Driving on the Left Side of the Road: My First Experience

For most Americans, driving comes as second nature. In fact, it’s one of the few daily activities that you don’t have to think twice about. But what happens when you get behind the wheel in a foreign destination? The traffic laws that you’ve become so easily accustomed to could either apply or be completely irrelevant. Just imagine — steering wheels on the right side of a car. Different red, yellow, and green light configurations. Or perhaps driving on the left side of the road. Anything out of the ordinary could throw you for a loop in a matter of minutes. On a recent trip to England, I learned firsthand that renting a car in a foreign land brought along its own set of challenges and rewards.

While it all seemed daunting at first, the open road sparked my curiosity for adventure and granted a tremendous opportunity to see sights and off the beaten path destinations that I would have normally skipped over. Soon into my trip, I learned some tips that could help other drivers who dare to take on the challenge themselves.

What I learned from driving on the opposite side of the road

The destination was London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland with a total drive range of 411 miles each way. After picking up the rental car at Heathrow Airport, my friends and I drove directly into the heart of London, which was my first taste of driving on the left side of the road. Although the United Kingdom is etched together by a series of trains, buses, and low-cost flights, the idea of renting a car this trip offered a new sense of adventure. In just 7 days, we traveled from start to finish ( a total of 2o hours give or take) in a fuel-efficient Kia Niro and saw a number of unforgettable sights along the way.

Here are the insights I learned from driving on the left side of the road: 

Take a moment to review traffic laws

At first, I was so eager to get on the road that my initial thoughts were, “Well, I’ll just wing it”. It didn’t take long, however, for me to realize along with the other passengers on my trip, that driving on the opposite side does not come easy. Every street light, highway entrance, or unconventional roadway required extra focus and awareness. I quickly registered that it’s not so much whether or not you can adapt to driving on the left side, it’s more so how well you do it.

Take it as my biggest recommendation to get acquainted with your destination’s traffic laws. It might seem like a waste of time but it’s actually a surefire way to have more confidence while driving on the left side of the road. Even the simplest of things, like who has the right of way, can cause major confusion if you’re not informed. That is why you can’t go wrong with a little research beforehand, especially if you anticipate long drive times.

In England (in particular) many roadways and even highways intersect at circular roundabouts. Whereas in the U.S., most drivers are used to changing  lanes or directions at a traditional stop light. While these roundabouts seem straight-froward for the average driver, it’s another story when you’re driving on the opposite side of the road. Believe it or not, these circular roundabouts are often more than a 4 way traffic circle. Many in the UK have up to 5 to 7 entrances and exits.

Use GPS to your advantage

Some time ago, the only way to navigate a foreign country was with a paper map in hand. Luckily, those days are well behind us and we can now rely on our mobile device to get from Point A to B with step-by-step directions. Not to mention, some rental cars come equipped with easy-to-use GPS navigation built -in. The bottom line here is GPS is the one thing in your favor. When you’re driving on the left side of the road, especially for the first time, having both a visual and audio instruction of where to go is crucial. Make sure other distractions do not get in the way of your mapping instructions and you’ll always have a crystal clear idea of where you’re going.

Expect a mistake (or two)

Whether you think you’re the best driver in the world or can handle any type of challenge, there is still a good chance you’ll encounter a moment of panic on your journey. This could entail a wrong turn into a one way street or simply forgetting to remain on the left side of the road. Whatever frightening scenario you run into, remember to keep control. Mistakes certainly will happen, but the best way to avoid harming other drivers is to safely pull over or get out of harms way. Take a minute or two to regroup. Then get back on track with a clearer mindset.

Final thoughts on driving on the left side of the road

In short, if driving is not your strong suit at home, don’t assume it will be any easier somewhere else.  There are 76 countries out of the 195 countries in the world that drive on the left side of the road. If you so choose to visit one of those destinations, we recommend preparing with a little research ahead of time. Or at least, keep these three tips in mind. After all, driving on the left side of the road is well worth it once you get to see all the hidden gems a foreign country has to offer. For my friends and I, it was a trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to drive on the left side sometime again!

Have you ever driven on the opposite side of the road? We’d like to hear about your experience and what tips helped you navigate the change.