Next year we’ll be celebrating our 40th anniversary and have begun planning a return trip to Ireland and also planning on touring Scotland as well. Last time we were in Ireland we did a train/bus tour and hired a driver. I’d like to rent cars and drive in both countries. I assume there are Forum members who have driven on the left side of the road before; I’m wondering if it’s difficult for someone who has only driven on the right to safely drive over there, both city and countryside.

Both my spouse and I had zero difficulties with the British rules of the road.

Depends on your skills. I had trouble in Jamaica with right hand drive. People walking in the road and roundabouts made it worse. If you have good perceptual motor skills and it is not heavy traffic you should do fine.

Keep saying to yourself: “Stay left, stay left, …,” especially at intersections and circles.

Although it may not be an option, I found it a help to start with a couple of days away from the big urban areas to get used to it. But the only real mistake I made was after I’d pulled off in a rural area and there was no traffic when I started again—on the right side.

I did the same in New Zealand: drove out of town as soon as I picked up the rental car.
Remembering to look the “wrong” way at an intersection and go the “wrong” way around roundabouts was hard. S was watching for pedestrians. Gets easy after a while but you have to keep reminding yourself to keep left.

I have rented cars when traveling in the UK on several occasions. Driving on the wrong side was a bit challenging at first, but my wife and I got used to it. The roads in the country are very narrow.

We buy full coverage insurance every time. It is nearly as expensive as the rental; but worth it. Twice we handed back the keys with cars that needed new passenger side mirrors. Would my own auto insurance have covered it - probably. But a local claim is enough of a pain, I cringe at the thought of an international one.

Another thing to consider is the ability to sightsee. That is not something I can do if I am driving a car, much less one with right hand drive. Driving is dangerous, that is why ex Presidents are not allowed to drive on public roads.

The motorway is no big deal. "A" roads are ok but the roundabouts take some concentration.

Some of the rules, signs, and roadway markings are very different, so study up.

Villages are a real challenge! Many roads are quite narrow, and the locals drive fast (they want to get every penny's worth out of the high cost of driving). Parking can be a real challenge.

The biggest threat is reacting automatically when something happens unexpectedly. It is very easy to move to the wrong side of the road.

My preference is to not drive when I'm in the UK. Public transport and Uber/Lyft are generally very available.

I've driven often on my business trips. But not so often its regular and ingrained. No specific issues other than roundabouts at night by yourself. In London I'd rather not, but in the country have at it. And driving a stick is a bit annoying (I normally drive one so its not the stick part its which hand that does the work), I'd avoid that if possible.
Unless you are exceptionally timid in real life driving in the US you will be fine.

I have driven in Ireland many times. Once you are out of Dublin, traffic isn’t bad. I just have to stay focused. There is no room for error. Driving does take away the ability to watch the scenery, but the freedom it brings to go and see what you want is worth it, to me. I totally agree on the full insurance. Definitely worth it.

Takes a day or two to get used to it. Highly recommend spending the extra money for an automatic transmission.

Wrong side of the road was easy.
Wrong side of the car was the hard part for me.
Roads are narrow as fuck compared to the wide ass lanes we have here.

Keep left, look right. Just keep that thought. Especially the “look right”!
Keep left, LOOK RIGHT!

Yep yell at yourself constantly. Any distractions turn them off. Turn off radio, anyone in the car yapping, stop it. If you focus you’ll acclimate fast. And you need to. Where you are going, there are incredible B roads. I mean really amazing roads you’ll regret not driving and not having a decent handling car to do it. Tons of “hire cars” over there that handle well so no need to spend big bank. Gas is bank so getting a smaller well handling car pays dividends.

Most folks do the tourist thing in the big cities walking around. I’d rather go rural country B roads, and stay at inns. Less people, less bullshit. If you can take advantage of those B roads in England, Scotland, and Ireland, do it. Just don’t be surprised if someone goes by you hauling the mail on a bike or in a faster car. I trust those drivers 100X more than ones here. You’ll get the left lane driving down quick. It’s like anything the first time, take your time, focus. And enjoy it.

You've developed a sense of proximity of your position in the drivers seat and the rest of the car, most importantly, the right front wheel. This skill won't immediately apply to the left front wheel when you are put into a driver seat on the right side. Your ability to judge left wheel distance to edge of road and curb, won't be as good as this opposite side ability you already have.

The first thing the agent inspecting the rental return after a week in 2000 in England, Scotland and Wales, was the left front tire. They expect you'll bash the curb at some point. I did pretty well with this, and didn't do any damage and get any additional charges. Pretty sure rental agencies assume Americans suck at driving, and will mess something up.

Strangely difficult for me was use of mirrors in locations I'm not used to. I don't know any way to remedy the mirror and left wheel distance relearning, but maybe being aware of it could help. I also think forced learning of those skills in the UK, messed up some of those skills I had when I returned to US driving.

I landed at Gatwick and planned to drive to Bristol, but was so freaked out by the traffic, I just decided to head west into lower congestion areas. I had never been in a roundabout before leaving the airport, and didn't know the rules.

GPS will really help the adjustment, but get a road atlas beforehand, and become familiar with your initial route. Also have your navigator become familiar with your initial route. It is important to not be distracted by navigation when you are relearning some driving skills.

Gas is apparently about $7.40/gallon (almost $2/liter) so be prepared for that, and fill car before you return it and before you get to the airport.

I relied on insurance supposedly provided by Visa/Mastercard, but I don't know if this still works or is the best way to do that.

quote:

Originally posted by Green Highlander:
Takes a day or two to get used to it. Highly recommend spending the extra money for an automatic transmission.

I live here in UK, and can advise you that there is no extra cost in hiring an auto with an auto.

These days it's about a 50/50 choice.

And don't fuss yourself about filling up, apart from the fact that here diesel pumps are BLACK - gas or diesel is sold by the litre, something that we all ignore. We just fill 'er up. And I mean that - YOU do it. I've not seen a gas-pumper in this country since I was knee-high, although no doubt they still exist.

A few points to be wary about - in no real order -

1. So-called 'white-van man' - seen everywhere, they break the speed limits, drive recklessly and without consideration, and can be a RPITA. Stay clear.

2. We have a standing joke about BMW drivers, who assume that other drivers are either there to stop them enjoying the joys of motoring fast, IOW - a moving chicane, or mind-readers who just knew that they were going to cut across six lanes of highway for the slip road - your off-ramp.

3. You will see hundreds of vehicles from places that, for you, are just names in an atlas. They ALL [apart from the odd Irish] are left-hand drive, and will need watching out for, especially on motorways and major roads, where they may not be able to see you in their rear-view mirrors. Just remember that if you can't see THEIR mirrors, they can't see you.

4. A red L on the front and back of a car means that the driver is a learner - take care.

5. A green P on a car means that that have recently passed their driving test - give them space.

I suggest that you watch a few Youtube movies about driving in UK, especially from the American doc, Mac, who came to live here a couple of years ago - he's great news for anybody coming over - we love him and his lovely family. Take a look at what he has to say - you'll be glad of his advice.

https://www.youtube.com/c/9B4MTheFamily

If you are going to be anywhere near Alconbury, send me an email!

Watch out for roundabouts.

quote:

Originally posted by CA DuckHunter:
I have rented cars when traveling in the UK on several occasions. Driving on the wrong side was a bit challenging at first, but my wife and I got used to it. The roads in the country are very narrow.

We buy full coverage insurance every time. It is nearly as expensive as the rental; but worth it. Twice we handed back the keys with cars that needed new passenger side mirrors. Would my own auto insurance have covered it - probably. But a local claim is enough of a pain, I cringe at the thought of an international one.

My experience in Ireland, exactly. Get the full coverage insurance! Our rental car had a few, uh, scuffs on it, and was missing the left mirror. The roads out in the country and in small towns are very narrow.

I was stationed in England a while back. Driving on the left side is easy to handle. Putting a small post-it on the dash with an arrow pointing left to remind me helped. Round-abouts were everyone's concern. Find a video or two on how to use them, and you will find them very easy and in most places a better alternative to the intersections we're used to.

Tac, isn't there a booklet available that explained the UK's rules of the roads? I know that helped me. Maybe it is a downloadable .pdf?

Thanks very much to everyone who responded, lots of good advice. Once again, I appreciate being a member of this community.