Driving in the UK (vs. the US)

[Fingolfin269]

We're heading to the UK in June for a couple of weeks. About half the trip will be in Scotland. We're going to be staying in Edinburgh and will eventually want to leave the city to see some of the countryside. I've looked into doing some tours and they're kind of pricey. We may still do one or two but I'm now actually considering the idea of renting a car (the place we're staying is an apartment with a garage). It would be to mainly see some of the castles and the highlands as well as take a day trip over to St. Andrews.

So here's what I'm wondering. Have any of you had experience driving in the UK (UK folks don't count!)? How long did it take to adjust? I'm thinking from a price perspective it's probably a much better idea to rent a car but I've been over there on business before and it feels pretty intimidating sitting in the passenger seat. All the signs are different, roundabout into roundabout into roundabout, traffic flowing in the other direction, etc. I don't expect this complexity in the countryside but it's still a concern.

What does ATOT think?

Also, the second half of the trip will be in London so we'll just be using public transit there.

 

[xanis]

Haven't had any experience with it personally, but it's something I'd like to do at some point. I'm interested as well to hear what it's like going from LHD to RHD.

 

[highland145]

~15 years ago, 2 weeks, 2K miles in the rental van. Mostly Scotland. You could spend 3 days in Edinburgh alone. Don't go to the Isle of Sky...looks close on the map but you can't get there from anywhere.

"Here's your keys. Have a nice day."

No training, no pics/meaning of road signs, miles or km/hr, etc, etc.....
"Nope. Have a nice day."

Roundabout signs say "give way." Glad the locals did because I came on through.

Got used to it fairly quickly. Or they're used to tourists. Don't give cabbies your credit card #.

 

[WelshBloke]

I know that you didn't want UK people commenting but I will anyway.

I drive in Europe sometimes and they drive on the same side as you guys and it takes me about 20 minutes or two or three roundabouts to get used to it.

And that's driving a UK car, it's a lot easier if the driver's seat is on the correct side for the country.

In short, if you're a half way competent driver you should be fine. :thumbup:

 

[yuchai]

It wasn't the UK, but I drove in Ireland earlier this year and they also drive on the left. The adjustment really wasn't bad - I pretty much got used to it during the first day. The bigger problem for me was the narrow and windy roads and the speed at which the Irish drive on them.

 

[OlafSicky]

I couldn't get used to it. It was worse while driving at night too. Some people adjust without any problems I wasn't one of them.

 

[Fayd]

i havent driven in the UK, but i did watch top gear. doesn't look too hard

 

[WelshBloke]

Ooh, ask for an automatic if that's what your used to as well, standard is manual over here.

 

[Black Octagon]

You'll be fine. I grew up in Australia was just like that. Maybe UK had slightly narrower streets.

I now live in Europe and changing the side of the street that you drive on us weird at first but you adapt quickly. Just take it slow and easy

 

[Chapbass]

Ooh, ask for an automatic if that's what your used to as well, standard is manual over here.

While I drive a manual car myself....shifting with the other hand would totally fuck with me...

 

[Mark R]

Just bear in mind that in Scotland, unless you're taking the motorways which really only go between the major cities, even the main roads tend to be narrow and winding, and one lane each direction with lots of farm traffic. You'll want to familiarize yourself with the car and driving on the other side, as you'll likely want to do a lot of overtaking, or you'll get frequently overtaken by people familiar with the roads and taking them at high speed.

If you intend to drive up to the highlands, as soon as you get off the main roads, the small roads (e.g. to various Lochs) often become one-lane only and may only be partially-paved. Plan your road trip carefully - use google street view - you may want a 4WD vehicle.

 

[WelshBloke]

While I drive a manual car myself....shifting with the other hand would totally fuck with me...

Nah, It's not too bad. The pedals are the same, that would be the tricky bit!

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Rent a car with a GPS, and use the Rick Steves guide.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Sounds good guys. Looks like I may do a rental for a couple of days instead of paying for a bus tour. Should make it a little more of an adventure. Tight roads shouldn't bother me too much after driving some of the Maui roads but the opposite side of the road deal is more of the concern. And yeah I'll probably ask for an A/T. I can drive a manual just fine but that would be one less thing to worry about at least.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Since you're from the US, you're allowed to drive on the right/correct side of the road... ignore any honking/cursing you hear. That's just the locals saying "Hi".

 

[Exterous]

My vote would be for an automatic even after having driven there before. I just don't think I could get used to shifting with my other hand easily. I thought the lane adjustment was much easier than I thought. All you need to remember is keep yourself (as the driver) closest to the center line

The adjustment really wasn't bad - I pretty much got used to it during the first day. The best part for me was the narrow and windy roads and the speed at which the Irish drive on them.

FTFY. I had a lot of fun driving in Ireland. The Irish are very nice drivers too - always getting over for faster cars. I wish Americans could understand this simple concept A word of advice though - for Ireland and Scotland - when they say 'Sharp turn ahead' or the like - pay attention. Their turns don't fuck around...

Oh and I hope you like round-abouts!

 

[Apathetic]

I recommend looking into getting an international drivers licence (you can get one from AAA for next to nothing if you're a member). If I remember correctly, you can drive in the UK without one but it can be difficult to rent a car without one.

It's been a long time since I've driven in the UK so this may no longer be true. Can anyone confirm this?

Dave

 

[highland145]

I recommend looking into getting an international drivers licence (you can get one from AAA for next to nothing if you're a member). If I remember correctly, you can drive in the UK without one but it can be difficult to rent a car without one.

It's been a long time since I've driven in the UK so this may no longer be true. Can anyone confirm this?

Dave

AAA said we had to have one...$50 later...turns out we didn't. Rental company just wanted a valid license.

 

[Fern]

I've driven around England/Scotland. Yeah, it's a bit uncomfortable, particularly at first. But the most difficult thing was driving in high traffic with large intersections in London. But sounds like that won't be a problem for you.

I've had other Americans friends get in wrecks there. The problem is your instincts. When you're going down one of those narrow winding roads it's very easy to jerk your car to the right (the wrong instinct) when another vehicle comes suddenly flying around a curve heading for you. Be careful of that.

Fern

 

[blackdogdeek]

It wasn't that bad. Thankfully, pedals are where you expect them. The shifting with the opposite hand did take some time but not as much as you'd expect.

Here's the things I think you should concentrate on:

1. Whenever I drove on the A roads I kept drifting to the left side of my lane because I was physically used to being on the left hand side of the lane from driving in the US and being on the left hand side of the car
2. Roundabouts were probably the most complex obstacle to master but even they weren't that bad
3. The transition from A roads to multi-lane city roads is freaky because the lanes get crazy thin but everyone still drives like they are on the A roads.

 

[skyking]

Wife and I did this in '09.
I rented a Ford Mondeo TDI 6 speed and did all the driving. We went up from Manchester on M6 and then skirted Glascow on the way to Loch Lomand.
Went up the the lake, out to Fort William, then across the hills to the east and down the valley to Pitlochry, out across Angus out to Arbroath, down across the Tay bridge to St. Andrews, then on down to Edinburgh.
The shifting was not too bad to get used to. The roundabouts were new to me, not many yet in the West. Scottish roads were narrow. On the A889 across the hills, the road narrowed up until they simply took out the centerline and posted signs "approaching cars may be in your lane" or something to that effect. Fortunately there was little traffic. That road was fabulous.
I observed that when you approach a lorry ( truck ) on the road, he will flash the left signal as if to pull over, whenever you are clear to pass. Once I figured that out, I would do the same for the locals who wanted to haul ass when I wanted to look about the country. Got many a wave or thumbs up for that.
We parked the car at a B&B on the outskirts of Edinburgh, and took the bus in over a couple of days. That was the way to do it IMO. Everything there, all the tours are geared for that. Parking would be a real PITA in town.

 

[RocksteadyDotNet]

Man, if I had to go to America or Europe and drive on the wrong side of the road it would do my head in.

It's crazy that you do it with just your current home country license.

 

[Gerle]

Not the UK, I did live in Japan for four years, left hand driving there too. It was pretty easy, adjusting to them as well as coming back here. I think it was easy mainly because you just mimic what others do, the hard part is actually when there is no traffic, you might very well find yourself on the wrong side of the road since there are few clues to show you that you are doing something wrong. Until another car shows up, that is! The turn signals/wipers will get you!

 

[Xcobra]

It's not so bad actually. The roundabouts here sorta fucked with me at first but since I hadn't been through many in the US, I got used to them quick. Drivers are crazy here too!

 

[Oyeve]

Since you're from the US, you're allowed to drive on the right/correct side of the road... ignore any honking/cursing you hear. That's just the locals saying "Hi".

:biggrin: