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Driving in a foreign country can be a challenge for North Americans visiting destinations where driving on the other side of the road is standard. It can be especially challenging when most rental cars feature manual transmission, a gear-shifting system rejected by the overwhelming majority of U.S. and Canadian drivers.
A vacation is not an ideal time to learn how to drive a stick shift, especially if you’re also getting used to driving on the left side of the road instead of the right. The U.K. and Ireland are among 76 countries that drive on the left-hand side of the road. Other left-side drive countries include India, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Bahamas, Bermuda and many more.
Following are the tips, tricks and pitfalls from the most experienced travelers in the world to help you adapt to driving on the left-hand side of the road:
Black sand beach in Vik, Iceland. Photo by Adam Jang, Unsplash
Rent a Car with an Automatic Transmission.
If you’re not used to driving on the left side of the road, it might be easier to rent a car with an automatic transmission. You won’t have to worry about shifting gears with your left hand, and you can focus on driving on the left side of the road.
“I drive a manual transmission car in the U.S. so when I first drove one in London, I had to get used to the stick shift on my left. Thankfully the shift pattern is the same in the U.K as it is in the U.S.,” said Bill McIntyre, the Global Rescue communications director who has rented cars in seven different counties.
Take Time to Practice and Keep Your Distance.
Before driving on busy roads or highways, take some time to practice driving on the left side of the road in a quiet area. This will help you get used to the new perspective and build your confidence. Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, especially when driving on highways or in heavy traffic. This will give you enough time to react if something unexpected happens.
“Lane changes in Africa look a whole lot different than Kansas and could get you arrested in America. Some countries are like the Wild West and have no rules at all. Whenever possible, travelers should hire local, trusted transportation.
Automobile accidents pose the largest risk to travelers across the world. One of the best ways to mitigate that risk is to avoid driving altogether,” said Adam Bardwell, a Global Rescue security operations supervisor and former Army Special Forces veteran.
Formentor Lighthouse, Pollenca, Spain. Photo by Fabian Schneidereit, Unsplash
Use GPS or a Map and Follow the Traffic Flow.
Make sure you have a GPS or a map with you to help you navigate. Familiarize yourself with the route before setting off. It’s easy to get disoriented when driving on the left side of the road, especially when you’re not familiar with the area.
Do a map study to increase your confidence, and improve your ability to concentrate on safe driving. Try to follow the flow of traffic and stay in the left lane unless you need to overtake or turn right. This will help you avoid confusion and make your driving experience much smoother.
Navigating roundabouts is a big challenge when learning to drive on the left-hand side of the road, said Charles McCarthy, a Global Rescue associate marketing manager reflecting on a trip he took to South Africa. “In the U.S., we head right in a counterclockwise direction, but in countries where you drive on the left-hand side of the road, you enter roundabouts to the left and drive clockwise.
I was lacking a general familiarity with them, compounded especially by multi-lane roundabouts, which were everywhere on the major routes.”
Driving on the left side of the road can be challenging for North Americans, but with practice and patience, it can be done safely and effectively.
Driving on the Right Side of the Road
The challenges for travelers who are used to driving on the left side of the road but have to switch to driving on the right side of the road in North America are similar. Following are tips to overcome the distinctions:
The United States has different driving laws and road signs than many other countries, which can be confusing for foreign drivers who are not familiar with them. For example, speed limits are typically posted in miles per hour rather than kilometers per hour. There are also different rules for turning, passing and merging.
The road layout in the United States is different from many European countries. For example, many American roads have multiple lanes and are wider than European roads. This can be intimidating for European drivers who are not used to driving on such roads.
Bath, United Kingdom. Photo by James Shaw, Unsplash
American cars are typically larger and more powerful than many European cars. This can be intimidating for European drivers who are not used to driving such vehicles, especially if they are used to driving smaller cars.
Overall, driving on the right side of the road can be difficult for anyone used to driving on the left side of the road, and vice versa. Again, practice and patience are the keys to minimizing the challenges so you can enjoy the drive and your travels.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit?
The countries that require an International Driving Permit (IDP) can vary, and it depends on the country you plan to visit and your country of origin. An IDP issued by AAA is a booklet that translates your driver’s license into multiple languages and that can make things easier for you and the police officer if they do not speak your language.
The U.K., Ireland, and Cyprus do not require an IDP for visitors who hold a driver’s license from most countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Most European countries recognize and accept the IDP including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, India and China.
If you live in the United States or Canada, you can get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).
Be aware that specific requirements can vary based on each destination, so it’s best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit to confirm whether you need an IDP. Some rental car companies may require an IDP, even if it’s not legally required in the country you’re visiting. Check with your rental car company to see if they have any specific requirements.
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Author Bio: Harding Bush is a former Navy SEAL and senior manager for security operations at Global Rescue, the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services. Bush has driven manual and automatic transmission automobiles in dozens of left-side driving countries.
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