Driving in the U.K.
 

Considering taking a road through Ireland and Scotland. If you’ve driven in these countries I’d like to know your experience in getting accustomed to driving on the left. Our plan is to cover a good portion of each country.

Muscle memory is the worst problem. Our son and DIL have lived in Australia for 15 years, and they still feel in an emergency situation their muscle memory from driving in the US might take over. (It hasn't yet, but they've caught themselves about to experience it.)
If you are renting a car, consider that in a manual transition car, you will be working the gearshift with your left hand. Pedals are the same as the States. Renting an automatic is usually more expensive but worth it.

I have done it several times over the years. I was apprehensive but I was amazed at how easy it was to adjust. Even with a manual transmission, I found shifting with my left hand very natural. And the gas pedal is for the right foot! And it easy to adjust to driving on the left side.

Biggest problem will be driving narrow roads. Also, auto insurance is a big hassle in Ireland. Your credit card covers you in most countries - but not in Ireland!

I, too, would recommend an automatic, whatever the extra costs.
Also, our compacts cars are small, so full size would be best. SUV would be better all round visibility as well.
Rural roads are narrow, and most Motorways (Freeways) are busy.
You have to pay for most parking sites, and parking spots are a lot narrower than you will be used to. Personally, I always reverse into spaces, but nose in is fine.
Satnav is a must.
Some roundabouts are just painted circles on the road, so look for a sign denoting roundabout ahead. Navigating is the same as US, except you give way to the right.
Will be strange at first, but within a couple of days you will be fine.
Enjoy your holiday.

My advice (for what it's worth is, keep your mind on driving! If you feel comfortable, you will relax and that is when your mind drifts, old habits emerge and bad things happen. Stay Alert! Stay Aware!
Hope you have a safe and wonderful journey!

Keep your distances short each day - to enjoy the trip and so as not to get too tired - and rent the smallest (automatic) car with which you feel comfortable.

Think about the narrow southern back roads, then imagine there could be livestock right in the middle of the road around every corner just to make it interesting.

If you aren’t comfortable drive stick here, definitely pay the big bucks for automatic. By day two you will be a pro

When I rented a car there, I had to keep focused ALL the time. Not much opportunity to gaze out the window at the passing country side.

I found the most of the rental cars were manual transmission and although I knew how to drive a stick shift, I had forgotten how difficult it was to start from a stop going up a hill. I finally figured out to use the hand emergency brake as an aid to prevent rolling backwards. I also found that I frequently looked up and to the right out the door when I intended to look at the rear view mirror, where the mirror is on our cars. And one of the hardest things was judging how to pull into a 90 degree parking place with the steering wheel on the "opposite" side of the car. But after a week, I became more comfortable and handled everything but the REALLY narrow roads in the country side.

That is why I recommend reversing into parking spaces.

I have driven over there several times. You will get used to the right hand drive pretty quickly but there is a tendency to drift to the left side (outside) of the lane. This may create an issue with your left side view mirror. Make sure you have a GPS. The last time we had a Garmin which did not require cellular access (preloaded with all data). The roads outside the major cities can be quite narrow by US standards. I have always had a manual transmission. You may want to search for an automatic unless you are very comfortable with a manual. You may want to sign up for $0 deductible insurance. It will be costly but you turn in the car and walk away if you have any damage. Again, some of the roads can be narrow and the tendency to drift left can bring curbs into play. Do not drink and drive. The last time we rented with Eurocar.

It’s a lot easier to get accustomed to in Europe because the drivers side of the car is on the right. It’s much more difficult in the US Virgin Islands, where the drivers side of the car is on the left and you drive on the left side of the road and the roads are very narrow, hilly, and often without guard rails.

I found it easiest to keep a very simple saying in my mind - "keep the middle of the road on my side of the car".

The first sentence is key. When an potential emergency arises our tendency to "bail out" to the right is the wrong thing to do. Having said that - I drove in Scotland and Ireland for a few weeks and got by. Apparently "fecking igit" is a compliment in Ireland.

Did Scotland from Heathrow this past summer for two weeks, and did Ireland last summer for 10 days. England's roads are very advanced, wide enough with lots of painted directions. Use SATNAV everywhere, and realize that the SATNAV works on Postal Codes, so you can get to the exact area, but maybe not the exact location, which might mean driving around slowly looking around. Make sure you go slowly at first, to get used to driving on the left. Go slow in roundabouts as getting in the correct lane at the start gets you off at the correct exit by just following the lanes. In the cities, Edinburg, London, stay in the suburbs near train stations, and take the train into the areas you want to explore. Driving in the cities is not the easiest, especially when looking for parking spaces.

Look up and print off the local signage meanings. We were often curious what all the different signs mean. Also, speed cameras are an occasional occurrence, just keep to the speed limit. I have driven a manual transmission all my life, from 16 though 63 y/o, but I won't do left side of road AND left hand stick, so I paid for a standard every time we went. daily route planning prior to leaving the US, using google maps, will be a big help to give you a distance and time to destination estimate to plan your travel times

The first habit to overcome is to look RIGHT, when making a left hand turn onto the left side of the road.

Ireland is a way different country. Why more people aren't killed daily driving in Ireland is beyond me. It does require a bunch of focus if you are tired, as you will fall back to US habits more easily. The count of numbers is the class of Highway. M4 is a class 1 highway, comparable to the US interstates. Occasionally there are tolls which take credit cards. . N71 roads are usually wide two+ lanes, one each way or more. R604 are narrow two lane roads, which has the passenger looking at death the entire time, hitting curbs with tires and branches from bushes reinforces that sentiment. Any road with 4 number is only an oxen cart wide, may have to stop for the afternoon milking as the cows cross the lane, and look for pull offs for meeting other cars.

good luck, but both countries are very easy to deal with the locals. Many have very strong ties to New England, and the US, and most are up on the intl news. When people asked where we were from, i would commonly replay with "We are 1776 expats"

have fun!

Reminds me of National Lampoons European Vacation. Chevy Chase character trying to exit a roundabout.....”Hey kids, there’s Big Ben....Hey Kids, there’s Big Ben!”

On second thought, it may have been what I see at a TV roundabout!

OP, our roundabouts are the perfect proving/practice grounds for your trip!
Safe travels!

We drove through Scotland. It was the job of the one not driving to say “left” to the driver every time we got into the car. The hardest item for us was to remember to go left around the roundabouts. I second the idea of getting an automatic. Worrying about stalling while remembering to stay left would be a challenge.

A red traffic light means stop - no turning even if it's clear to do so

I am here now, but not driving myself. There are many, many roundabouts, and I think it would be quite challenging to enter in the opposite direction. Very narrow rods, which is fine, but also lots of trucks and busses. I would think you would need to be particularly vigilant. Would that not impede your sightseeing along the way?

Don't!
 

Don't do it! I travel internationally frequently for business. I NEVER drive in a country on the left. If you need to quickly react, you most definitely correct to the right side. There are MANY deaths due to this. Do yourself a massive favor and spend the extra money for a driver. Good luck and stay safe!

I spent a school year at Oxford without driving at all. Walking, busses, and trains were enough. I was about thirty-five when I first drove in the UK. I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve driven several hundred miles in Scotland. My first time behind the wheel, coming out of a multi-lane roundabout, I brushed a high curb with a hubcap, which ripped the hubcap off the car. That cost me about £250 when I turned in the rental car a couple weeks later, at a time in my life when that was about a week’s pay after taxes.

While I did eventually get used to driving on the left, it took constant vigilance. There’s a tendency for your mind to think should be farther left than it should be. Your driving position is like being in the passenger position here. I’m rarely in that position, and the highway looks different from there.

I’d say do not rent an SUV “for better visibility”, as that extra width can be scary and dangerous on many roads. It will also make you unhappy when you have to refill the tank. A smaller car is better. Not necessarily the smallest, but the smallest that is comfortable enough.

I found driving in the UK made me tense. There were places where the country roads were adequate for relaxing, but many were not.

Was stationed there for 9 years. Wonderful place. WAs natural since Im left handed. So easy since one doesn’t cut across traffic. Roundabouts ate the opposite and that will take getting used too. Steering wheel will be on the proper side, right. Some roads are narrow and bridges go down to one way. Just be carful as driving at The Villages.

I can’t speak to driving in Ireland but driving in Scotland is easy. Advice given earlier about using automatic transmission is sound. It’s just less for you to worry about.
Quick advice- do not drink anything and drive. Very strict drinking laws.
Do not speed. There are cameras everywhere and you will be ticketed and the rental company will bill you the fine and large admin fees.
Always overtake on the right, never the left. It’s illegal and is considered very bad driving.
In Scotland there are many one lane roads but plenty of lay-bys. The car closest to a lay-by hops into his first so there’s no need to back up. You will find the locals very courteous and then you wind up with you go, no you go signals.
It is acceptable to park in the opposite direction in a parking space on a street. Parallel parking is common and the spaces can be tight, unlike TV.
The quality of driving in the UK is far superior to here. I drive 1000 to 2000 miles a year there. I have seen one accident in five years. Their driving test is difficult to pass.
One thing that I love about driving there is they control the speed on the motorways according to weather and traffic conditions which means you don’t get multi-car accidents or long traffic tailbacks (useful British word).
I sometimes rent from Enterprise and they will cover CDW in their price and they are reasonable.

Done it many times. First trip I miss judged the passenger side placement and shredded both tires on sharp granite curbing. Locals were quick to come to our aid. The roads are narrow, many lined by vegetation and you will see a line where passenger side mirrors have cut a grove in the vegetation. Very curvy but not difficult to handle. Many years before apps like Waze were available I bought a Garmin just to see what was ahead and around the many places visibility was restricted. You get used to it. After the first tire event all was good

Don’t drive in Ireland, multiple deaths. A relative of mine 12 years old just killed in my hometown Take a tour bus they are very comfortable

On August 5, 1987, while driving a rented car outside Tempo, Northern Ireland. Actor Matthew Broderick crossed into the wrong lane and collided head-on with another car. The driver, Anna Gallagher, 28, and her mother, Margaret Doherty, 63, were both killed instantly.

If you are a half decent driver in the US. you will be the same in the UK.
If you are used to a full size car in the US, you will have no problems with same in the UK.
There are thousands of US service personnel and families driving in the UK without a problem, especially where I live, some with left-hand drive vehicles, same as in the US.
If you are in large cities, leave the car at the hotel, and use public transport.
There are also plenty of local tour options at reasonable rates.
Ignore all the negative death and destruction Johnnies making the place sound like a Mad Max script.
Just be careful, same as you would wherever you drive.

Get used to of course driving on the left, shifting from the right seat(unless you pay a lot more for automatic) and narrow roads. It’s possible. I was the passenger and was always saying “ keep left, look right”.

At intersections and when entering onto a roadway first LOOK RIGHT !!!! (Not left) for traffic approaching in the near lane. Because they drive in the LEFT lane, there will NEVER be any traffic approaching from your left in that near lane. Constantly remind yourself to LOOK RIGHT, LOOK RIGHT to overcome your natural tendency in this country to look left for oncoming traffic.

Also, know that those beautiful hedgerows lining the left lane so close to the roadway that your driver’s side mirror carves a “bite” out of them - HIDE A VERY CLOSE and UNFORGIVING STONE WALL. It’s best to hug a little closer to the roadway centerline.

I travel to Australia for work twice a year, typically to Canberra and Brisbane, two very different size cities. Downtown Brisbane can be crowded, but like others have said, stay focused on driving, and just follow what others are doing --- at a safe distance.

We just came back fro a 16 day trip by bus thru both of this countries - would advise not to drive - take a CIE trip and see all the sights and leave the driving to someone else plus you have a guide and ALL arrangements are handled!! PM me with any questions !!

Rent a small automatic. Learn to look right for turns. Go the speed limit. Do be afraid to go around roundabout more than once to get off in the desired exit. Dont use the car in big cities. Stay to left except to pass on the highw

I've driven in Ireland a bunch. My best advice is to have a responsible navigator in the front passenger seat to handle directions, it takes a little pressure off the driver. I also enjoy driving manual so no problem for me with the left hand shift. I find it actually slows things down a bit and helps me connect with the road.

It's always good advice to take it slow at first. Have fun!

Many good comments above. Here are mine:
1) Definitely get an automatic and save yourself from the added difficulty.
2) Don't get a big car, get a smaller one. Country roads are beautiful but, amazingly narrow in many places and the locals will be frustrated if you drive like a slow poke plus you'd be likely to clock the left side mirror eventually. Plus, gas costs will surprise you even with a small car.
3) I didn't find that driving on the left side of the road took much getting used to. You know what did? Driving from the right side of the car. Eventually adapted but, the whole time, I kept looking rightward for the rearview mirror. It was easier in St Lucia where I was driving from the usual, left front seat and on the left side of the road.
4) It's true that your increased driving focus will prevent you from seeing as much along the way. You may want to consider only driving part of the trip and doing short tours (3 or 4 days) in some areas.

Bon voyage!

I also agree to rent a small automatic and have a good navigator. I would also buy a good road map because it helps to know the next town you are driving to when you come to the roundabouts. Just a little extra: In Scotland look for the kelpie statues on the side of the road.

Agree in advance with your travel mates that you will "drive out loud" each time you make a turn, go through a roundabout, etc. If each time the direction of your vehicle changes you have a brief conference with the others in the car to verify that you are on the correct side of the road, it will help ease your mind. I feel like every time I turn I need this check-in as it never really becomes natural. I would also consider avoiding the use of the car in cities - land, transfer to the city, spend the day or two there, transfer back to the airport and then get the car and head out to the countryside. A motorway or a country road are a lot less stressful than city driving.

This was my experience too.

We just returned. Put on almost 1000 miles over there. It was pretty easy to adapt. Some markings on the road are confusing at times but traffic ahead of you helps by observing. Be ready to find some very very narrow two way roads. I got some great advice that I used often from a driver taking us to our rental car. Don't be afraid to signal and pull over and let cars pass, they are used to driving faster on those curvy roads. He said do not carry their stress! Some of the larger roads have a shoulder to the left with a yellow dotted line that border them, he said it is ok to signal and slow and operate there to let a faster car pass. Good luck.

I've driven in both countries but more so in Ireland. I've driven both automatic and manual. I'd second what many others have suggested and rent an automatic. You'll have enough challenges to your concentration without trying to shift with your left hand.
There is a terrifying moment when you are on one of the narrow Irish country roads (maybe slightly wider than our cart paths) and see a truck or a bus coming in the opposite direction. I learned quickly that the safetist thing to do is just pull over to the left and let the large vehicle pass. When you hear the branches of the bushes hit the side of the car you'll know you've gone far enough ( don't try this with walls)
I remember after a trip to Ireland I told someone at work that I'd driven around the Ring of Kerry. He asked me if I'd gone around it clockwise or counter clockwise. I told him "clockwise" why do you ask? He tole me Americans were safer going the other way. If you go clockwise the cliff on the ocean is always directly to your leflt. Counter clockwise you're always on the inside.
I say go for it. If you can drive here you can drive there.

Consider watching a few YouTube videos to get used to seeing how things will look when actually driving on the left. Here's one to start:

Cheers!

Over there now. Met a 40s couple in a pub who were over here for 2 weeks. They turned in their car early and took train back to London. They said way too stressful. Some people don’t seem to mind.