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Driving in GB
In the UK we drive on the left hand side of the road - you’ll have to change gears with your left hand. If this is the opposite side to the one you are used to, it might be worth considering hiring an automatic car.
If the prospect of driving on this side concerns you please bear in mind that all roads in the UK are engineered for driving on the left so the chances of you entering a traffic circle (the British call these roundabouts) or intersection (road junctions) from the wrong side are pretty narrow.
If you still feel nervous about driving in a foreign country, start off slowly - begin on the smaller roads and build your confidence up to the larger roads before hitting the UK motorways (similar to freeways, expressways and interstates). Thousands of visitors enjoy driving in the UK and Ireland, happily and safely, every year.
UK Speed limits
Speed limits in the UK are measured in MPH (Miles Per Hour)
Motorways 70mph
Urban stretches 60mph
Dual carriageways 70mph
Outside built-up areas 60mph
Built-up areas 30 mph
Town and city centres are now armed with speed cameras that will capture your licence plate number and automatically generate a fine if they catch you driving above the limit. If you see a yellow sign with a picture of a camera on it, a digital speed camera will be watching you within about 200 yards.
Motorways
Motorways (similar to freeways, expressways and interstates) are designed to help you get your destination as quickly and safely as possible. The normal rule is to use the left-hand lane unless you are overtaking, by pulling out in to the middle lane. The right hand lane of the motorway is the fast lane. Allow plenty of time for your actions on the motorway. Consider every move carefully, especially if you are used to driving on the opposite side of the road, before starting any manoeuvre.
It is important to familiarise yourself with the UK road signs .
Country
Small meandering roads are common in rural Britain. Throughout the British countryside, hedgerows are used instead of fences to divide fields. On narrow roads, they can often prevent you from seeing what's immediately ahead. They are also home to a number of common British wildlife such as Rabbits, Foxes, hedgehogs, and will screen the occasional herd of deer (depending on the location and season) With probably only enough room for one car you will need to watch out for passing points along the way that you can pull into.
Parking
Most towns and villages have Pay and Display parking which costs 20p - 50p pence an hour. As the term would suggest, you pay for your parking at a parking machine, which will then issue you a ticket to display on your car. You can also park on streets with single yellow lines after parking restrictions are lifted - usually after 6pm, but never park on a double yellow line.
UK Driving Licence
If you have a Driving Licence issued in another country you can drive a car in the UK. All drivers must comply with British minimum age requirements of 17 years for cars and motorcycles, 18 years for medium sized vehicles and 21 years for large lorries and buses.
Generally, all license holders in the EC and European Economic Area plus Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Falkland Islands, Hong Kong, Japan, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Zimbabwe, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are entitled to drive for at least 12 months, provided the full license remains valid. If you want to continue driving in the UK after those 12 months you must apply to exchange your license for a GB one before this 12-month period ends.
