Driving in the UK for the first time - See what I did to make the transition easier.

I drove in the UK for the first time. So I figured I would bring y'all along to see what it's like to drive on the left side of the road. See what I did to make the transition easier.

Click here to see my "Driving in the USA for the first time"

Find more practical European traveling tips at:

Shot on Canon G7X and Sony AS30

Help with planning a trip to Europe.

[peterdamian]

Just started driving in the UK for the first time. The easiest trick i use in figuring which lane is the right one, is that the passenger's seat should be closest to the curb. This has eased my confusion a 100x

[pellelindbergh]

I feel like having a nervous breakdown just watching this. I don't even know how you're talking to the camera and not crashing. Lol

[davidflack]

With so many driving games out there now on consoles and PCs I am surprised nobody has brought out a simulator to let you practice on driving on the opposite side of the road to the one you are used to.

[gspaulsson]

I spent about 10 years in the UK. Driving on the left was a bit strange at first, but it became second nature after about a week. But it took me three tries to pass my driving test, despite having driven for 20 years in Canada. The driving test is an exercise in choreography, which you really can't master without taking lessons, no matter how experienced you are. The narrow roads require a different driving style: you don't necessarily stay in your lane; for example, you may have to drive down the middle of the road to pass parked cars. And my driving instructor taught me to make use of information like reflections in shop windows to see around corners. The thing I found the most awkward, for some reason, was looking over my left shoulder when backing up. Driving on the left has one advantage that I could see: it makes more sense to have your right hand on the steering wheel and your left hand free to work the gearshift, unless you are left-handed.

[nickyl]

My biggest concern would be things that I do reflexively such as moving to the right to avoid a head-on collision

[Unusedmaterial]

This is exactly how I felt while driving in America

[jeffwalker]

Driving on the right hand side of the road is so rude - how can you shake hands with the chap coming in the opposite direction or defend yourself with your sword if he is a scoundrel.

[cheddars]

Just imagine the nightmare, if "left" and "right" meant the opposite also. lol

[danielsnell]

Never thought I'd see an american behind the wheel of a Peugeot! XD

[buggertheusername]

One suggestion that can help - it works for me - I suggest that if you drive on the opposite side of the road to which you are accustomed (Yanks in UK, or Brits in USA/Europe), that you drive with your window open and your arm resting on opening. This helps you drive with the opposite hand to which you will normally drive with, and mean that you have to "swap" arms to shift gears, and subconsciously will persuade your eyes to glance towards the mirror in the middle of the car. One thing that has always surprised me - that the accelerator/brake/(clutch) pedal arrangement is always the same, in both left hand and right hand drive cars, and not swapped round. I think that would really be confusing!

[McQueenPress]

I don't believe I'd be able to handle turning at the 4-way intersections. I can picture myself sitting there trying to figure out the physics and trajectory and the angle and a line of cars behind me, waiting for me to figure it out and beeping at me. And then in a last-minute rush, I drive over the curb.

[MrDaiseymay]

Many British driver's have had experience driving on the continent, perhaps once a year on a annual break, so it doesn't take too long to re-adjust. As always with these things--taking your time to observe, and think ahead, before you make a move, is best. Ignoring those behind you if possible--as it was when first learning to drive--not easy I know but ignore those idiots blowing their horns.

[williamrance]

While over on vacation from the UK, my wife and I drove from Brandon, Manitoba to Vancouver, then, over to Vancouver island and back over the Rockies via Banff to Brandon. We felt quite pleased by our achievement - driving on the right-hand side of the road. Our major problem was keeping to the low speed limits, identifying the 'one-way' street signs, and, most of all remembering not to press the foot brake with the left foot. Wow! first and only time - thank heavens for the seat belt! There was of course, the unexpected weight of American/Canadian built cars. Not only are they larger cars to UK/European cars - they are extremely heavy, stopping one in comparison to a British/European car is an eye-opener - it's like stopping a super-tanker - you need lots of space. Maybe that is why the speed limits are lower on US/Canadian highways. I came home with great respect for those automatic geared gas-guzzlers. After driving one of those, driving my own car was like driving a noddy car. Having said that, I have great respect for American and Canadian visitors 'mixing' it with the locals on UK roads. It's the roundabouts that confuses our cousins', they just don't have them in their daily lives, and I guess I get confused with them too, from time to time. Happy motoring, wherever you are!

[max-]

After driving like a "pro" for about 20 years in India and just yesterday i drove for the first time in America and i almost felt like I've never driven a car before.

[UKMessi]

being from the uk must feel so weird to drive in american car in america, i so get where hes comin from

[Silvera-Avian]

Remember on roundabouts to follow lanes correctly. That generally means 'peeling out' as you reach your exit. In a two-lane roundabout, use the right-hand lane to go right and the left-hand lane to go left or straight on. It's important so you don't block people trying to get off at their exits unnecessarily.

[morinidave]

Good to hear you say more than once, "driving on the oppersite side of the road" rather than the wrong side of the road! as other U.S. commentors have said...

[tahliamckay]

I don't even drive but this is giving me anxiety

[mrwhoannon]

In from the UK but I live in California, driving in the UK is a lot harder, a lot more rules and smaller roads + driving manual. While driving in the US is so easy, the test as well was a breeze to pass

[ScottPC]

Im from England and I think driving in the us is so much easier to change to!