Every year, millions of tourists head to the UK for their holidays or for business trips, and while the majority of them head to the bright lights of London there are many more locations which are notably popular. They include cities such as Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and Birmingham, and specific landmarks such as Stonehenge, the Giant’s Causeway and Blenheim Palace.
- Driving in the UKAdcuz / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND
In the centre of London, the best way to get from A to B is usually by riding the subway, known locally as the tube, but elsewhere in the country it might be more sensible to hire a car. Driving in any unfamiliar environment can be a little stressful at first, but in the UK it’s relatively easy and can often be somewhat relaxing. If you’re new to Britain’s roads, here are a few tips to bear in mind.
Safety is everything
In the UK, every driver and passenger is legally obliged to wear a seatbelt, so make sure you buckle up at all times. If a police officer sees you not using the belt, the chances are you will be stopped and you could be fined. As you might expect, it’s also illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, so it’s best to keep your cellphone switched off and out of reach.
Avoid peak hours
Britain has many areas which suffer from traffic problems during the morning and afternoon peak periods, so don’t just assume this is only a problem in and around London. If you are close to a town or city between 8.00 and 10.00 in the mornings or 4.00 and 6.00 in the afternoons, you should expect some congestion. If you can avoid these times, you should.
Watch your speed
There are differing speed limits on Britain’s roads, so make sure you are aware of them. In general, you must not go over 30mph on city streets, 50mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways. There are many exceptions to these rules, however, so be extra careful. With a vast number of traffic police and speed cameras on the roads, you may well be caught if you exceed these limits.
Be careful where you park
If you live in an area where car parking is generally free, you may be in for a nasty shock when you visit the UK. In most places, you will be expected to use only designated car parks and to pay a fee for the privilege. Many of them are what they call ‘pay and display’, where you have to buy a ticket (usually from a machine), and leave it clearly visible within the car itself. If you fail to do so, your vehicle could be clamped and you will be left with an expensive release charge.
Finally, the most obvious tip…
In Britain, motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road, unlike in the USA, Canada and in most of Europe, so be very careful when you first start to use a car in the UK. It may appear to be easy to remain on the correct side, but when you’re driving along an empty road at night it can become a little confusing.
David Showell has driven in the UK for thirty years. He works for http://www.carrentals.co.uk.
These tips are definitely accurate. My first trip to the UK could have used these! I was traveling in a less populated are and the speed limits were not posted as frequently as I would have liked. I got pulled over! Luckily I pulled the “tourist” card and was able to evade trouble!
Driving on the left hand side is crazy, it feels like everybody is going the wrong way, it takes time to get used to it but in a couple of rides everyone adjusts. Be patient if you´re getting in this adventure.
I thought the only difference was the side of the driving seat, but you really have to know what you´re doing as I see. I really liked the post, I´ll send the link to a friend of mine who will travel to London soon and will be there for several months.