Is there a place in the UK that will teach us to drive on the left? And if so, can I use my USA license?

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Pontac

Suggest you do not rent a car at the airport.

Biggest problem when driving on 'other' side of the road is when you make a turn. Its easy to go to the wrong side of the road if the road is empty of other traffic.

The Highway Code is a useful government publication that contains the driving laws, pictures and explanations of all the signs etc, that all new drivers learn. You can buy it through amazon.co.uk and it is online at http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/

This personal site by an American has amusing and (mostly) accurate information and tips http://www.rotorbrain.com/foote/follies/ukdriving.htm on driving in UK.

Driving schools in UK concentrate on training new drivers to pass the test, but should be no problem tobook a 'refresher class' with them, the two leading national schools are BSM - http://www.bsm.co.uk and The AA http://www.theaa.co.uk

chris_p26

Yes the US driving license is valid for driving rental cars in the UK. Driving on the left is not difficult, takes a little time to organise your brain but if i can drive on both left and right (living in Mex.) im sure you can too. Happy journey!

CeceliaMarie

As an American who has driven a car aound the UK, the best help I received in driving on the left hand side, was a huge sticker plastered to the center of the dashboard which read "STAY TO THE LEFT" with a big arrow pointing to the left. Try and round up one of those, and avoid "boinkers"!

pniccimiss

Yes you can use your American driving license, as long as the car rental place has your travel details in case you're stopped by police and they need confirmation of who you are and the length of time you're staying in the country. There is nowhere that you can get instruction in driving on the left - just choose your manual or automatic car, find a quiet car park somewhere if that's at all possible, and practice! That's what most people do, but as long as you take it relatively slowly and get to know the layout of the car, you should be fine. Good luck!

Q,way

you can use your licence over here and if you want any training to drive on the left ,you can go to any training schools and they will give you a refresher course for a fee .it is easyer to drive on the left than you think .have a great time here you will love it good luck

hoochiemama2000_uk

You can use your US driving license for up to a year in the UK without a problem.

As for lessons, if you just ask any driving instruction company in the UK, they should be happy to give you a few lessons, to get the jist of it, but it does cost I'm afraid!

Just check out driving schools on www.yell.com, and they should give you website and contact information.......and don't worry, we are ready for anything, you should see some of the people on the road!

marianddoc

Like everyone else said, yes your American license is OK for a visit.

Driving on the left seems quite natural after only a short time, don't forget that you'll be driving the same way everyone else is, just basically doing what everyone else is doing.

The British road system is very well maintained (by US standards) and all the roads are well marked. All roads are numbered. The fewer digits in the number, the larger the road. The M6. for example, is like an interstate highway in the US. A road with four digits is usually quite small and narrow. There are many roads that are too narrow in places for two cars to pass, especially in rural areas. These roads will have turnouts spaced aways apart so that there will be room for two cars going in opposite directions to pass. Try and remember how far behind you each one is as you pass it. If two cars meet, it is the obligation of the one closest to a turnout or driveway to back up to the turnout and let the other pass. The Brits are very good about this and you should try to be also.

Do play particular attention to roundabouts (here in the US we call 'em traffic circles). Roundabouts are EVERYWHERE in England and you MUST know the correct way to navigate them. A roundabout occurs where two or more roads meet. Instead of a traffic light, there will usually be a roundabout. First, traffic already in the roundabout (on your right) has the right of way, you must yield to them. Second, if several roads come together, there will be signs before the roundabout showing where each road's exit from the roundabout is. Try to position your car so that it will be easier and safer (meaning fewest lane changes) to reach the correct exit. If your exit is on the left of the roundabout, stay left; to the right, try and stay right, etc.

When you get to an intersection that is not controlled by a roundabout, such as a T intersection, remember what lane you belong in BEFORE you turn (made that mistake myself).

You will find the British to be careful, attentive drivers. They actually pay attention to driving when behind the wheel, unlike Americans. You won't see them eating, applying makeup. etc. If you are reasonably careful, you can pretty much count on the Brits to notice any mistakes you might make and adjust accordingly. They are, in general, excellent and courteous drivers. Try to drive like they do and you shouldn't have any problems.

Warning, if you've never been there before, much of the country is astonishingly beautiful and it can be difficult to keep your eyes on the road.

Hope you enjoy your visit as much as we enjoyed ours. Wish we could move there.

engineer

Your US licence is fine for six months, after that you are no longer a tourist and have to apply for a british one... I drive all over Europe regularly and find no trouble at all converting between left and right..... dont stress over it, just give it a go... nothing to it.

executioner_bolan

Every place that teaches driving here teaches on the left idiot !!As long as your Yankee licence is valid you can use it to hire one of our Left driving motorcars.

me j

your us license is all you need

Rebecca Q

Keep your passenger in the gutter, rent an automatic (instead of stick shift), and make your first driving attempts in a small city - not in a big city! You really don't need driving lessons - just a bit of practice.

Since the driver sits in the right hand seat (instead of the left as we do it in the USA), the driver is towards the center of the road, and the passenger is on the left ie side of the road ie the gutter :)

Your controls are reversed also - turn signal on right and wiper blades on left of steering column. When the Brits see your windshield wiper blades going instead of your turn signal, they will know you are a Yank or used to driving on "the other side" of the road. But it isn't any big deal - you'll get the hang of it.

Just as you wouldn't practice driving skills in NYC or downtown Los Angeles, don't pick up your car in London. Pick it up in a smaller city or town in the morning when you are well rested, and drive around for a while. When in doubt, follow the car ahead of you - may get lost for a bit, but you will have fun, and gain confidence quickly.

veggiekayak

I suppose you could book a one off driving lesson in the uk..... or even ask the car rental place.

There was a device on Top Gear (car show) that had a device you plugged into your cigarette lighter, and it reminded you to drive on the correct side of the road. ( ok this was for france, but am sure if you looked up on gadgets you would find one for left hand driving)

You may get the drift when u have a hired car, as we sit on the right!

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