

Thing I find hardest to adapt to is remembering which door to get into to drive it when you come back to it in a car park! You can look a right idiot the first few times when you plonk yourself on the seat then realise steering wheel is on opposite side!

Answer 18

Many UK residents hire a  car when visiting the States with no problems after the first few hours. Some of the filtering lights will cause you problems but nothing major. We have difficulty understanding your right turn across traffic or whatever it was.

Welcome and have a good stay.

Answer 19

Hi, if you're really worried, it might be an idea to book a couple of driving lessons while you're here. Most driving schools run refresher or improver courses, & I'm sure there will be plenty of differences in rules of the road that it can't hurt to find out about in a safe way. Wait 'til you meet roundabouts!

Answer 20

=hello my friend ,on your visit which I hope you really enjoy take time prior to coming over to the UK, to acquaint your self with our road layouts

.I have driven overseas and after a very short time the change to the opposite side to what you are used to will become easy but the main answer I will give is for you to take it =nice and easy until you are confident= it should not take any length of time all the best, have good holiday.

Answer 21

ive driven left hand drive on UK roads and its not hard once you get used to it

apart from overtaking its not too bad

Answer 22

No problems at all, I live in the UK but every time while on holiday I rent a car ( left hand drive ) and its OK, what should bother you really driving in the UK is not just because the car is right hand drive, it is the way you turning to side roads or when you go to round about we watch the traffic coming from the right opposite what you're used to in the state, other than that you will be OK, don't drive a new fancy car in the beginning wait to get the hang of it first, goodluck.

Answer 23

I've driven right hand drive cars on the left and right hand drive cars on the right and left hand drive cars on the right and not hit anything - yet.

The big problem was right hand drive on the right. This makes it difficult to see round vehicles in front. Otherwise no problem but then I'm not an American!

RoyS

Answer 24

NO

I'd get used to it

Answer 25

I'm in the uk but i have driven in the us so i've had the reverse situation, On the motorways it wasn't a problem, took a bit of getting used to but i was fine with being in the wrong side of the car. being on the wrong side of the road was bad though and as for driving an automatic!!!! eek that was a nightmare. Oh and i'd never driven a petrol car either (i have diesel over here) but i still made it from NYC down to baltimore and back with me and car in 1 piece.

Answer 26

you will adjust in an hour or 2..........just stay focused and watch out when entering a roundabout